Thatcham Town council agrees to support asylum seekers’ art classes

Thatcham Town Council has agreed to fund a workshop for asylum seekers staying in West Berkshire.

West Berkshire Action for Refugees has been supporting asylum seekers who have been staying in the Regency Park Hotel.

It has applied for £300 for three-months of art classes for those still in the hotel.

The project consists of six art workshops starting in October with two initially in the hotel and the remainder in the community.

The plan is to provide a safe space for asylum seekers and refugees to meet together and to learn basic techniques of painting and drawing.

It is also hoped that it will “alleviate boredom of living in temporary accommodation for many months”.

WBAR said the sessions offer support and positive mental wellbeing opportunities and allow asylum seekers to practice new language skills and use creativity to express themselves.

The charity hopes to display a sample of the artwork at the Thatcham Festival to raise awareness of these new residents in the community.

It hopes that this will also promote equality and tolerance.

Councillor and mayor of Thatcham Mark Lillycrop (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) said: “£300 seems a modest amount for the work that can be achieved there.”

Mike Cole (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East) added: “Since we welcomed them to the town we should remind ourselves they have thrown themselves into assisting the community with VIAN doing litter picking and considerable support they’ve given to council events in litter picking and man power.

“This is not a huge amount for the individuals concerned.

“The majority are highly intelligent people and it must be depressing to look at four walls all day

“I would be in favour of this proposal.”

A resident – and attendee of the meeting – pushed back, telling councillors that the project does not benefit residents of Thatcham.

But the council voted in favour of the bid.