We have been working with the Burslem Jubilee Project since 2015. The project provides support, companionship and activity for asylum seekers and refugees who are currently living in Stoke-on-Trent. We have worked with project leaders, Sheila Podmore and Dianne Yeadon, to devise meaningful projects that are an outlet for creativity, a way of getting to know others, that builds an appreciation of the heritage of the local area, and, most importantly, has a positive impact on wellbeing.

‘I feel powerful – I can make something. It gives me confidence.’

 – Burslem Jubilee group member

These projects have included:

• World In One City with artists Jasleen Kaur, Jo Ayre and Alice Thatcher, and B-Arts.
• Unbuttoned, which saw the women of the project work with local bone china flower makers and artist Jo Ayre to create a banner for the Processions event in London to celebrate 100 years of Votes for Women.
• Growing Cultures, a project exploring health and wellbeing, connected to a public health campaign around AMR. The group worked with ceramic artist Jo Ayre and writer Anjum Malik.