Local homeless people express themselves through art

5.08.47pm GMT Sat 28th Jun 2008

• An exhibition at the Richmond Council-run Stables Gallery, in which artwork by homeless people takes centre stage, has been hailed as inspirational.

SPEAR - a charity that works with homeless people in and around Richmond borough - has been working with the Twickenham gallery over the past five months to give clients the opportunity to express their experiences of homelessness. Monthly workshops have produced artworks in a number of mediums including digital photography, painting, poetry and sculpture. Feedback from those involved showed that activities were both therapeutic and creatively challenging. A number of the participants have gone on to sign up for other training courses including literacy skills. The exhibition runs from 26 June to 27 July. Admission is free and all works are available to buy. It is supported by Awards for All, Abbey Charitable Trust and Communities and Local Government.

Cllr Liz Jaeger, Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure on Richmond Council, said: "This is the first time Orleans House has worked with homeless people to produce such a unique series of artworks. Professional artists helped the participants, most of whom haven't been involved in art since school, to develop their skills and express their creative talents through art. This exhibition will provide people with a better understanding of homelessness and the great work that SPEAR is doing in our community."