VULNERABLE artists including asylum seekers have landed jobs after an intensive council-backed training course.

The 34 creatives, from Tees Valley, have bagged new paid roles and contracts thanks to an intensive ten-week training programme focused on improving access to the arts for vulnerable groups.

This includes people experiencing homelessness, asylum seekers and refugees, young people in pupil referral units, young people in care, and disabled people.

Artists go on to run a variety of projects to help the arts and culture sector tackle social exclusion, bringing the project full circle and giving back to the community.

Asylum seeker Jane Bizimana now runs painting classes with people from her church while also working to share her skills with newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers, different young peoples’ groups on Teesside and runs art classes for young people in care.

She said: “I’ve made huge strides with my artistic career and am equipped to work with many more community groups.”

Redcar dance tutor Helen Weekley said the training “changed her outlook” and enabled her take advantage of other opportunities in the region.

“I’ve been a dance teacher for a number of years but now have the confidence to work with more varied groups of people.

“Being equipped with these new skills means I’ve been able to take advantage of more offers of employment as well,” she said.

Chloe Lawrence, programmes manager at ARC, which runs the project, said: “Local artists are making a direct impact on another of our priorities – helping to engage many more people who live here with art and arts activities.

“There are now more local artists equipped to help some of our most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities enjoy the arts, which is a great asset for the Tees Valley.”