An exhibition of paintings by Syrian refugee children receiving art therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at the Sir Bobby Charlton Centre in Jordan are on display in Dan Carden MP’s constituency office at 66 Priory Road, Anfield.

The powerful paintings reflect the personal journeys of the nine different artists as they attempt to cope with losing their homes, the deaths of their families, and significant physical injuries. Earlier-stage paintings are typically made with dark, sombre colours and tell the stories of their respective losses. As the children benefit from the therapy the paintings become confident, more colourful, and reflect their hope for the future.

The art therapy course is overseen by child psychologist Professor Nieveen Abu Zaid at the Sir Bobby Charlton Centre in Amman, Jordan, which was opened by Sir Bobby’s charity Find A Better Way in August 2017.

Dan Carden MP is an active member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Explosive Threats which exhibited the paintings in Parliament in September last year.

Dan said: “When I first saw these paintings in parliament they stopped me in my tracks. To think of the horrors that these children have seen and experience in their young lives is deeply, deeply saddening.”

“I and my colleagues on the All Party Parliamentary Group on Explosive Threats are determined to see the innocent protected from explosive violence, and to ensure that the increasing number of victims get the long term support and care they need.”

Find A Better Way is a participant in the REVIVE Campaign, which works with other charities and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Explosive Threats (APPGET) to raise awareness of the wide-ranging and long-term impact caused by explosive weapons.

Sir Bobby Charlton said: “When you see these paintings in person you get a small glimpse of the horrors these children have been through, and how they are learning to overcome what they have endured. The experience is very humbling. I would like everyone in the world to see this exhibition.”

Find A Better Way is a UK registered charity that was founded by the England football legend Sir Bobby Charlton who, while visiting Cambodia in 2008, was shocked to see the impact that conflict continued to have on the civilian population, despite the war ending.