Sonja’s story: Finding stability through creativity after displacement
When a hotel housing 13‑year‑old refugee Sonja and her family was destroyed by fire, everything they owned was lost. Once again, Sonja’s life was uprooted.
Since arriving in the UK, Sonja and her sisters have been caring for their mother, who is living with HIV, while navigating a new education system, racism, financial insecurity and unstable housing.
In the midst of adversity and injustice, creativity became a refuge. With support from Body & Soul, a charity working with young people at risk of suicide, Sonja began to rebuild her wellbeing.
Sonja has long turned to art as a source of calm and stability – not only as solace but a powerful means of expressing herself. A small grant through our Catalyst Programme helped her buy a quality art kit and enrol in an art class – opening up new techniques, confidence and ways to embrace her creativity. It has offered some joy amidst huge adversity.
No one should have to rebuild alone. Read more about how local support is making a difference in our impact report – and join our mailing list to stay connected to stories of care and resilience.
