AN INNOVATIVE new art course is being run in Chester city centre to help provide a voice to the homeless community.

Chester Aid to the Homeless (CATH) arranged the course, led by Chester-based artist David Eardley.

The idea behind the course is to give clients at CATH a chance to express themselves in a different way.

Education manager John Buchanan said: “The graffiti workshop offers the opportunity for CATH residents to artistically express themselves.

“By doing so they have a chance to achieve something positive, receive peer support and work as a team.

“We should never underestimate the power of expression – artistic or otherwise – to the socially excluded.”

The workshop takes place once a week for two hours at CATH’s Roodee House hostel in the city centre.

Rather than using walls, the artists are putting together a body of work on boards.

The results of their artistic endeavours are due to be exhibited during next year’s Adult Learners’ Week.