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Artist Spotlight – Mia
 
In advance of the Pathways of Chesterfield Art Exhibition and Silent Auction (Dec 2nd 3pm-8pm, West Studios) we wanted to highlight some of the artists who’s work will be exhibited. First up is Mia.
 
In March 2021 Mia was residing at the winter provision accommodation at Mount Cook in Wirksworth through the ‘everyone in’ initiative by the UK government which meant that any homeless person would have somewhere indoors to live during the Covid Pandemic.
 
Mia had become homeless due to a relationship breakdown and was also injured at work, whilst working machinery, which has left her disabled.
 
Pathways helped Mia with her housing and her residency status as she could not return to Poland. Having no right to remain in the UK meant that Mia had no recourse to public funds.
 
Mia was housed temporarily through the council whilst her residency status was sorted out and remained in the property once she gained a right to remain in the UK. We helped her with food and essential items such as clothing and toiletries, along with a starter pack which included a bed, microwave, plates, pans, bedding, kettle and toaster. We were also able to get funding for a washing machine and supported Mia to get new glasses and taxis to hospital appointments in Sheffield.
 
When Mia started attending groups in September 2021 it helped to combat loneliness and social isolation, it gave her the routine she needed. We communicated through Google translate but now her English is so good that she has no problem having conversations with her peers!
 
The artwork that Mia has accomplished is truly outstanding and we feel privileged to be able to display some of what she has achieved. Her speciality is sketching.