A pioneering new project that aims to encourage disabled young people to express themselves through art has been launched in Dubai.
The Beautiful Friends project, which has helped people with mental and physical disabilities across Europe, has now arrived in the United Arab Emirates.
It was founded two years ago in the Netherlands as a way of helping disabled people integrate with society.
To do this the artists produce art that goes on crockery and coffee machines, supported by the Rainforest Alliance, which is then sold.
The profit from this is then ploughed back into the project and goes on to fund the creation of art studios that can be used by all the community.
It has proved very popular with schemes already up and running in Belgium and Switzerland.
Wemmy de Maaker has spent much of her life doing voluntary work to help disabled people.
She moved to Dubai from her native Holland seven years ago and decided to link up with Beautiful People.
She said, “There wasn't much for these young people to do in Dubai.
“They need a stepping stone from leaving school and then into society and art is a wonderful way for them to do that.
“But this is not just about these young people it is also about getting the rest of society to interact with them.''
The project is currently using the Jam Jar studio, in Al Quoz and working with the Start children's art group, but is appealing for help from the public and business to help provide a new centre that can be used by everyone.
Flavia D'Souza, an Indian who has been in Dubai since 2001, said her son Adrian, 26, who has Down Syndrome, really enjoyed his sessions.
She said: “He has really come out of his shell and has developed as an artist since he has been here.
“He loves every minute of it and his technique has improved so much.
“This is a wonderful project because there is very much for people with disabilities to do in Dubai so the work that is done here is invaluable.''
As part of the scheme youngsters are currently working on art with a theme of water.
The finished work will be displayed during the international H2O exhibition with Beautiful Friends groups in Europe at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, in Dubai on October 31.
