Claire Wildish


joins the U City community


Inaugural artist for the U City Artist in Residence program, Claire Wildish, says her role is a unique and inspiring experience.


Community artist Claire brings extensive experience developing multi-arts programs for children, First Nations and multi-cultural communities in the outback, urban Australia and internationally.


‘To be part of the U City Community is pretty special. I’ve been given a clean slate and a lot of freedom to create a program that works for both U City residents and the New ROADS program. I feel we are just getting started here, the story has just begun.’


With your support, Claire is healing through art


Claire has worked in some of Australia’s most remote locations. The New ROADS Art Therapy program has given her a new appreciation of the power of community, collaboration and healing through art in an inner-city location. Your kind donations have contributed to reinstating the arts program at U City.


New ROADS has operated since the 1930s, supporting people to make long-term, sustainable changes around their use of alcohol and other drugs.


Claire says that one of the biggest advantages of the service is that it acts as a constant in the lives of participants.


‘A lot of people in the New ROADS program feel that their voice is not worth anything, but they have stories to tell. There is an amazing freedom in making and creating art together, and they are all incredibly


committed to the program. They are only required to be here for an hour-and-a-half each week, but most people stay all day and then check in with me throughout the week,’ Claire said.


‘Now they see me as someone they can trust, who will listen and not judge. A couple of weeks ago, one participant was having a particularly bad time. By the end of our session, she said, “you have no idea how you have changed my day – thank you.”’


Thank you for playing a part in supporting Claire to bring her skills and compassion to Uniting Communities. We are thrilled to see this important program up and running again after the retirement of the group’s previous facilitator in 2019.


Under Claire’s guidance, our New ROADS clients are not only connecting with each other, but also with some


Claire Wildish, Artist in Residence


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