An exhibition of artwork by young refugees living in Kent has opened at Maidstone’s Hazlitt Arts Centre.

I am Here includes paintings by teenage refugees from countries such as Eritrea, Kenya and Syria. It opened on Wednesday, and will run until Sunday.

The exhibition is a joint venture between the British Red Cross, Kent Refugee Action Network and children’s charity Asphaleia.

Art teacher Ieva Kajokaite, who is a senior project coordinator and mental health worker for Asphaleia, said: “Asylum seekers have different backgrounds and histories, but the one thing they have in common is loss.

“It’s difficult for them to talk about this, not just because of their linguistic skills, but also because of the trauma.

“The art is a chance to communicate things, and it offers us a new way to help them.”

Entry to the show is free. It is open from midday to 5.30pm.