The descendant of a Rorke’s Drift Victoria Cross winner is among ex-soldiers fallen on hard times who are finding a new purpose to their lives through art.

The weekly classes held at the Alabaré Home for Veterans in Colwyn Bay have uncovered new talent whose work is to go on display in an exhibition entitled Peace by Piece this spring at Conwy County Borough Council’s headquarters in the town.

The ground-breaking Creative Wellbeing Through The Arts classes are taken by artist Nadia Wazera for Wintergreen Community Interest Company and have been funded by £2,000 from PACT – the North Wales Police and Community Trust and are attended by up to 10 ex-servicemen every week.

Among them is Daniel Chard, originally from Wrexham, and whose ancestor, Lieutenant John Chard – played by Stanley Baker in the film Zulu – won one of 11 Victoria Crosses at the Battle of Rorke’s Drift in South Africa in 1879.

The former Artilleryman said: “I had problems with drugs and crime after leaving the Army but I’m off the drugs now and living here in Colwyn Bay and I’ve enjoyed the classes.

“I have tried art before but it’s different when Nadia is taking the classes and I’ve got a lot out of it.

“This is 100 per cent a good place to be and Nadia has some brilliant ideas and there’s lots of things to explore.

“I enjoy the challenges. It’s a good use of my time and good for my well-being.”

Another regular is ex-Signal Instructor Gary Dewhurst, originally from Bolton, who has turned his talent into a fulltime occupation and now paints commissions as well as his own work.

He said: “My brother was a real artist and he taught me but I was in the Army before being badly injured in Iraq and given a medical discharge after 11 years when I intended to stay in for 25.

“I’ve been in Blackpool and London and I came here a few weeks go and I like it and I’ve been helping with the art classes and I’ve enjoyed doing that.”

Nadia said: “There’s a mix of people here from across North Wales and from further afield and this place provides a safe haven for them but we couldn’t have run the classes without the support of PACT and their involvement has also helped us leverage further funding.

“This is a safe haven for them and sometimes it’s good for people to have a fresh start – there’s no criteria and if you are a veteran then you can come and join in.

“In total there are 40 ex-soldiers across three homes in the area and they range from those in their early 20s to over 70.

“I’ve worked with veterans for some time now and I like the idea of bringing them together – that’s when the magic happens.”

PACT Chair Ashley Rogers said: “Anything we can do for our veterans to help them and to enable them to interact with others has to be extremely valuable and this is an excellent project around community engagement.

“It supports them and brings people who have served their country together in a safe space and its clear that PACT’s involvement has enabled the project to flourish and to continue at a crucial time.

“The continued attendance and active participation by the veterans shows how valuable and worthwhile the veterans art project is – that’s the proof of the pudding.”

Also in attendance was the High Sheriff of Clwyd, Karen Farrell, who said: “This is an amazing project and it’s clearly been a wonderful experience.

“You can feel the real sense of community spirit and the support for each other among those involved is amazing.

“When I come and see a project like this it just gives me a real Readybrek glow and puts a smile on my face.”

The work of the ex-servicemen is just one of many projects that have been supported by PACT, an independent charity launched in 1998 to support community initiatives, particularly those in which the police are involved.

In that time it has helped over 2,500 projects, investing in communities right across North Wales.

Ashley Rogers added: “For many who are involved in these projects, this is their first interaction with the police, so making this a positive experience can have profound consequences on their future life choices.

“From Gwynedd in the west across to Flintshire and Wrexham in the east, PACT continues to support projects that enable positive and sustainable community development and this has never been more important than right now.”

PACT offer a range of grants of up to £2,000 for community projects – for more details and how to apply go to https://www.pactnorthwales.co.uk/applications-ceisiadau/