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Origination: The rich mix of British culture and history  
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Putting Down Roots

1-3 August 7.55pm Channel 4

Putting Down Roots explores a unique project in which families traumatised by war and torture have been given allotments in the North of England by The Family Refugee Support Project. It's an attempt to help them establish new roots while getting family support from the charity. A resident psychotherapist is on hand to talk them through the traumas of their past lives.

Three refugees tell their stories and explain how they're finding new hope in the earth of an English community.

Njasi, a Kosovan man explains how his allotment helps him forget about the horrors he saw in war. He was separated from his family who believed they'd never see him again. He had to bribe soldiers not to kill him. He says: "These might be small words but I want to say a big thank you to this country."

Carlos, who studied agriculture in his native Angola, enjoys digging his own plot. He was helped to flee with his young family after family and friends started to disappear when they opposed their own government. He says he wants God to help him forgive and forget.

Saranda, a 15-year-old Kosovan girl, explains how her father has used their allotment to overcome the trauma of war. She explains that all she knew of England when she arrived was that it was surrounded by sea and mad about football.

Family Refugee Support Project logo The Family Refugee Support Project
The Family Refugee Support Project uses the growing and tending of plants on an allotment site as a powerful metaphor for healing to restore asylum seekers and refugees, who have suffered persecution and trauma, to sound mental health.

The Project is currently working with 8 families from 3 countries. Each family is provided with an allotment plot and gardening tools. They attend weekly to tend their plants and to discuss their difficulties and progress towards recovery with their psychotherapist. The project will expand this year by taking on 4 more families and 6 more in 2006.

The Family Refugee support Project is a registered charity funded by the Big Lottery fund, with funding secured until the year 2007. Initially funded through Health Action Zone money the Project was set up in September 2000.

Family Refugee Support Project
Toxteth Town Hall
15, High Park Street
Liverpool
L8 8DX
Tel. 0151 728 93 40

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