The project is funded by Find Your Talent North Somerset, the South Ward Community Mural initiative and North Somerset Positive Activities for Young People Programme.
Organised by local PCSO’s, the project aims were to:
- encourage local children and youth people to participate in the planning, design and completion of the art work
- to create a sense of ownership within the environment in which the children and young people live
- to reduce antisocial behaviour and criminal damage in the area.
Local community groups, including the William Knowles Centre, Youth Offending Team, Barcode Youth Café and the Specialist Play Scheme, painted the 250 ft wall that runs along St John’s Football Club in a bid to rejuvenate the area and to provide local young people with the opportunity to learn new skills and improve the environment in which they live.
The wall was split into 13 sections with each of the ten participating community groups taking ownership of a 4 panel section each.
Stuart Wood, Find Your Talent North Somerset Cultural Programmer said, “We are delighted to have funded such a rewarding and beneficial project, and to have supported organisations who are committed to working with young people, some of whom are often excluded from school and rarely have the opportunity to engage and to receive the benefits of a hands on involvement with cultural activities.”
PCSO Claire Sketchley said “The mural project has inspired 13 community groups to take part, each designing and painting their own panel of the wall. It is a great way to encourage children and young people to take ownership of their neighbourhood, and ultimately we hope to prevent illegal graffiti and criminal damage in the area.”
Two local professional artists have worked with the children and young people to develop their ideas and to create the designs which incorporate positive aspects of living and working within the Bournville, Oldmixon, Coronation and Potteries estates, including schooling, sports activities and local businesses.
Partner Organisations
Avon & Somerset Police
Barcode Youth Café
BARA
Behaviour Improvement Prog. Boxing Club
Barnardos
Community Wardens
Detached Youth Team
Jubilee Jumps
North Somerset Play Rangers
Oldmixon Parents Group
Specialist Play Scheme
South Weston Extended Schools Youth Club Reparation
Youth Offending Team
William Knowles Centre
