A YOUTH charity in Evesham has transformed its community centre with a vibrant mural created by the young people who use it, writes Sam Wadsworth.
The piece was created for the Ourside Youth Centre, thanks to funding from a Worcestershire County Council Public Health Community Grant.
The project began after staff noticed some of the group had become involved in anti-social behaviour and were known to the local police Safer Neighbourhood Team.
The scheme was designed to help rebuild trust, strengthen relationships and give the young people a positive sense of ownership of the space.
Participants spent two days working alongside the artists to install their piece from start to finish.
The young people who got involved in the project said: “We got a lot of freedom within the project and to use the spray paint how we wanted.
“It gave us all a chance to be creative as well as getting more involved with the centre and feeling more part of it.”
“People were walking past and stopping to talk to us and ask us what we were doing and were then saying ‘well done’.”
Coun Satinder Bell, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Worcestershire County Council, said: “Creative projects like this can be a turning point for our young people.
“They help build confidence, create a sense of belonging and support more positive choices.
“The mural has made the centre brighter and more welcoming, and everyone involved should feel incredibly proud.”
Community groups with innovative ideas to support young people’s wellbeing can visit: worcestershire.gov.uk/communitygrantsapply for more on applying for a Public Health Community Wellbeing Grant.
