Before & After
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The Brief
Social isolation is higher than average in Newham and can have a major impact on physical and mental health. Loneliness has been as bad for people’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and can bring on strokes, heart attacks, and dementia.
This project has brought people together with a shared project learning new skills and coming together; especially for elderly residents, people with disabilities, and young people in the area.
This project has been the most popular yet, with over 100 participants.
Participants included:
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Deafroots (who create a world in which Deaf and hard of hearing people enjoy the same opportunities and quality of life as everybody else.)
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SKILLS community outreach (people with additional needs)
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Local Newham people
The age range for participants ran from 4 years old to 84 years old and included a diverse range of backgrounds and ethnicities - really reflecting the spirit of Newham.
Supported by: Deafroots, and Newham Council
The Process
The participants explored the use of colour and learnt about how they could be creative in their community to make a positive impact. The workshop focused on mindful activities and taught skills about patterns, colour and how to create their own mood boards. These mood board ideas fed into the final mural design.
There were three workshops per different group (nine in total) and were led by Rose Hill and supported by staff members at Deafroots and SKILLS, as well as our Project Assistant, Dina Chehrazi.
The final design had a focus on nature, self-love, healthy eating and promoting sustainable growing and harvesting by including fruits and vegetables.
“I'm delighted to have unveiled the vibrant new murals in Stratford, they are a perfect example of community-led art and improving the community spirit in Newham.
Local people from all backgrounds and abilities have come together to create these artworks. Supporting local residents with their well-being and improving the local environment by bringing colour, and creating a sense of pride. It’s a fantastic example of how creativity unites us and makes our public spaces so special. This project has been brought to life with support from our Community Assembly funding."
Councillor Charlene McLean,
Cabinet member for Resident Engagement and Experience
The Outcome
Everyone came together to design the ACM (aluminium composite material) mural which was installed and unveiled on the 28th of February 2023.
Thank you for keeping the fire of creativity burning bright, and preserving the beauty of Stratford for years to come. Our vibrant murals are there for all to see and the thousands of people that pass through Stratford each day, to proudly show off your creativity and contribution to your family, friends, and the public. We're determined to leave a lasting mark on Stratford’s rich history. These murals embody the spirit of Newham’s diverse and united community - a true celebration of your creativity, togetherness, and diversity.
These murals are a shining testament to the power of collaboration, and we can't wait for future generations to be inspired by their beauty and significance. The murals are now there for you to see and enjoy, please go and take a look at everyone’s creativity.
“The positive impact of this project has been that I think about coming here during the week so it’s given me something to look forward to. I’ve had a problem with anxiety and leaving the house so it was something to structure my week, and to socialise with a nice group. This is my third time coming here and this time I’m so much more relaxed.”
Maudlyn Carter Wider community Participant Dec 2022
About The Design
Learn about the individuals who participated in this project and the thought process behind the design choices for each section of the mural.
Dawn joined our team for the Newham Wider Communities project and brought with her a passion for incorporating patterned vegetables into the design. She had a unique talent for combining vibrant colours and intricate patterns to create visually stunning vegetable arrangements.
Justina added yellow and orange patterned leaves to the design and incorporated these vibrant and bold colours in her mood boards. Her use of striking colour combinations helped to bring energy and excitement to the mural.
Catherine suggested adding patterns to the butterflies and incorporated stripes and dots in her design, which was eventually included in the mural. Additionally, she proposed the inclusion of green leaves to symbolize the natural beauty of Newham.
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Kosta had a amazing time at the Deafroots workshops and couldn't resist drawing some birds on his design. We loved his playful spirit and decided to bring his idea to life by adding three blue birds on the self-love panel of the mural.
Mani had a great time at the workshops and her design was super bright and colourful, she decided to add a checker pattern to the flowers, which look fantastic in the mural.
Antoinette, together with her mum and daughter, had a blast at the workshops and was thrilled with the final design. She incorporated a fun polka dot pattern into the bumble bees, which can now be spotted all over the mural.
Alyissa and her mum, Martyna, enjoyed the workshops, they particularly liked the pattern and color designing. Alyissa had a great idea to include the word "respect" in the mural, which we all thought was a fantastic addition.
Sevil designed the patterns in ‘self’ of the ‘self-love’ element of the design, she enjoyed using colour and patterns in the font.
Maudlyn contributed the edible plants and flowers to our co-designed mural! Maudlyn loved learning about spots and wanted to incorporate them all over the design which was a beautiful addition to our vibrant murals.
“I think about coming here during the week so it’s given me something to look forward to. I’ve had a problem with anxiety and leaving the house so it was something to structure my week, and to socialise with a nice group.” -Maudlyn Carter, Workshop participant.
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Shakeisha had a great time at the workshops experimenting with patterns, and she was particularly excited to incorporate a gingham design into the sun element of the mural.
Tina was passionate about including patterns in the flowers and leaves of the mural, as she believed it would add a natural and organic feel to the artwork.
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Martyna designed the ‘Be Kind’ to the mural and the purple colour in the wording as well as adding the stripes and spot patterns into the leaves near her ‘Be Kind’ statement.
“ The feeling of belonging and being involved in the community. To feel like a part of something great and contribute. It has really been helping me with my stress levels and being able to relax. To do some art and talk to people. What else could you wish for?!” Martyna Naidu, Workshop Participant
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of impact did the project have on people’s confidence?
For many, especially those who were initially hesitant or felt isolated, this project became a turning point. Several participants said it was the first time they’d shared their creativity with others, and they left the workshops feeling proud, seen, and more self-assured.
How did the creative process support wellbeing?
The mindful activities and playful use of colour offered a calm, pressure-free space where people could simply enjoy being present. Many participants described the sessions as therapeutic, offering a rare break from everyday stress or loneliness.
How did you make the workshops accessible to people with different needs?
We used lots of visual prompts, sensory materials, and adaptable activities so everyone could engage in their own way. Staff from Deafroots and SKILLS helped tailor support, while our facilitation style made space for different communication methods and energy levels. We also had a BSL interpreter present.
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Did the theme of healthy eating and nature spark any wider conversations?
Yes! It led to people sharing recipes from their cultures, talking about growing herbs at home, and reflecting on how their environment influences their wellbeing. It helped tie personal experience to wider ideas around sustainability and community care.
How did the age diversity affect the atmosphere in the workshops?
It created such a warm, layered energy. Everyone learned from each other, it felt like a multigenerational family coming together through art.
What do you think made this project so popular?
It was joyful, inclusive, and welcoming. People could come as they were, no prior art experience needed, and still feel valued. The focus wasn’t on perfection, but on expression, connection, and creating something beautiful and meaningful together.
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How did the themes of nature and self-love show up in the final mural?
You’ll notice flowing greenery, fruits and vegetables, and soft organic shapes - symbols of growth and nourishment. There are also radiant, uplifting colours and motifs that reflect inner strength, warmth, and pride in one's identity.
How did people express themselves if they didn’t feel confident drawing?
We encouraged everyone to use collage, textures, words, or even describe their ideas verbally. Expression wasn’t limited to a single medium, just having a voice in the process was the most important part.
What kind of community pride has the mural sparked?
People now walk past it and say, “I helped make that,” or point it out to their friends and family. It’s become a shared landmark, something that locals feel belongs to them, because it really does.
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