How Do I Take Part in a Community Mural or Creative Workshop with Co-Creative Connection?

Rose Hill
Jun 19
3 min read

At Co-Creative Connection, we believe creativity is for everyone, not just artists, professionals, or people who already feel confident holding a paintbrush. If you’ve ever seen one of our murals or workshops and thought “I’d love to be part of something like that”, the good news is, you can!

No matter what you want to do, whether you want to help paint, co-design, or just be part of something fun and community-led, here’s how to get involved in our projects, no matter your background, age or experience.

A group of people, including Rose, founder of Co-Creative Connection stand together in healthcare facility, all raising their hands joyfully and smiling at the camera. Behind them is a colourful CCC wall mural featuring health-related imagery including "NHS" branding, hearts, waves, geometric patterns, and text reading "Health". The group includes 10 people of various ages wearing casual clothing, with some wearing headbands or accessories. — The NHS Trust, Islington 2024

There’s No “Right” Way to Take Part

We run projects in lots of different places including housing estates, schools, community centres, public spaces, parks, and even shopping centres. And we involve people in lots of different ways, including:

🗣️ Idea-sharing sessions or informal chats – even if you don’t want to paint, you can contribute through conversation, sharing stories, feedback or ideas for what the artwork should represent.

🎨 Community design sessions – where you can share your ideas, learn about pattern and colour theory, and help shape the early stages of a mural.

🖌️ Painting days – where you can help bring the design to life! Whether you’re painting a section of wall or adding finishing touches, it’s a chance to be hands-on and part of something lasting.

👀 Popping by and showing support – we love when people stop by to say hello, cheer us on, and be part of the atmosphere. Community connection matters, even if you’re not holding a paintbrush.

A family of three (a woman, man and young boy) sit at a table in a workshop space smiling. They are holding up papers with "PATTERN DESIGNS" headers that contain geometric grid patterns and drawings. Art supplies including coloured pencils are scattered on the table. Behind them are wooden storage cabinets and wall displays. — Peabody & The Sundial Community Centre Mural, Tower Hamlets 2021

We Also Run Standalone Creative Workshops

As well as mural projects, we also offer standalone creative workshops which are perfect if you're looking to explore your creativity without committing to a full project.

These workshops are tailored to support your creative journey, whether you're just starting out or looking to build confidence and new skills. We offer a range of different things from one-off bespoke sessions to longer-term support, helping you bring your creative ideas to life in a welcoming and accessible environment.

We share upcoming workshops on our socials and mailing list, and we also partner with schools, housing groups and charities to bring these workshops into local communities.

A large group of people sitting on colourful plastic chairs outdoors, all smiling and joyfully raising their hands. Some are holding umbrellas (yellow and red visible). The setting is an outdoor space with mesh fencing visible in the background, with a partial CCC mural visible. The group is diverse and dressed in winter clothing. — Populo Living & Newham Council, Carpenters Estate, Stratford 2023

How Do I Know When a Project or Workshop Is Happening Near Me?

We often work with local partners like:

Housing associations
Schools
Councils
Charities and community groups

That means the people who live or work in that area are usually the first to know about workshops and mural opportunities. But we also post regular updates on Instagram and LinkedIn, and we send out newsletters to keep people in the loop.

👉 To hear about upcoming projects and workshops, sign up for our mailing list, or follow us on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Four people, including Rose and artist Dina, working on a DHL wall mural. The banner has "DHL" branding and text that reads "NOW MORE THAN EVER LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A CLEANER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN TO ENJOY". The people are wearing matching red and yellow/black uniforms consistent with DHL branding, and there's a ladder and painting supplies visible. — DHL Sustainability Mural &Formula E, at Excel Centre 2023

Is It Free to Take Part?

Yes it is! We’re proud to say that all of our community mural sessions and workshops are free to join. We’re usually commissioned by a partner or funded through grants, which means we’re able to open our doors to the public at no cost.

Spaces are limited, so it’s always worth registering if a sign-up form is shared. Otherwise, painting days and community events are sometimes drop-in style.

A man crouching in front of a colourful geometric CCC mural wall, with his arms raised in celebration. He's wearing a dark jacket and hat, smiling broadly. The mural behind him features various geometric patterns including diamonds, circles, waves, and other designs in bright colours including blues, reds, yellows, and greens. — Populo Living & Newham Council, Carpenters Estate, Stratford 2023

Two women working at a table covered with design materials including colour swatches, magazines, photographs, and various printed materials. One wearing a red and white striped top, another is in a grey top, and Rose is standing and explaining something to the woman in the grey top, who is smiling. — Peabody & The Sundial Community Centre Mural, Tower Hamlets 2021

Do I Need to Be Good at Art?

Not at all! Our workshops are built on the belief that everyone is creative and everyone’s contribution matters, regardless of experience. We’ll support you every step of the way.

We’ve worked with people aged 2 to 90+, from complete beginners to artists with over 22 years of experience. Our workshops are inclusive and welcoming to all, including those with different first languages and a wide range of abilities and access needs.

Summer, Rose’s daughter, is painting a large yellow mural on a slanted surface. Margaret, headteacher of Holmleigh Primary School, is kneeling and wearing a white shirt with jeans as she also paints yellow onto the mural. Summer is standing and wearing a light-coloured top with patterned shorts and floral boots. They are using long-handled paint rollers. There are paint supplies and a tarp visible on the ground. The setting is outdoors with metal railings and residential buildings in the background. — Holmleigh Primary School, Hackney 2024

A ribbon-cutting ceremony taking place in front of a colourful educational CCC mural. The mural features various mathematical elements including numbers (10, 100, 200, 300, 500, 1000), geometric shapes, a crescent moon, stars, and a stylised tree. A woman in a red top and polka dot skirt is cutting a red ribbon while surrounded by adults and children. The ceremony is taking place on a green painted surface in a school playground. — Idverde, Hammersmith & Fulham Council, Aspen Gardens Mural 2023

What If I Want to Bring CCC to My Area?

We would love that! If you’re a school, council, housing provider, community organisation, or someone with an idea for a creative project or workshop in your neighbourhood, we’re always open to new collaborations.

Drop us a message via our Contact page, or email hello@cocreativeconnection.com – we’re ready when you are.

Four children (three girls and one boy) engaged in an indoor art workshop, sitting around a yellow tablecloth-covered table. They are drawing on paper with various art supplies including coloured pencils and pens spread across the table. The children are focused on their individual projects, with some pattern or design reference sheets visible on the table. — Poplar HARCA & The Hill Group Teviot Estate Mural, Poplar 2022

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be an artist or someone who’s “always doing creative things” to join in with CCC. You just need to be curious, open, and ready to take part in something joyful and community-led.

Whether it’s sharing your story, holding a paintbrush, joining a workshop, or cheering us on from the side lines, your voice belongs here.