On January 28, local charity Every Caring Act Supports Someone (ECASS) organised the street art event which saw the youngsters of Portsea getting stuck in.
Portsea Adventure Playground initially invited kids to design something they wanted to see on the outside wall and as more children got involved, the project grew into an artistic masterpiece. Instead of choosing one winning design, the project combined all of the children’s ideas into one vibrant mural.
ECASS’ CEO John Ryder worked with the council’s Play and Youth service to set up the competition. Importantly, the scheme gave the children a chance to explore their creativity and show how they would enrich the wall.
The mural comes to life
The youngsters explored their creative side on Saturday 28 Jan where, during the event, they spray painted parts of the mural themselves. Creative director and local artist Neil Foley (AKA Artform) was also on hand to help bring the mural to life. ECASS then organised additional prizes for the children with the lucky winners receiving match tickets to a Portsmouth FC game. What’s more, the designs are also set to appear on the stadium’s big screen during the match.
This wasn’t ECASS’ first art successful project however as last year they helped youngsters freshen up a wall at Fratton Community Centre – a success which spurred on John’s ambition to continue these art projects. Cllr Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Preventing Homelessness, supports the ambition, saying:
“Our playground here means a lot to people in Portsea and I’m so glad it’s provided the space for this event – it’s been a brilliant showcase of creativity and fun for local children. I hope we continue using these community spaces to do more of that in the future because I think the artwork looks fantastic.”
Cllr Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education, added:
“Our priority is for young people to feel part of something and to encourage them to engage in future events like this one. That’s why we built the playgrounds, for projects like this.”
Who are ECASS?
ECASS works towards offering free community activities and signposting people to clinics and support if they are experiencing things like:
- landlord issues
- domestic violence
- debt
- family court support
- employability skills
- confidence building
- letter writing and more
Portsea Adventure Playground
The council’s Play and Youth service manage Portsea Adventure Playground and its other five play areas across the city, working to give young children a safe and free place to play.
If there are any other groups or organisations interested in this project, please get in touch with ECASS Director John Ryder as there are plans to roll out more projects like this and others of a different nature across the city. There is no age limit or ability requirements; it’s open to everyone. Contact John on 075 5324 9696, on social media or via the ECASS website.