Students transform garden with community mural
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Published
25 September 2024
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At the heart of Stratford, a once plain and weathered wall in the communal garden of the Janson and Gurney Road residential scheme is being transformed into a vibrant mural, thanks to the efforts of University of East London student volunteers.
This exciting project, which began in July, is a collaboration between UEL’s Volunteering Team and Southern Housing Association's Social Impact Team. Led by UEL’s Shazma Khatun, Volunteering Coordinator, and SHA's Nadine Johnson, community investment project lead, the mural – entitled A Garden With A View - brings students out of the classroom and into the community, where they can make a real difference in residents' lives.
For the students, this is much more than just a painting project. By engaging with residents, many of whom experience social isolation, they’re learning first-hand about community work, building social connections, and gaining valuable skills that will boost their employability.
Shazma said,
Through this hands-on experience, our student volunteers not only contribute to the enhancement of residential spaces but also develop invaluable skills and insights that will serve them well in their future careers. Furthermore, the project is also aligning well with the University’s ethos of civic engagement making it another exceptional example of how the University of East London is giving back to the very community it is situated in.”
As part of Southern Housing Association’s wider Getting to Know You initiative, the project aims to bring the community together by creating a shared space that reflects the spirit of the residents. Supported by AD Constructions, who helped prepare the wall, the mural has already begun to brighten up the communal garden, but its real impact is in the connections being made between the residents and the students.
The Mural Project offers UEL students valuable hands-on experience through a carefully structured process. It begins with students working together to understand the needs of the residents and the history of the community, followed by pitching their mural ideas and incorporating feedback from the residents. Finally, the students bring their designs to life through the painting process, where collaboration and creativity come together to create a vibrant, community-driven artwork. This journey not only enhances their practical skills but also deepens their connection with the residents.
Throughout each stage, students are honing key skills that employers look for, such as project management, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Working on a project of this scale enhances their CVs and gives them the confidence to take on leadership roles in their future careers.
Grace Tasinchana Yalama, who is studying Fine Art, helped with the design. She said, “I got involved in this project because I thought it would be very nice to engage with the residents. This is one of the design ideas I worked on with residents, so I really loved and enjoyed making this with all my friends. This is the first time that I get to draw on a wall, not like a canvas or paper, so, yes, this is like new to me as well.
Shazma said, “One of the key objectives of the project was to also include our residents to be a part of the brainstorming and ideation sessions, which they took part in. There were many residents there who suffer from loneliness and social isolation, so the project acts as a way for them to build social connections and improve their mental well-being.”
Students aim to finish the mural by the beginning of October and will become a powerful example of how UEL students are making a difference beyond the classroom, and how volunteering can be a stepping stone to future success.
This project also aligns perfectly with UEL’s ethos of civic engagement, showing how students are not just gaining academic knowledge but are also actively contributing to the local community.