Wirral refugees create 'empowering' mural with reused paint

Located in Birkenhead, it was created as part of an art therapy service offered by local charity Heart4Refugees, using paint from a nearby branch of Community RePaint – a UK-wide paint reuse organisation sponsored by Dulux.

Tne new mural created by refugees on Wirral (Image: courtesy of cirkle.com) The scheme, run by Recipro, recovers leftover paint from over 300 collection points and redistributes it to individuals and groups in the wider community.

Community RePaint Wirral's scheme has reached the milestone of redistributing its millionth litre of paint.

There are more than 80 schemes across the country on a mission to reduce waste and brighten lives.

At work on the colourful mural that has been created by refugees on Wirral (Image: courtesy of cirkle.com)

Collectively, the schemes have redistributed over 5.4m litres of paint since the initiative’s conception in 1993, reusing paint that otherwise would end up in landfill or incineration. 

Heart4Refugees is just one of many initiatives the Community RePaint network has benefited throughout its 30 years of operation.

The charity is on a mission to break down the barriers faced by refugees and people seeking asylum to rebuild lives and improve mental health through support and empowerment.

One of the several ways Heart4Refugees hopes to better the wellbeing of those impacted in Wirral is through art therapy – which is how the new mural came to be created.

Vicky Evans, executive director at Heart4Refugees, said: "Art can do so much to reduce stress and emotional pain – something the refugees we support here know all too well.

"It can offer stimulation, an outlet, and a reminder of the colourful goodness in the world.

"We want to ensure our clients feel safe to create art free of judgement, and encourage them to use it as a way to express their hopes for the future."

Laura Hogan, the art therapist trainee supporting the mural project, said: "Community, wellbeing and mental health are the core themes of the mural.

"The world is at the mural’s foundation to symbolise the charity’s global community.

"Those who have attended the art therapy sessions have since contributed by outlining their hands and creatively expressing themselves through drawing, painting and collaging – creating the eclectic and colourful artwork we see today.

“The mural was a process-focussed project, emphasising its journey over the final result.

"The common thread in the mural’s creation is community; our community designed, evolved and created it together, bringing people who may not have met before into the same spaces.

"The mural is ever-changing as we hope it will continue to reflect the evolving stories and identities at Heart4Refugees.”

This was the first time Heart4Refugees has used the Community RePaint scheme, but after such a positive reception, Laura is keen to use it again.

Rebecca Orton, partnerships marketing manager at Dulux, said: "We are so proud of our continuing support of the Community RePaint network and schemes up and down the UK, and this Hearts4Refugees mural is a brilliant example of redistributed paint being put to incredible use."

Lilian Graves, from community RePaint Network Officer, said: "We know that over 50m litres of paint go to waste each year in the UK.

"It's a shocking statistic, and at Community RePaint, we’re determined to provide a solution.

"It's essential to reduce the amount of paint being incinerated or sent to landfill in order to protect the planet.

"This also benefits those who reuse leftover paint in their homes and communities who can access paint affordably and sustainably.

"Community RePaint Wirral’s commitment to this is clear in their redistribution of over one million litres of paint.

"It is such a fantastic achievement and demonstrates how reuse initiatives can have a significant impact on our communities and planet."

To find your nearest Community RePaint scheme, click here