Youngsters add a splash of colour to the Brinnington Youth Centre

Brinnington Youth Centre
Brinnington Youth Centre after the paint job

Brinnington Youth Centre has been given a bright new look as part of a special Stockport Council project ‘Stockport Arts Trail’.

Led by the Council’s Youth Offending Service and together with local artists Russ Meehan and Karen Allerton, they created murals on the centre’s outside walls using street art.

This group of young people got their inspiration after a few field trips to the Reddish Vale Country Park, the Northern Quarter in Manchester and the Manchester Art Gallery.

Then they came up with a design that celebrates the local natural environment and industrial heritage.

Cllr Colin Foster, artist Karen Alberton and children who participated in the project
Cllr Colin Foster, artist Karen Alberton and children who participated in the project

Councillor Colin Foster said: “It was great to celebrate with this group of Brinnington young people who had been working together, working with artists and working with Stockport Council to develop various arts presentations that are part of the youth centre’s refurbishment.

“This project has also enabled these local young people to be able to show various skills that they have got and has contributed towards the local community in having a building which is interesting.”

Artist Russ Meehan said: “It’s great that these young people have been involved in a positive, proactive and creative project, instead of struggling to find something to do during the summer holidays.

“I think they have learned a lot from this project, including responsibility, because it has been hard work — it’s not easy to do a project like this.

“I hope that they are really pleased with what they have produced and feel a sense of ownership.”