Strode Park Foundation partners with University for the Creative Arts

We have teamed up with the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) to create three large-scale murals that are now proudly displayed in Strode Park House’s dining rooms and hallway, bringing colour and joy to our residential care home in Herne.

The project began with students from UCA studying Visual Communications coming for a tour of Strode Park House to understand more about our charity’s work and get a feel for the home, before putting their designs together. In addition, a few students gave art workshops to the residents, explaining details of the design process for their new murals.

The students then shared their designs with the residents, who voted on their favourite designs. If they were unable to verbally communicate, they gave a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to indicate their preferences. The selected designs, which included the residents’ ducks singing in our Theatre in the Park amphiteatre venue and local beach and countryside scenes, were then worked on by six students.

John Dargan, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication at UCA, said, “It has been my absolute pleasure to work with the team at Strode Park Foundation. I want to thank them for the opportunity they offered our students. It was a huge boost of confidence for them to see their ideas come to fruition in a real space. The chance to work alongside and with the residents at Strode Park House was really special. We really hope that the murals the students have created are enjoyed by the residents, staff and visitors to Strode Park and that they are a fun distraction and enhancement for the spaces they are in.”

One of the students involved in painting the murals said, “I found the experience very interesting. While I was painting the mural, there was a lot of foot traffic from workers and residents whom I spoke with. They gave their input on how much they liked the murals being added and how it gave the place more life.”

The murals, which are now showcased in the dining area and hallway, reflect a shared vision between the students and our residents. The project provided students with an opportunity to engage with real-world designs while giving back to our charity in a meaningful way.

Sherri Frier, Registered Manager for Strode Park House, said, “I would like to thank everyone at the University for Creative Arts for the wonderful murals and for putting so much time and effort into making sure this is what our residents wanted. It has been great for the residents to be involved and work together with the students. At the end of such a fantastic project, we have some very beautiful artworks. Thank you, UCA.”

If you or your organisation has a project that you would like to partner with Strode Park Foundation to help support residents with disabilities, then please do not hesitate to get in touch at fundraising@strodepark.org.uk.