The initiative has been delivered by Freestyle Community Projects, who were awarded £1,000 through our Locality Fund. Newport and Gresham are priority areas for the fund, which supports projects that improve neighbourhoods and create opportunities for local people.
For the past year, Freestyle Community Projects have worked closely with local residents to bring the murals to life.
Co-created with the community
The murals have been co‑designed and created by a diverse mix of local groups and residents, reflecting the rich cultural identity of Newport. The project has played an important role in supporting post‑riot recovery, helping rebuild trust, connections and a shared purpose.
Freestyle Community Projects facilitated a series of hands‑on workshops where residents contributed directly to the design and painting. Among the groups involved was Creative Minds, a refugee, asylum seeker and BAME women’s group, who played an active role in shaping the final artwork.
Thirteen colleagues also supported engagement sessions on the ground, helping connect the project with wider community activity.
How the locality funding was used
The Locality Fund supported a wide range of creative and community‑building activities, including:
- Workshops at Newport Hub, including room hire
- Refreshments for participants
- Printing and publicity to promote sessions
- Art materials, such as paint, boards, brushes and PPE
- A contribution towards the final “Public Living Room” celebration event, including food for attendees.
These activities formed the backbone of a wider creative programme designed to give residents the chance to shape the artwork and take ownership of the space.
Supporting our local priorities
This project strongly aligns with Thirteen’s priorities for the area, including:
- Improving the local environment
- Raising aspirations for young people
- Supporting health, wellbeing and community cohesion.
By transforming an underused space into a welcoming, creative focal point, the murals contributes to a broader placemaking approach in Newport and Gresham.
The murals form one element of a larger programme inspired by the Public Living Room concept, which aims to uplift shared spaces through art, events and community engagement.
Alongside the Freestyle mural project, we've also funded a complementary Locality Fund project delivered by Sawdust, with a grant of £995. The project is developing a community placemaking kit to support and encourage ongoing use of the space, including benches, signage and other features.
Your can find more information on how we’re supporting our communities on our website.