Photocall:  2pm, Wednesday, 4 December. West End Village, London Road, Stoke, ST4 5AW. Artist Rob Pointon, West End Village residents and pupils from Stoke Minster Primary unveil “memory mural.” 

A mural, created from the memories of young and old people in Stoke-on-Trent, is to be unveiled on Wednesday, 4 December. 

Well known Staffordshire artist Rob Pointon has been working with residents from the West End Village, Stoke, and Stoke Minster Primary on a special intergenerational project. 

Crossing Lines – Linking Memories brought together the children and residents of the older people’s village to talk about childhood memories. 

The Year Five pupils worked with the residents to create memory boxes where ideas, photographs and childhood recollections are shared. 

Artist, Rob Pointon, attended the regular sessions to gain ideas for the new West End Village memorial and to host drawing workshops for the pupils. 

Rob has previously worked with Staffordshire Housing Association to create a large mural in the grounds of the West End Village. 

Emma Griffiths, Regeneration Programmes Manager at Staffordshire Housing Association, said: “The project has had great benefits for both age groups. It has been fascinating to see the older and younger generations come together to share their memories.” 

Members of the public will be able to see the mural as the communal areas at West End Village are open to non-residents on Mondays to Fridays. 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors:

Staffordshire Housing Group is committed to building a better future for local communities.  The group’s parent organisation, Staffordshire Housing Association, has around 3,000 homes for rent and sale, including three older people’s villages, and offers a range of tenant services. Revival Home Improvement Agency works with older and vulnerable home owners to help them stay warm, secure and independent in well-maintained homes. Blue Mountain Housing Association works closely with refugees to provide essential support and help with access to healthcare, education, training and employment.  Since April 2012, Hanley-based charity Arch has been part of the group. Arch provides accommodation and support services to people in need, including survivors of domestic violence, ex-offenders and young people leaving care.