Positive Futures, the headline project of the Trent Bridge Community Trust have delivered a pair of Communtity Prides in Rushcliffe Borough.

Over two days, young people from the Radcliffe and Keyworth areas have painted urban art murals in their local areas. 

In Keyworth, under the guidance of Positive Futures Co-ordinator Mark Clifford and the support of councillor John Cottee, a renovated part of the town square has become awash with a bright ‘Welcome to Keyworth’.

“It’s great that Positive Futures come and see us during the holiday,” said 12-year-old Abbie, who lives in the village.

“They were doing projects at the secondary school that we are moving up to and they organize activities for us.”

What was previously crumbling brickwork has been transformed by the Positive Futures team, in order for the young people of the village to take pride in their local community, and also to change the perception of young people by other residents. 

“It’s great to have something to show off that we’ve worked on,” added Eva, who is also a Keyworth local. 

“We did bits of everything, mainly the sky and background”

The community prides cap off a busy week for the Positive Futures team, who run extensive timetables of activities for young people across Nottinghamshire.

Aimed at increasing social cohesion in targeted areas in the county, Positive Futures will be expanding into Bingham later this year following successes in Cotgrave, Radcliffe on Trent and Keyworth. By providing programmes of activities as well as one-to-one educational support, the scheme has seen a significant reduction in anti-social behaviour and juvenile crime across their targeted areas.

“It’s really good, there isn’t much to do in school holidays and they come in and give us activities, projects and keep us busy,” said Abbie.

“It makes life easier for our parents in the holidays, as well as being fun.”

“Our cohort of young people has been involved through every stage of the mural and we had some discussion over what we would all like it to say. We decided on Radcliffe-on-Trent Rec 2014."

"We've already had some compliments from people using the park today, they all think it's really brightened up the place."

In Radcliffe, a small group of young people under the tutelage of urban artist James Mayle and co-ordinator Jermaine Shread have taken the grey fence at the base of Wharf Lane park and given it a psychedelic makeover. 

“Our cohort of young people have been involved through every stage of the mural, and we had some discussion over what we would all like it to say. We decided on Radcliffe-on-Trent Rec 2014.”

For more information on Positive Futures, visit the Trent Bridge Community Trust microsite here.