Bradford students unveil striking community mural attended by lord mayor

Students at Belle Vue Girls’ School have transformed a once-blank school wall into a bold symbol of unity, unveiling a striking community mural at a public mela attended by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Mohammed Shafiq.

The project started with a question: What if we could brighten up this space and bring people together at the same time?

That question sparked a journey of creativity, leadership and local pride. Concerned that their neighbourhood didn’t reflect the vibrancy of the people who live there, the students set out to make a lasting difference. The result? A bold and beautiful mural that now stretches across the school’s public sports centre, transforming a once-overlooked wall into a colourful celebration of community.

The project was supported by Near Neighbours through its Catalyst programme, delivered locally by Wellsprings Together. The initiative empowers young people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds to lead positive change in their communities.

With the help of Catalyst trainers Pam Kershaw and Rabiyah K. Latif, the students successfully secured a £3,000 grant to turn their vision into reality. They commissioned local artist duo Don’t Panic! Art Cru, Bradford-born creatives Jenna Greenwood and Benjamin James Holden who brought their experience in mural and public art design to the table. But this wasn’t just about painting a wall. It was about ownership, identity and belonging.

In workshops with the artists, the students explored what community meant to them, and then went a step further by consulting local residents and groups who regularly pass the site. Their aim was clear: to ensure the mural reflected the voices and values of the people it would represent.

“We want to create a mural to bring people together with the aim of supporting and fostering community cohesion,” said Jeff Singleton, Head of Sixth Form and Teacher of Art.

The mural was unveiled at a vibrant community mela, hosted by the school and attended by local families, school partners and civic leaders. Among those present were the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Mohammed Shafiq, and Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford City of Culture 2025. Representatives from Near Neighbours and Wellsprings Together, including The Right Reverend Rob Wickham, Lisa Broom and Siaa-Liane Mathurin, also joined the celebration.

The mural is painted on the side of the school’s sports centre, located on a lane shared by four schools and a housing estate. From the outset, students wanted the project to be community-owned