Volunteers Make a Splash As University Project Helps Spread Positive Messages at Skatepark
By Community Correspondent
Mumbles Skatepark has been given a bright new look thanks to a community art project designed to promote inclusion, belonging and local pride.
The colourful murals were created with input from skatepark users, their families, friends and local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), who came together to help shape the artwork now on display at the popular venue.
The project was delivered through Flip the Streets, a Swansea-based community initiative founded by Swansea University Professor Lella Nouri.
The programme works with young people and local communities to create artwork that reflects the values, identity and experiences of the people who use public spaces.
Previous Flip the Streets projects have transformed locations across Swansea, replacing vandalised areas and negative messaging with vibrant artwork designed to foster pride and a sense of ownership.
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For the Mumbles project, participants took part in two creative workshops where they explored what the skatepark means to them and discussed ways to represent the area's welcoming and inclusive culture through art.
Ideas generated during the sessions inspired two large-scale murals created by Fresh Creative CIC.
One design features a submarine, reflecting the strong connection many participants made with Mumbles' coastal setting, while the other centres on a customised spray can inspired by a suggestion from a skatepark user.
Skateboards and scooters were also incorporated to reflect the diverse mix of people who regularly use the facility.
The project culminated in a community mural day, with around 40 people helping to paint the final designs. Volunteers and staff from Mumbles Community Council also joined in to help bring the artwork to life.
Professor Nouri, from Swansea University's School of Social Sciences, said the project perfectly captured the aims of Flip the Streets by giving communities a voice in shaping the spaces that matter to them.
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She said the murals celebrate the creativity and sense of belonging already present within the skatepark community, while helping to create an even more welcoming environment for future visitors.
Launched in 2023, Flip the Streets was initially supported by Race Council Cymru and is now funded through Swansea Council's Community Safety Partnership.
Since its launch, the initiative has delivered projects in Clase, Gorseinon, Manselton and Swansea city centre.
The team is now preparing for a special exhibition showcasing artwork from previous Flip the Streets projects. The exhibition will take place at Volcano Theatre on Swansea High Street from July 17 to July 24.
