'Joy' as people unite for mural in wake of riots

Claire Thomas with the mural, which has been unveiled at the Oasis Hub

Almost 100 people have helped to create a new mural showing "everyone is welcome" in Hull.

They gathered at the Oasis Hub community church, Newland Avenue, on the anniversary of last summer's riots, to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

Claire Thomas, a hub leader, said it had been "such a joy" to see people from various communities and ethnic backgrounds coming together to create the artwork.

The mural was unveiled earlier by city council leader Mike Ross. It was funded by the authority with the aim of developing community cohesion.

The mural was made by volunteers over the course of four sessions

Ms Thomas said the riots had created "fear in our community" and left some people "feeling that they couldn't go outside of their door or feel safe".

"The project is about trying to bring people from different backgrounds together and just build a strong community together," she added.

"It feels really important that we've done something positive in reflection of that."

Jenny Prentice, from Hull, got involved in making the mural by adding blue handprints with her sister Sarah.

It felt good to help the community and she had made new friends and spoken to people she would not normally meet, she said.

Jenny Prentice is a regular visitor to the Oasis Hub

"I remember hearing about the riots last year and I thought, come on, it's Hull – we're supposed to be representing our city, not rioting," Ms Prentice added.

Lindsey Alvis, the creative director of Artlink Hull, which helped lead the project, said: "Art has the power to help us make sense of the world around us and to heal.

"We know this community project will bring people together, making it clear that everyone is welcome."

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