Drumming Up Change
Scottish actor and director David Hayman this week marked the opening of a new mural created by a group of young people at a church in Drumchapel. As he cut the ribbon, the Still Game star spoke in glowing terms about the value of the project. He enthused, “I thought the mural was brilliant - it took my breath away. It just brightens up the whole place and it’s great to see the kids work up there.”
St Marks Church were approached by the organisers of the Drumming Up Change Project, a collaboration between between Fortune Works, University of Glasgow and Drumchapel High, to see if they’d like a mural painted on church grounds. The Church’s Minister, Rev. Audrey Jamieson, was keen to help brighten up Drumchapel with a colourful and welcoming space. She explained, “The whole project is about including everybody, and we thought it was a lovely idea to have our doors painted. So many people have helped with the designs and it’s been a really exciting project.
It’s yes another excellent example of the power of just saying yes. From the church’s perspective, involvement in the project helped give young people a meaningful connection with the church and provided the opportunity to build relationships with young people who might not otherwise cross the threshold. It also demonstrates how valuable our church buildings can be as community venues and it’s great to see how well used St Marks in Drumchapel is.
Funded by the Big Lottery, the project aimed to delivery a programme of joint community activities for young people with learning disabilities in the area. People with learning disabilities are one of the most socially marginalised groups in society and vulnerable to bullying and social exclusion, and the project was set up to make communities more welcoming and remove barriers to community participation.
Speaking to Drumchapel TV, David Hayman offered some final worlds of encouragement to those involved. He said, “I want to wish you all the best. Change the world, be brilliant, be brave, and don’t let anyone tell you can’t do anything. Don’t let anyone trash you…be the star you’re meant to be!”
