{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Alanah Reid, Creative Content Producer and Karen Currums, Local Growth Officer","standfirst":"In the heart of the Wirral, a huge mural celebrating Scouts has been painted proudly in Brighton Street, Wallasey. With the Wirral Scouts logo, #SkillsForLife strapline and two Scouts chatting around a campfire, it\u2019s a fitting tribute to Scouts in their local community.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EOn 4 November, Wirral Scouts came together to celebrate Scouts in their District, toast marshmallows, and most importantly, unveil their new 72 square metre mural.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAfter young people and Local Growth Officer, Karen Currums, chose a design for the mural, local artist Paul Curtis spent 10 days painting on the side of a Care \u0026amp; Community building \u2013 an organisation empowering 16\u201321-year-olds to learn life skills after leaving the care system.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAs well as the \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.paulcurtisartwork.com/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eartist Paul Curtis\u003C/a\u003E, Wirral Scouts were joined by Jerry Williams (Wirral Mayor), \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/our-people/scout-adventurers/\u0022 title=\u0022Scout Adventurers\u0022\u003ESean Conway (Scouts Adventurer)\u003C/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022/volunteer/uk-scouts-volunteering/uk-leadership-team/chief-volunteer-of-england-elizabeth-henderson/\u0022 title=\u0022Chief Commissioner of England - Elizabeth Henderson\u0022\u003ELiz Henderson (Chief Commissioner of England)\u003C/a\u003E to reveal the finished mural for the first time.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt was a particularly special day for Scouts and volunteers in the area. They were delighted to see the finished mural and felt especially proud to be Wirral Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/h0ibdv1s/street-view-of-wirral-scouts-mural.jpg","width":1440,"height":1440,"altText":"The image shows the Wirral Scouts mural, painted on the side of a brick building. The photo has been taken from the street, and there is a yellow bus stop and lamp post next to a hedge in front of the mural. The photo aims to show the size of the mural to someone walking down the street.","caption":"View of the Wirral Scouts mural from the street. Photo taken by Sean Conway.","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EThe meaning behind the mural\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EKaren had been thinking about ways to make Wirral Scouts more visible. She thought, \u2018How many people truly know Scouts meet on a Tuesday night to give young people skills for life and positively impact the local community?\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETogether, they wanted to recognise Wirral Scouts\u2019 achievements over the years, show the movement as relevant and active, and hopefully encourage their community to find out more.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA mural seemed like the perfect way to attract attention, celebrate the movement and hopefully increase the fantastic work Scouts is doing in the IMD-1 area, where opportunities for young people are needed most.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe painting shows two Scouts, Birkenhead Explorer Jack and West Wirral Scout Beatrice, sharing a joyful moment around a campfire. It truly represents the warmth and friendship of Scouts.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Ch3\u003EThe artist and location\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPaul Curtis is an experienced mural painter, who\u2019s well known in the Merseyside area. When Karen told him about the history of Scouts in the Wirral District, he was inspired and very keen to paint the mural.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWith a design in mind and an artist on board, the next step was to decide a location. Karen told us they chose the wall of the Care \u0026amp; Community building, who help teenagers adjust to life after being in care.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Where better to paint a Scouts mural than on the side of an organisation\u2019s building who are also supporting young people?\u2019 said Karen. \u2018It\u2019s the perfect merging of two youth-oriented organisations doing fantastic work in the community, especially since community partnerships are a key objective in the Wirral Growth Project.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/ipfgdc2e/paul-curtis-presenting-mural-ideas-to-wirral-scouts.jpg","width":934,"height":960,"altText":"The image shows Merseyside-based artist, Paul Curtis, drawing on a whiteboard. The whiteboard is on a green wall, and there are a few Scouts facing him as he writes on the board. Together, they\u0027re coming up with ideas for the Wirral Scouts mural.","caption":"Local artist Paul Curtis came together with Scouts to come up with an idea for the mural.","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ELed by young people\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYoung people were involved in the project every step of the way. It was important the project was youth shaped from the start.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u2018I was very keen to get youth voice into the project,\u2019 said Karen. \u2018I created and sent a survey to all Wirral Groups. I asked them to build it into their programmes by explaining the project and asking the young people what they\u2019d like the mural to look like.\u2019\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EKaren asked questions like:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhat values should we be trying to show in our Scouts mural?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhat do we want people to think and feel when they look at it?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWho do we want in the mural?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhat would you paint?\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn total, Karen got 102 responses through the survey and visiting local groups.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"I want people to feel like they want to be a part of it, feel safe and invited in.","attribution":"Wirral Cub","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"I would paint a cub camp with a campfire and marshmallows.","attribution":"Wallasey Cub","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/mb5b1ovr/ideas-for-wirral-scouts-mural-drawn-by-young-people.jpg","width":870,"height":488,"altText":"The image shows six different drawings by young Scouts, who are all coming up with ideas for the Wirral Scouts mural. All the drawings have been done by hand using colour pens and pencils.","caption":"Some ideas for the mural, as drawn by young people in the area.","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EYoung people chosen\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EJack and Beatrice were the two members chosen to be in the finished piece. It represents a special Scouts moment \u2013 enjoying a chat around a warming campfire and making friends and memories.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"Jack and Beatrice met only 10 minutes before the concept photoshoot and they got on immediately. This is what happens when you\u2019re a Scout. You share pride of being a part of something bigger and you feel confident that you\u2019re accepted and this makes meeting new people and making friends easier. Before you know it, you\u2019re sat around a campfire with someone you\u2019ve only just met, playing rock, paper scissors and sharing Scout adventure stories. Even when the photoshoot had finished, we couldn\u2019t stop them chatting. Friends for life!","attribution":"Karen Currums, Local Growth Officer","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/witfzudq/sean-conway-mural.jpg","width":1440,"height":1440,"altText":"In the image, Sean Conway stands with artist Paul Curtis in front of the Wirral Scouts mural. Sean\u0027s wearing a red white and navy necker and is stood next to Paul on his right hand side. Both are smiling at the camera.","caption":"Sean Conway stands with artist Paul Curtis in front of the Wirral Scouts mural.","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EAs well as the Scouts themselves making friends, Jack being 17 years old made the mural an even greater connection with Care \u0026amp; Community Ltd, who care for young people the same age.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWith a design created, Paul Curtis picked up his paintbrush on 23 October and started bringing the mural to life.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"I was over the moon to represent Scouts. I love Scouts \u2013 it\u2019s so much fun and we get to do so many exciting things.","attribution":"Beatrice, Scout from West Wirral","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"I\u2019ve been a part of the Wirral Scouts community for 10 years now. I\u2019ve learned a lot of valuable skills while having fun too. My biggest Scouts achievement was being selected and fundraising to attend the 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea this Summer, where I met Scouts from all over the world and have made some great friends.","attribution":"Jack, Explorer from Birkenhead","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","image":"/media/gjyhmdkw/liz-henderson-with-yp-in-mural.jpg","width":3868,"height":5061,"altText":"Chief Commissioner for England, Liz Henderson, stands in between Beatrice and Jack, the two Scouts featured in the Wirral Scouts mural. They\u0027re stood in front of the mural in Scout uniform and are smiling at the camera.","caption":"Liz Henderson stands with Beatrice and Jack, the two Scouts featured in the mural.","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EThe big unveiling\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWith the mural finished and ready to be admired, Scouts from across the District gathered together to unveil the mural.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ELots of young people came early to help set up for the event. Once everything was ready, they headed into Care \u0026amp; Community Ltd to learn more about the work they do.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAround 75 people came for the unveiling. They enjoyed food and beverages, while listening to Sean Conway and Liz Henderson say a few words.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"Scouts provides such an important avenue for kids to learn essential skills for life. I\u2019m really proud to support the great work they do. Scouts needs volunteers, so if you have the time, please do consider it. Today I was lucky enough to unveil a mural by the brilliant @paulcurtisartwork in Wirral which epitomises a snapshot of being in Scouts \u2013 sitting around a campfire laughing with friends.","attribution":"Sean Conway, Scout Adventurer","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022/explorers/\u0022 title=\u0022Explorers\u0022\u003EExplorers\u003C/a\u003E decided to become \u2018Explorer Reporters\u2019 for the day, asking the attendees what they thought of the mural. The response was overwhelmingly positive.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOne Explorer asked Liz Henderson what she thought of the mural. She replied \u2018I think it\u2019s fabulous and really eye catching \u2013 it\u2019s huge, you can\u2019t fail to see it. I think it really demonstrates how we can collaborate together and the essence of what Scouts is all about.\u0027\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAnother Explorer reflected on meeting Sean Conway, saying \u0027It was a really nice experience meaning Sean. I was inspired by his unmatched work ethic and his determination that if he has a goal he will hold to it, such as his astonishing 105 Ironmans in 105 days, which is unheard of.\u0027\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"quoteText":"Working with Paul on this mural has been a dream. We\u2019ve a huge number of Scouts right across the region, but to keep doing the work we\u2019re doing, we need to rely on adult volunteers. We hope Paul\u2019s amazing mural will spark the imagination of local people and inspire them to help Scouts realise their potential. We had a fantastic day bringing the community together for the unveiling and celebrating all the brilliant work our Scouts and volunteers do every day. We\u2019re delighted with the mural and extremely grateful to Paul for providing us with a lasting legacy for the Wirral Scouts.","attribution":"Karen Currums, Local Growth Officer","gridType":"quote","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA huge thank you to Karen Currums for sharing the story with us. We\u2019ve loved hearing about the fantastic Wirral mural.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe hope it inspires the community to get involved in Scouts and makes young people and volunteers feel proud.\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#002f6c","title":"A truly inspiring story","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"20 November 2023","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Volunteer at Scouts","url":null,"newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Meet the real Iron Man, Sean Conway","url":"/news/2023/october/meet-the-real-iron-man-sean-conway/","newWindow":false},{"caption":"","title":"Find out more about the mural artist, Paul Curtis","url":"https://www.paulcurtisartwork.com/","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[],"id":77778,"nodeName":"The Big Picture: A Scouts mural is unveiled in the Wirral","title":"The Big Picture: A Scouts mural is unveiled in the Wirral","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/h0ibdv1s/street-view-of-wirral-scouts-mural.jpg?width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1da1bbbbb9cca20","caption":"Street View Of Wirral Scouts Mural","type":"jpg","size":291141,"width":1440,"height":1440,"altText":""},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"The Big Picture: A Scouts mural is unveiled in the Wirral","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Local artist, Paul Curtis, has collaborated with Wirral Scouts in Merseyside to celebrate Scouts\u2019 vibrant role in their community.  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