Creativity and support to beat hate and prejudice

THE creativity of service users, volunteers and team members at Sustain Wakefield is flowing yet again and is set to be showcased at a Family Open Day on August 2.

Following on from the original stage production ‘Into the Light’ in December last year, scripted and performed by Sustain and Richmond Fellowship service users, volunteers and staff, artwork is now being created to celebrate LGBTQ+ and equality.

The project is being funded by Wakefield Council (WMDC) through a Culture Grant and is being supported by professional artist Lewis Ryan.

Fran Lomax, Volunteer and Peer Development Coordinator at Sustain explained the theme for the project came from a discussion with service users around equality, not everything being fair, types of prejudice and who is impacted.

“Our professional artist Lewis works in bright colours and his artwork was ideal for the large wall mural we wanted to create. The artwork is inspiring new ideas, creating a safe space for discussion around stopping hate and prejudice and helping to improve mental health,” said Fran.

About a month into the artwork project and the mural is progressing well.

“The service users shared ideas and everyone’s idea has been represented on the artwork. Everyone has a different style and we have moved people around the mural so each style is across the whole piece,” outlined Fran.

“We are having a lot of fun doing it and keep adding people to the group. It is very popular and those involved are very proud of what’s been achieved so far. It has been a real bonding experience and better than I could have imagined.”

Once complete, the mural will be unveiled at a Family Open Day held at Wakefield Trinity Rugby Ground from 10am – 2pm on Wednesday, August 2.

The free-to-attend event will feature stands from numerous support, advice and guidance and wellbeing groups, charities and organisations from across the Wakefield district. There will also be a live drag act courtesy of Miss Royal Serenity plus a DJ, refreshments, as well as an arts and crafts workshop and facepainting for the under 16s.

“The Open Day also came out of discussion with the drama group and being a victim of hate and prejudice myself, I thought it would be good to have a one stop shop where the public could get info on help and support services all in one place, whilst enjoying some food and entertainment from drag queen, Miss Royal Serenity, who would visualise the LGBTQ element and provide heaps of family fun,” explained Fran.

“I don't think there has been such a large gathering of services supporting and helping to address hate, prejudice, domestic abuse, debt, disabilities and mental health issues before in Wakefield and I believe it is not only unique but needed.”

She added: “We are hoping it will be a popular and informative day and that it may change people's opinion on prejudice, maybe get them to stop and think, unite communities, and offer victims a chance to find help and support.”

The response from organisations approached to take part in the Open Day has been outstanding. There will be specialist advice and support relating to learning difficulties, neurodiversity, drug and alcohol dependency, gender transition, male and female domestic violence, sexual health awareness, hate crime and dependency.

More general but equally essential advice and guidance will also be available around energy costs, debt management, employment and skills, housing, healthy living, mental health, counselling and wellbeing from WMDC, WDH, Sustain, Livewell Wakefield, Richmond Fellowship and Turning Minds Around.

“We are oversubscribed and cannot accommodate every provider who is interested in coming,” enthused Fran who is already taking bookings for an even larger event next year. “It has been very well supported, with services bringing on average three colleagues, and everyone I have asked says they love drag, and it looks like a super fun day!”

After the Open Day, the mural will be on display in St Catherine’s Church, Doncaster Road, Wakefield – where Sustain’s offices are located – and will be open to all to view until May 2026.