A NEW mural has been completed in Chester's St. Anne's Street as part of a collaboration between mental health crisis centre Café 71, local artists, residents and Chester Police.

The artwork, can be seen on the outside wall of the Newtown building and features vibrant flowers and patterns alongside the centre's Café 71 title.

The vision for the mural came from Cheshire Police community support officer, Helen Hewitt, who facilitated design sessions with Café 71 members, involving them in every element of design, right through to the final spray painting.

Helen explains: "The aim was to improve the aesthetics of the building and the area for local residents - while boosting mental health for volunteers through community interaction and learning new skills. Funding was successfully acquired through the Community Policing Fund.

Chester and District Standard: The graffitied wall before work began.The graffitied wall before work began.

"I am absolutely delighted with the results - which was a huge team effort by local artist Mark and the volunteers in this project. An incredible amount of time was put into the mural from the design process and practice sessions through to the actual production. The result is a very bright addition to Café 71, residents and visitors alike."

Run by the Spider Project CIC in partnership with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), Café 71 is a non-clinical community space designed to help anyone who is struggling to cope in a crisis. The mural's design also features the project's motto: Community. Creativity. Recovery.

Local artist, Mark Funge from Laughing Crow Design, also came on board and was incredibly generous with his time, pulling the design together and coaching members in using spray paints, enabling them to participate in the actual painting process.

Chester and District Standard: The project brought many local organisations together.The project brought many local organisations together.

Andrew Herbert, Cafe71 manager, said: "The mural’s flower theme reflects both our members’ interest in nature and its position on the new Wildlife Connections Trail. The trail runs all the way from Chester Zoo’s nature reserve, through the Countess of Chester Country Park, then down to City Forest Garden, also known as ‘Supertrees’.

"At Café 71, we love to see the power of creativity and community to enable recovery. We have been delighted to see people working together to complete such an impressive public art project."

Housing provider, Sanctuary, supported the mural project through its Community Investment Fund, which provides grants for community initiatives that make a difference to the lives of local residents.

Ria Burns, Sanctuary’s neighbourhood partnerships manager, said: "We aim to support projects that bring people together and increase their connection to others, helping them to really feel part of their community. It’s been great to see so many people working together to produce this wonderful piece of art."

Sean Boyle, CWP clinical director for the First Response Service, said: "Crisis cafes play a vital role in improving peoples’ experience of urgent mental health care by providing nonclinical, warm and welcoming, safe spaces for people seeking support whilst in mental health distress. They are also a way for people to get help from trained staff and peers on coping with or preventing future mental health crisis.

"Since Café 71 opened in early 2020 it has gone from strength to strength, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research shows peer support can improve people’s wellbeing by building larger support networks, and better self-esteem, confidence and social skills. It’s great to see members creating such an eye-catching design and shining a light on Cafe71’s important role in the community."

Café 71 is open 10am-midnight, 365 days a year for people struggling with emotional and psychological distress and considering themselves to be in a self-defined crisis. Alternatively, CWP’s urgent mental health helpline is open 24 hours, 7 days a week and is open to people of all ages – including children and young people. Please call 0800 145 6485 and dedicated local staff will support you to access the help you need.