Students from a SU Society have taken up the opportunity to paint large-scale murals on a wall in a Coventry Police station wellness room.

The initiative developed through a previous SU-run Wellbeing event in The Hub, where the Campus Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) asked whether students from our Art Society wanted to paint a mural. The rest is history.

“Taking opportunities through the Students’ Union has allowed me to develop my confidence, leadership skills and creative practice,” said Maristella Barbera, student and Art Soc President, who took up the opportunity.

"This mural project also helped me progress towards further opportunities, including my current street art training with Coventry City Council, Arts Council England and Art Fund.

“I believe art can connect people a lot, and the Students’ Union has helped us bring art to people who would never even think to do it.”

Not only did Maristella create impactful work while doing a hobby she loves, but she also developed leadership and project management skills by designing, adapting and coordinating the mural.

Your SU and West Midlands Police have been working closely together since 2023 through the campus PCSO, who has been present at Wellbeing Fairs and a monthly Tea and Talk with your Campus PCSO.

Rachel Nafzger, SU Student Support and Wellbeing Coordinator, who has helped develop the partnership, said: “This project has been great; I am always happy when we’re able to link students with the community and show off what they can do."

“Then you add the wellbeing element to it on top; this will positively boost so many people’s wellbeing, from the students designing and painting the murals to the people who will have the pleasure of looking at them.

“I am really proud of the students involved for running the whole project.”

Your SU and West Midlands Police have worked closely for a number of years, keeping students informed and safe on the streets of Coventry with their presence and joint communications.

And for Paul Joyce, Chief Superintendent of Coventry Police, this opportunity has only progressed the partnership.

"Coventry Police work closely with the university and the SU to make sure all students living, working, and studying in the city have a positive experience."

“We are always looking for new ways to build connections with our student community, so having some of them at the station has been fantastic.

"They have volunteered their time outside of their studies to help make the wellness room at Chace Avenue Police Station a more welcoming place for all; thank you to the Art Society students who took part.”

Meanwhile, Maristella, a recent Business Management graduate, offered some advice about taking opportunities.

“If I didn’t get involved with the SU, I wouldn’t have been here (as a graduate) today."

“At the moment, I am doing street art training with Coventry City Council, the Arts Council and Art Fund, so without this SU project with the West Midlands Police, I wouldn’t have been selected.

“Students should definitely get involved with the Students’ Union.”

Make sure you check the SU website for wellbeing-related events across the academic year.

Find out more about our wellbeing offer and what support is available to you.