Friends of the Countess of Chester Country Park, Chester

• Outdoor Arts / Crafts • 130 participants / 6 volunteers • 3 sessions (February 2022)

Bring communities together Funding will ensure people feel safe participating

Free mosaic workshops at the Friendly Bench in the Countess of Chester park were intended to bring the community out of isolation to a safe outdoor setting and together in participatory creative sessions.

Funding enabled three craft sessions with Aleta Doran, artist in residence at Chester Cathedral, supported by volunteers, this helped the local community see another side to what the park offers and another level of interest for those who visit, bringing people together in a calm and relaxed setting and enabled everyone to take part for free.

“It showcased the park and the benefits it offers to people who have not visited before but who will hopefully return.” - Lead

Participant’s comment: “I haven’t done any creative activities with my family since before the pandemic and chose to come to this activity because it is outside.”

LEGACY: The final session was delayed until March due to the storms. Following this experience, the park would like to offer a wider variety of creative activities and these links have been supported. Aleta’s work is on display in the Countess of Chester Park and she is curating the Constellations exhibition at Chester Cathedral in spring, offering further opportunities to participate in mosaic workshops.