Beacons of Hope
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The Story Behind the Art
The Project
Building on the success of the award-winning WAY Beacons project—which has supported children and young people at Great Western Hospital (GWH) and within Swindon’s community since July 2023—the Beacons of Hope project aims to raise awareness of the challenges young people face and ensure they can access the support they need.
Co-designed with Children and Young People
As part of this initiative, the project collaborated with children and young people from Swindon’s Youth Justice Service and Swindon’s Young Changemakers, along with locally based artist Dario Santos. Together, they explored their experiences and ideas to create two murals that tell a story of hope.
Great Western Hospital
The first mural, located at Great Western Hospital, depicts a whale emerging from a storm, symbolising resilience in the face of adversity. Guided by lights, the whale moves toward a Beacon of Hope, representing a brighter future.
The Base Youth Centre
The second mural, at The Base Youth Centre in Park North, continues this journey. It portrays the whale carrying that hope forward into a future filled with possibilities and opportunity.
A Brighter Future for Children and Young People
By engaging young people in this creative process, the Beacons of Hope project empowers them to express their ideas, embrace their strengths, and build a sense of belonging. It encourages them to realise their potential and make positive choices for their future.
A Brighter Swindon
These murals contribute to Swindon’s rich tradition of public art, transforming spaces with vibrant, meaningful expressions of community resilience, inclusivity, and hope.
Project Partners
