CREATIVE volunteers have given a Kidderminster subway a vibrant makeover to raise awareness of homelessness in Wyre Forest.

A new mural in the underpass at the bottom of Station Hill has been painted by National Citizen Service graduates to promote the work of Wyre Forest homeless charity Nightstop.

A group of 13 graduates got involved in creating the art installation as part of a programme to encourage youngsters to learn more about their community and to support a noble, local cause.

The programme, led by YMCA coordinator Tom Smallman, featured an 'action day' project with a theme focusing on homelessness.

The group got in touch with Wyre Forest Council and the Nightstop charity to get the creative project in motion.

They started the paint work on Monday, April 8, and finished the mural on Saturday, April 13.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Co-ordinator Tom Smallman said: "The project is a real positive. It's given young people in the area a chance to spread issues that they are passionate about.

"We are planning on trying to do the same thing again, by representing another local charity with a mural.

Nightstop has worked with the YMCA and the NCS students and graduates for the last three years.

The charity seeks to prevent young people becoming homeless, providing safe, emergency accommodation to those in need.

Judith Ford, CEO of Wyre Forest Nightstop, said: “Wyre Forest Nightstop are delighted to be working with Worcestershire YMCA and the local NCS group.

"They have been a great support to us over the last three years and it fantastic to see young people coming together in our community to benefit those who may be in need of support with their housing.

"The mural looks amazing and we are very proud to see such a colourful representation of our charity in the heart of Kidderminster.

"Volunteering has so much to offer young people and on this occasion they are also benefitting their peers and the public who use the subway.”

NCS graduate Tom Foley said: "I painted the wall because I feel that the area we improved will promote more charity growth in the area, as a group of teenagers doing this shows that we care and other people will care more."

Graduate Tina Sherwin said: "Hearing our theme this year was the homeless, it made me think of how I was unaware of Wyre Forest Nightstop and the help it can provide."

Wyre Forest has been identified as having one of the highest levels of homelessness in the region, according to figures released by housing charity Shelter in 2018.

The number of homeless people in the West Midlands has increased by more than 2,500 to 24,000 in the last year, with Wyre Forest coming in 5th for the highest rate of homelessness in the region.