Mayo students embark on mural project at Mayo Women's Refuge Centre

Students of St. Gerald's College, Castlebar, have taken on a heart-warming project to paint a vibrant mural on an outside wall of the Mayo Women’s Refuge Centre in the town.

The project aims to bring colour, positivity, and hope to the residents of the centre while showcasing the artistic talents of the students involved.

The initiative was part of the students participation in the Young St. Vincent de Paul programme.

The Young SVP Programme aims to teach young people about the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, its ideas and how the SVP works towards social justice.

The Young SVP programme plays a very significant role within the society. It gives students the opportunity to get involved in positive social justice action within their local community.

The students decided in their brain storming session that they would like to do something to stand up to violence against women and to do what they could to help.

Students worked tirelessly to design and execute the mural, which features uplifting imagery and messages of solidarity and empowerment.

"We decided to go with nature and open green spaces, we wanted the mural to be peaceful, the mural includes tress, rivers, mountains and images of nature that we hope will evoke a sense of peace and hope in the lives of those who are staying in the refuge." explained Aaron, one of the members of the Young SVP group.

"We were very aware of the space that we were in and that we had to show respect during our time there."

The local SVP Education Conference St Aloysius Conference funded the project and welcomed the collaboration between SVP, Safe Ireland Mayo and the local school.

Safe Ireland Mayo is under the governance of Safe Ireland and is the front-line agency in County Mayo working with women and their children experiencing domestic abuse and coercive control.

Safe Ireland Mayo has thanked the TY students of St. Gerald's and everyone involved for creating this colorful, bright and fun mural.

Safe Ireland Mayo offer a range of supports in County Mayo.

Refuge Accommodation: Crisis refuge accommodation located in Castlebar. Five units of self-contained accommodation, four family units and one single unit.

Outreach Supports are located at 12 locations in the County to meet with women face to face to offer support and information on the rights and entitlements.

The Outreach locations are Achill, Ballina, Ballinrobe, Belmullet, Ballyhaunis, Castlebar, Charlestown, Claremorris, Louisburgh, Kiltimagh, Swinford, Westport.

Children’s Supports: Support for children in outreach and refuge including individual programs of support and group work

The local Society of St. Vincent de Paul built the Refuge with the help of the Archdiocese of Tuam that donated the site and the local Sisters of Mercy who contributed a substantial donation.

However, it is Safe Ireland that manages the Mayo Womens Support Services (MWSS).

The St. Aloysius Conference is a group of SVP volunteers that supports students (for example with bursaries, occupational therapy, and psychology assessments, up to and including third level.

Helen Ralph, Youth Development Officer for SVP in the West, stated: "I think this is a very important project within the community.

"Understanding the seriousness of violence against women and coercive control is crucial for young men as it empowers them to break the cycle of abuse, promote healthy relationships, and contribute to building a safer and more respectful society for all.

"This project not only makes the space nicer aesthetically but also signifies that people within the community are there to help.

"In the SVP we try to help people to participate fully in society and reach out to people who may be on the margins of society and so for us this project was a really beautiful way to show women and families who are dealing with this situation, that we are here and want to help."

It is hoped that this project will inspire other schools to get involved with the Young SVP programme in their area, and organisations to undertake similar initiatives that promote inclusivity and compassion.