Graffiti-inspired art project led by local young people featured at the Heathfield Show, now wraps Lightning Fibre cabinet.

Young people from the local community teamed up with a professional graffiti artist to create a unique, eye-catching art installation unveiled at this year’s Heathfield Agricultural Show. The project, led by junior youth members aged 10–13, celebrates both their local identity and their passion for art, nature, and community.

The idea for the project was sparked when Tracy Hobden, Heathfield Show Coordinator, visited the junior sessions at Heathfield Youth Hub to invite them to participate in the Show.

Through lively discussion aided by East Sussex County Council Youth Workers, Leesha Daniells and Ed Peasgood, the young people expressed a desire to make something visual that represented their experiences at the Youth Hub and their appreciation of Heathfield's local environment.

To bring the vision to life, local graffiti artist Tom Goulden, from children’s rights charity Priority 1-54, was invited to lead a workshop as part of the county council’s holiday food and fun programme during the Easter school holidays.

Some boards, which became the canvas for the project were donated by Morgan Sindall Construction, who are working on the current scheme to redevelop the Heathfield Youth Hub building. Local Year 5 and Year 6 pupils joined regular youth club members to graffiti the boards, each featuring natural themes tied to the local environment.

‘I loved working alongside the group to create artwork inspired by them and their local area. It’s great to see a new youth facility in the town designed and created in dynamic ways by the young people. Fantastic partnership and a fantastic project’ said Tom Goulden, graffiti artist.

These vibrant boards were displayed at the Heathfield Show in May and in an exciting development, Lightning Fibre, enthusiastic community supporters, were so impressed by the young people’s artwork they offered to wrap the Heathfield broadband network cabinet in the colourful designs. The cabinet in Station Road is part of Lightning Fibre’s full fibre broadband rollout in the area, bringing hyperfast internet speeds to homes and businesses in Heathfield.

Emma Pearce, Head of Marketing at Lightning Fibre added: ‘We are so delighted to provide another opportunity for these young artists’ brilliant work to be showcased for everyone to see in Heathfield.’

‘We are keen to work with young people in the community to raise awareness of the Show and the importance of agriculture and environment in the local area, so this was a perfect project to be involved with. The Youth Hub offers so much to the young community of Heathfield, and we look forward to working on future projects with them’ said Tracy Hobden, Heathfield Show Coordinator.

She added: ‘Our thanks must go to Lightning Fibre, who went full speed ahead to use these magnificent pieces of work and create the wrap for the Heathfield cabinet’.

Councillor Bob Bowdler, lead member for children and families at East Sussex County Council, said: ‘This art project has been a great way for local young people to express their feelings about their Youth Hub and their community.

‘It is fantastic the artwork they designed for the Heathfield Show is now wrapping the Lightning Fibre cabinet in Heathfield for all to see. I’d like to thank everyone who worked so hard on this project.’

The Heathfield Youth Hub building is currently being redeveloped into a new, purpose-built, accessible youth centre. During the development works, the Youth Hub continues to be a cornerstone for youth engagement, fostering creativity, community, and support for the young people of East Sussex.