MOSAIC panels created by more than 200 local residents and 90 students are going on display across Tameside as part of a project raising awareness of hate crime.
The colourful artworks have been created by community groups, young people and Tameside College students during a series of sessions held over the past 12 months.
The project was delivered by Tameside Council’s Community Safety Partnership, with participants learning about what constitutes a hate incident or hate crime and how victims can get support.
Professional artist Caroline Coates then worked with nine groups to turn their ideas into individual mosaic panels, with each group creating a message reflecting their own experiences and covering different strands of hate crime.
The finished panels are now being displayed around the borough, including at Ashton Interchange and Hyde Bus Station.
The seven community panels at the two transport hubs are expected to be seen by thousands of residents and students using the facilities.
Meanwhile, panels created by Tameside College students as part of the Arts Award Discover programme are on display at the college’s Beaufort Road and Old Street sites.
Groups involved in the project included Water Adventure Centre in Droylsden, The Power of Resilience Stalybridge CIC, Thomas Ashton School, Outloud LGBTQ Tameside, Tameside Youth Council, Ashton Youth Club, Young People & Tameside Health Group, Hyde Town Centre Residents Drop In and Tameside College ESOL groups.
Councillor Stephen Homer, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Towns, Transport and Connectivity, said: “It is excellent to see the fantastic Mosaic Panels bringing such an important message to life.
“Those involved have played a significant role in raising awareness of hate crime and its impact, while also supporting efforts to create a more inclusive, respectful and welcoming Tameside.
“We also want to thank Transport for Greater Manchester for helping us display the artwork across the borough.”
Howad Hartley, Facilities Director at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “We’re always proud to work alongside local communities, and this is a great way to shine a light on this project. Created by local people, these mosaics celebrate respect and peace, and we’re delighted to display them at our bus stations for Bee Network passengers to see.”
The initiative forms part of the wider Greater Manchester ‘Let’s End Hate Crime’ campaign. Anyone experiencing hate crime can report it online or directly to Greater Manchester Police.