Community comes together to unveil new mural in Dudley Fields
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19th September 2025
Customers
Customers of leading Midlands landlord whg have come together to celebrate the unveiling of a vibrant new mural at the Central Drive Community Room in Dudley Fields, Walsall.
The artwork, designed with input from local people and painted by professional graffiti artist Jack Sankson, reflects what community means to residents and how they see their neighbourhood growing together. The mural was officially unveiled by the Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Louise Harrison.
The finished piece was revealed at a community celebration featuring creative workshops and the chance to hear more about whg’s upcoming regeneration work, which will see Dudley Fields become one of the UK’s first Net Zero Neighbourhoods.
Ahead of the event, young people aged 11–24 had the chance to learn graffiti skills and help shape the design, ensuring the mural truly reflected local voices.
Jack Sankson, the local artist behind the mural, said:
“The idea was to capture what community means to local people and what they wanted to see on the wall. That’s how we came up with the word grow – to reflect how this area is about people growing together and supporting one another.”
Vicky, a whg customer, said:
“It has brightened up a very dull corner of the building and I hope people will notice it and see the difference whg and the community are making together. It feels so family and community orientated – it’s absolutely amazing.”
Samantha Johnson, Customer Engagement and Inclusion Manager at whg said:
“We are always looking for new and innovative ways to engage with our customers of all ages. This project was a fantastic opportunity not only to tackle graffiti, but also to bring people together and listen to their voices. The mural now stands as a symbol of pride, creativity and community spirit in Dudley Fields.”
The £8m retrofit programme in the neighbourhood will see up to 160 homes receive energy efficiency upgrades including external wall insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps.
The scheme is being delivered by whg in partnership with Walsall Council, the Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). It is funded through the Bloxwich Town Deal, ECO4 grants, the WMCA’s Net Zero Neighbourhoods programme, and a £2.1m investment from whg.
