As part of Trent Bridge’s Ashes Legacy Project, hoardings around Tren Bridge house are being used for a mural, with the help of groups of young people working with Positive Futures. Artist James Mayle, part of Imageskool, is helping to put the mural on the map.

“I’ve been working on projects like this with Positive Futures for nine years,” he said.

I was initially asked to help with one youth project, and it went from there. I would say I’ve been involved in hundreds since then.”

Despite this commitment to youth project, Mayle has seen what initially started out as a bit of fun alongside his day job develop into something more.

“I’m a graphic designer, this started out as a hobby but since that youth project I’ve been doing stuff like this ever since,” he said.

“I’m really interested in working with children and young people in the community, you get a lot from it and its nice to give something back, to get these people doing something positive and it’s a new experience for them.”

Mayle’s work with Positive Futures isn’t limited to young people in the age groups seen painting Trent Bridge house, or even the county. He has worked on schemes with children aged 4-5, up to the over 50s.

“I do a lot of work with positive futures in Lincolnshire as well, a lot of work with primary and secondary schools, even places like secure units of hospitals or prisons. Even the WI.”

Urban art is always something that divides people, but for Mayle, it offers a chance for the form to be used in a positive manner, as well as affording opportunities to the young people involved.

“I think that the general consensus inside people’s heads is that this sort of art is frowned upon, but if it’s done well, I don’t think there’s anyone that doesn’t like it,” he said.

“It’s all about promoting the project and art positively, promoting the work of young people positively, rather than in a bad light and it’s putting Positive Futures on the map and doing something different.”