Project Parr

Project Parr is an artistic collective run by a group of young people from Broad Oak Community Primary School with support from artists Andy Field and Beckie Darlington and Heart of Glass. Running for three years from 2024-2027, the aim of the collective is to make art for, with and about the people of Parr in St Helens.
The project uses creativity, collaboration, and place-based thinking to bring the children’s ideas to life and support them as active citizens shaping the future of their neighbourhood.
At the end of the three years the collective will have explored Parr and it's communities, imagined projects they would like to see in their neighbourhood, learned how to make those projects happen and brought some of them to life.

In Spring 2026 The Project Parr collective released a book; Beautiful Things, full of ideas for projects they would like to make happen in their community. Since the launch of the book the collective have reflected on responses to the book from adults and children alike and then, through a thoughtful decision-making process, voted on which of their original 8 ideas they would like to deliver in Spring/Summer 2027.

What happens next?

The collective, supported by Andy and Beckie, will develop these ideas over the next year. The children will continue to lead the decision-making and delivery with the aim of a major public sharing of the final project in Parr in Summer 2027. This year-long process will see the children developing the resources and skills they need to realise their proposals.
Alongside this Heart of Glass will be looking at fundraising and partnership opportunities to support them.

The children shared their wonderful, bold and imaginative ideas to inspire change and spark conversation in and beyond Parr. For this reason it is important to all of us that the children who form the Project Parr collective continue to play the most important role bringing these projects to life.

Interested in the children's ideas?

If you are interested in hearing more about the children’s work, would like to discuss ways in which you might be able to support them to realise their ideas, or feel inspired by the proposals in their brilliant book and are considering incorporating them into your own independent events please first contact kate@heartofglass.org.uk to discuss further.

For their second year the collective wrote, Beautiful Things: A book of amazing ideas for Parr, a book describing in the children’s own words of a variety of projects they would like to make happen in the area. Alongside these ideas are interviews, written and hosted by the children, with local changemakers to learn more about what’s required for ordinary people to make change in their own communities.

In February 2026 the collective hosted a book launch event, presenting the book to local partners, decision-makers, community organisations, and supporters, offering the opportunity to hear directly from the young authors. Attendees gave feedback on their plans and celebrated their imaginative ideas for the future of Parr.

The children's ideas have been brought to life through illustrations by Rhi Moxon and graphic design by Will Brady.

In its first year the collective made a new documentary film, The Beautiful Things About, which told the story of Parr through the children’s own words and pictures alongside interviews they conducted with people from across the community.

With special thanks for participation in the film

Cath Brooks (Health Promotion Officer, Torus Foundation), Nicola Griffiths (Volunteer Coordinator, St Helens Health and Wellbeing Services), Stewart Brown (former Bold Colliery Miner), Councillor Bisi Osundeko (Elected Labour Councillor for Parr ward, St Helens), Miss Bancroft, Geoff Newton (AtoB Taxis), Ervis Kalemi (The Master Fryer Fish Bar), Bill, Dolly, Joe and staff at Madison Court Care Home, the team at Save Express Convenience Store, Parr Sports and Community Centre and Derbyshire Hill Family Centre, and to all of the staff at Broad Oak Community Primary School.

Thanks also to Sue and John Darlington, Mike Myshko, Tamsin Curry, Gary Conley and Jim Housley (Northwest Miners Heritage Association).

Awards

On 10th July 2025, The Beautiful Things About was awarded the Digital Art Award (Primary School Aged Children Category) at the St Helens LCEP - Youth Open Art Competition. We're extremely proud of our young collaborators for their win!