Gleadless Valley Medical Centre
Sheffield, 2026
Valley Life - A mural for the Gleadless Valley community
The Gleadless Medical Centre mural was developed through a month of community engagement before painting began. We spent time speaking with local residents, gathering stories and ideas that helped shape the final artwork.
As part of the research process, we joined a wassail led by Megan from the Wildlife Trust, where we learned about the history of the ancient orchard opposite the medical centre. We also delivered a workshop with Gleadless Valley Film Fam, taking inspiration from Nicky’s lovely photographs of daisies, and held conversations with patients in the medical centre waiting room. Workshops with Emma and Beth’s youth groups provided further ideas and perspectives that became part of the mural.
The project was as much about the people as the painting itself. Spending time in Gleadless, listening to the wildlife, meeting residents and hearing their stories became an important part of the process and informed the character of the final piece.
The project was as much about the people as the painting itself. Spending time in Gleadless, listening to the wildlife, meeting residents and hearing their stories became an important part of the process and informed the character of the final piece.
We are grateful to Sheffield City Council, the staff at Gleadless Medical Centre and everyone at Gleadless Valley TARA for supporting the project. A special feature of the mural is the inclusion of fourteen hidden ladybirds, an idea suggested by Lara from the TARA to represent the S14 area and encourage closer engagement with the artwork.
The project was documented throughout by Gleadless Valley Film Fam, with Brendan producing photography and a timelapse of the painting process. Conversations with local residents, including Darren, Tony, Nicky, Jack, Marv and Laura, also became an important part of the experience, helping to shape our understanding of the area and contributing to the sense of community reflected in the finished mural.
