Horsham’s Mobile Community Hub given makeover after council launches design competition

A design project launched by Horsham District Council (HDC) saw young artists compete to create a new look for the Mobile Community Hub.
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The winning design was created by Collyer’s student Fuzzy Isaacs, and it will now be used to revamp the mobile youth provision service vehicle – formerly known as the Snack Wagon – ahead of it getting back on the road post lockdown.

Head of art at Collyer’s, Susie McAlister, said: “At a time when our community is at the forefront of all our minds, to be able to make a positive contribution to everyone’s well-being has been a welcome opportunity for all involved.

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“We strongly believe that it is important for our students to see their art at work within their community, developing an understanding of the positive contribution the arts can make, within society as a whole.

Collyer's student Fuzzy Isaacs won Horsham District Council's competition to create a new design for the Mobile Community Hub SUS-210329-141020001Collyer's student Fuzzy Isaacs won Horsham District Council's competition to create a new design for the Mobile Community Hub SUS-210329-141020001
Collyer's student Fuzzy Isaacs won Horsham District Council's competition to create a new design for the Mobile Community Hub SUS-210329-141020001

“I am immensely proud of the artwork created by our students and thank their teachers, Ian and Amanda, for their dedication directing this entire project online during lockdown and for HDC for giving us this opportunity.”

HDC has been working in partnership with the Horsham college’s art department for the project, as well as entrepreneur Nick Broom, chief executive of PVL – a leading company creating high visibility markings for emergency service, highways and security vehicles.

Ian McAlister, art and graphics teacher and director for higher education progression at Collyer’s, said: “When we were first approached by HDC’s community development officer, Lucy Hargreaves, about the project, we realised that this would be an excellent opportunity for our second year A Level graphic communication students, as it embodied all of the experience and skills they will need as they progress onto graphic design degrees and the creative workplace.”

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Collyer’s student artists thoroughly enjoyed working to a professional brief, with winner Fuzzy Isaacs saying she was ‘so happy to work on a project that helped others’, while fellow student Emily Richardson felt it introduced her to a ‘realistic version of commissions, deadlines and briefs.’

For a number of years the Mobile Community Hub has been a key component within the Horsham town area providing a range of detached youth work in a variety of settings for young people aged 13 to 18 years.

With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions the newly liveried vehicle will continue to engage with young people and provide advice and resources on lots of issues, particularly those generated by Covid-19.

Cllr Tricia Youtan, HDC’s cabinet member for community matters and wellbeing, said: “I think this is a great initiative to involve our younger community in using their creative skills on a real project which will ultimately help promote an important service for local young people.

“I look forward to seeing the final design.”