Episode 7: Art, action and legacy – the transformation of Chatham through Arches Big Local

Local Trust podcast

Nestled in Arches in Chatham, Kent, you’ll find a series of striking murals adorning the town – one of them being a radioactive cabbage surrounded by men in hazmat suits. To uncover the story behind these murals and learn more about Arches Big Local, we spoke to co-chair Kate Mechedou. Kate, who got involved in the programme after discovering the Arches community hub and its art group, shines a light on how the partnership commissioned the murals and how they’ve helped to address anti-social behaviour in the community. As well as the murals, Arches Big Local has actively engaged young people through impactful initiatives like the ‘Fit and Fed’ project, which offers sports activities and nutritious meals for children during the school holidays. They’ve also successfully secured additional funding, including from the Levelling Up Fund, allowing them to maintain flower baskets in the local area and revamp the local Luton Millennium Green – helping to secure a lasting legacy of community-driven improvements.