Normally, you won’t find many pensioners picking up a paint can to tag the city – but it’s proving a powerful way to fend off social isolation and loneliness among housing association tenants in Glasgow.
The wonderfully alliterative Graffiti Grandparents let elderly residents with Wheatley Group’s Loretto and Glasgow housing associations get a lesson in street art at arts venue SWG3 in the city’s Partick area.
They channelled their inner Banksys to create large-scale murals themed around the group’s Livingwell service – as well as getting a tour of the other murals at the centre and the history and heritage of street art from Dave Knox, who took the session.
“People have a misconception that graffiti art is just for young people. We need to break down that barrier,” he said.
“It is good to get the message across that it is for everyone and everyone can have a shot at expressing themselves.”
The scheme is open to all the tenants who receive the Livingwell service, which is designed to help older people live in their homes for longer and connect them to their community.
