Students from Rotherham Opportunities College (ROC) have created artwork that will welcome travellers to Woodhouse Station.
With the help of charity ArtWorks and their teachers, the students’ work has been set out on five bespoke aluminium panels fitted to the buildings. The pieces showcase themes around the railways and the Woodhouse community, inspired by the college’s adoption of the station about three years ago.
“The whole college was involved in this project”, says ROC teacher Nicola Lane. “Our dedicated students firstly met virtually with professional artists from ArtWorks to discuss patterns, colours and different ideas. Everyone was invested, feeling a sense of achievement and proud to make a positive contribution to the community.
“The final display is a long time in planning, achieved despite the impact of Covid-19. It is fantastic to see our pupils so enthusiastic about not only creating the art pieces but coming up with other ideas to improve the station in the future. We are so proud of them.”
The aim of ROC is to help young people with special educational requirements find their place in the community, become as independent as possible and find work whilst leading a healthy life.
The project was delivered through a collaboration between ROC and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), with support from Northern Railways.
Director of public transport operations at SYMCA, Tim Taylor, added: “The installation at Woodhouse Rail Station shows the positive impact Community Rail projects can have in engaging local people and connecting them to local transport services, as well as promoting wellbeing and inclusion within a community. It also shows how Community Rail projects can benefit the wider rail network, improving the travelling experience for everyone and creating spaces that help to reduce anti-social behaviour.
“We hope that the artworks will not only provide passengers with a pleasant waiting environment but give local people pride in Woodhouse Rail Station.”
