St Albans Rainbow Trails to spread positivity met with ‘phenomenal’ response
Preet Cox, who started the St Albans Rainbow Trails group, with her three sons Theo, Charlie and Harrison and husband James. Picture: Preet Cox - Credit: Archant
A St Albans mum has encouraged members of her street and the wider community to display artwork in their windows as a symbol of hope and positivity amid the coronavirus crisis.
Alette Addison took to drawing her rainbow directly on to the window. Picture: Alette Addison - Credit: Archant
The St Albans Rainbow Trails Facebook group has seen more than 1,500 people join since being set up by Preet Cox on Friday last week, and is making strides in spreading positivity across the city and district.
Mum-of-three Preet set up the group after seeing a similar initiative set up in the US.
Alisha Ardeshna created a 3D rainbow. Picture: Alisha Ardeshna - Credit: Archant
She told the Herts Ad: “With everything going on I thought it was really positive and wanted to do something similar, so I set up a Facebook group and it’s just grown so much.
“We’ve had so many members of the community supporting it, it’s just been phenomenal really. It’s engaging people of all ages.
Aulay and Beatrice Lonsdale turning the garden wall into a colourful rainbow. Picture: Supplied - Credit: Archant
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“Someone said a neighbour from across the road posted a thank you note through their door – there have been lots of kind gestures which are coming out of this group.
“That’s really important in this current time, people are spreading positivity through art.”
Key workers' children who are attending Busy Bees Marshalswick have also been getting involved in the initiative. Picture: Busy Bees Marshalswick - Credit: Archant
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Preet added that it’s a great way to relax and come together with all members of the family.
“It’s having a huge positive impact on mental health,” she continued.
Preet Cox and son Charlie created this postive message as part of the St Albans Rainbow Trail. Picture: Preet Cox - Credit: Archant
“We have to keep uplifting one another, we all need to help one another.
“It’s a nice activity families can do together and a good way of expressing your own way of dealing with isolation.”
Charlotte, Tom and Max Bolton proudly show their rainbow drawings in their window at home. Picture: Michelle Bolton - Credit: Archant
Each week, the group will come up with new themes for artwork to display in your windows, the first being drawings of rainbows.
Preet hopes that the momentum of the group will continue to see us through until the end of the lockdown and beyond.
Ella Dickson's rainbow contribution. Picture: Ella Dickson - Credit: Archant
She added: “This is such a positive thing that’s come at such a distressing time for everyone.
“I’m hoping the Rainbow Trails will continue – we’re going to try to start an Easter trail for when that comes around and encourage those types of drawings in the windows.
Evie, Lillie, Finley and Maggie Cullen showing off their rainbow creations as part of the St Albans Rainbow Trails. Picture: Supplied - Credit: Archant
“Perhaps when this is all over each year we will display rainbows in our windows to remember the hope and positivity we had at this difficult time we’ve been through.”
To get involved and find out more search the St Albans Rainbow Trails on Facebook.
Margot Clarke's contribution towards the St Albans Rainbow Trails. Picture: Supplied - Credit: Archant
Michelle Mackenzie displayed her rainbow creation in her window as part of the rainbow trails. Picture: Michelle Mackenzie - Credit: Archant
