Little Hiccups, a charity dedicated to supporting families with children who have additional needs and disabilities, is thrilled to announce the launch of an accessible and inclusive mosaic trail across Leeds.
This initiative, aimed at celebrating accessibility and fostering a sense of community, will encourage families to explore various sites throughout the city.
About the Mosaic Trail
The mosaic trail will feature a series of beautiful mosaic artworks created in collaboration with local families and artist Mary Goodwin. Each mosaic is designed to represent the unique experiences and perspectives of the participating families while highlighting the beauty and inclusivity of the chosen locations.
Families selected accessible places in Leeds that hold special significance to them. Under Mary Goodwin’s expert guidance, they designed pictures that reflect both their personal stories and the essence of these locations. These designs were then transformed into stunning mosaic artworks that will be installed in various accessible areas throughout Leeds.
First Mosaic Unveiled
The first mosaic has been unveiled at Rodley Nature Reserve, a haven for wildlife and a popular destination for families seeking to enjoy nature in an accessible and inclusive environment. The mosaic was designed by Zoe and Alex Lightfoot. Mum, Christine Hamshere shares “We are delighted to be part of this wonderful project. Creating the mosaic for Rodley Nature Reserve was a fantastic experience for our family. We hope it inspires other families to visit and enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of this special place. We love visiting the nature reserve as a family. It’s accessible by wheelchair, and we can access all the hides, visit the dragonfly ponds, and go into the visitor centre, where there is always a warm welcome from the staff.“
Miriam Watson-Pratt, Secretary of Little Hiccups, says “We are incredibly excited about the launch of the mosaic trail. Nature and public spaces should be inclusive for all, and we hope this project will open up more spaces for our families to enjoy. By celebrating accessibility and promoting community engagement, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families with children who have additional needs.”
Artist Mary Goodwin shares “I’m really honoured to be involved in this project. Little Hiccups, the families involved and site and council staff have all been amazing to work with. Not to mention how much fun it is interpreting the drawings into mosaics! It’s exciting to see how this trail will develop and how many people it will help in terms of drawing attention to accessibility in some of Leeds most interesting spots.“
Little Hiccups invites the community to visit these mosaics and explore the accessible locations highlighted in the trail. A dedicated page on the Little Hiccups website will showcase all participating areas, encouraging families to embark on an adventure while promoting inclusivity and understanding.
https://www.littlehiccups.co.uk/mosaic-trail/
Mary Goodwin Mosaics: https://marygoodwinmosaics.co.uk/
Rodley Nature Reserve: https://rodleynaturereserve.org/