Birkenhead Park Displays Adult Learner Art in 2026

Key Points

• A new exhibition titled Imaginative Journeys to Wellbeing is on public display at Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre, featuring artwork created by adult learners.
• The artworks were produced by participants of courses delivered by Wirral Council’s Lifelong Learning Service.
• Learners used techniques including felting, silk painting, glass painting, batik, mixed media, watercolours and lino print.
• A launch event was held to celebrate the exhibition, with learners, family and friends invited to view the pieces.
• The exhibition will remain at Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre until Sunday 5 July, before moving to the Mallory Building in Birkenhead town centre.
• Anna Lloyd-Morris, Art Tutor for the Lifelong Learning Service, described the process as a privilege and highlighted increased confidence, skill development and friendships among learners.
• The art classes included members of Men Too, a Birkenhead-based charity supporting men’s mental health and wellbeing.
• Anthony Wood, Project Support Co-ordinator at Men Too, said the exhibition gave participants a sense of purpose and helped with social isolation and low self-esteem.
• Cllr Stephen Bennett, Chair of the Children Young People and Education Committee, said the exhibition shows the quality of teaching and talent in learners, and that it is never too late to learn.

 Birkenhead (Liverpool standard) July 01, 2026 – A collection of artwork created by adult learners is now on public display in uk/local/birkenhead/">Birkenhead, highlighting how creativity can boost confidence, combat isolation and support wellbeing.

The exhibition, titled Imaginative Journeys to Wellbeing, is hosted at Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre and features a range of pieces made by learners who have taken part in courses delivered by Wirral Council’s Lifelong Learning Service.

How Does the Exhibition Reflect the Impact of Creativity on Wellbeing?

The displayed works demonstrate the creative skills developed through a variety of techniques, including felting, silk painting, glass painting, batik, mixed media, watercolours and lino print. These sessions were designed not only to build artistic ability but also to support personal development and emotional wellbeing.

Anna Lloyd-Morris, Art Tutor for the Lifelong Learning Service, said: “It’s been a real privilege to support learners as they grow in confidence and feel good about what they’re creating.” She noted that throughout the course, participants developed new artistic skills, tried a range of techniques, and became more confident in sharing their ideas and artwork.

Lloyd-Morris also observed that friendships formed within the group, with learners supporting and encouraging one another. She added that the sessions helped people connect, enjoy time out for themselves, and experience the wellbeing benefits of being creative.

Who Participated in the Courses and the Exhibition?

The art classes attracted people from a variety of backgrounds, including members of Men Too – a Birkenhead-based charity supporting men’s mental health and wellbeing. This inclusion highlights the exhibition’s role in reaching groups who may face particular challenges with isolation, mental health or access to creative opportunities.

Anthony Wood, Project Support Co-ordinator at Men Too, said: “The feedback I’ve received and seeing how much it has meant to the men to have their artwork on display, has been amazing. There is a real sense of purpose.” He explained that participants have been learning new techniques and that the project has helped with issues such as social isolation and low self-esteem.

Wood also noted that for some people, art is a way of expressing how they feel when they are not comfortable opening up verbally. He described the combination of being creative while talking openly and honestly as “incredibly powerful”, and said that everyone involved has really enjoyed it.

How Was the Exhibition Celebrated and Where Can It Be Seen?

A launch event was held to celebrate the exhibition, with learners and their family and friends invited to view the artwork. The event provided an opportunity for participants to share their achievements with their wider communities and for the public to see the results of the Lifelong Learning Service courses.

The pieces will remain on display at Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre until Sunday 5 July, before moving to the Mallory Building in Birkenhead town centre. This second location will extend the exhibition’s reach to visitors and residents who may not regularly visit the park, further supporting the goal of making creative work visible across the town.

What Does Local Leadership Say About the Exhibition’s Significance?

Cllr Stephen Bennett, Chair of the Children Young People and Education Committee, said the amazing work on display highlights the quality of teaching that Wirral Council’s Lifelong Learning Service courses offer and the talent and creativity in its learners.

He added that the exhibition shows it is never too late to learn new skills and techniques, and encouraged anyone who has something they have always wanted to do to look online at the wide range of courses available. This statement positions the exhibition not only as a showcase of current work but also as an invitation for more adults to engage with lifelong learning opportunities.

Background: How the Imaginative Journeys to Wellbeing Exhibition Was Developed

The exhibition originates from creative sessions delivered by Wirral Council’s Lifelong Learning Service, which offers adult learners structured opportunities to develop artistic skills and engage in collaborative practice. Participants worked across a broad range of techniques, from felting and batik to silk painting and lino print, allowing them to explore different materials and styles while building confidence in their creative voice.

The decision to host the exhibition at Birkenhead Park Visitor Centre reflects the council’s aim to place adult learner work in a prominent public space, increasing visibility and recognising the value of lifelong learning in community life. The inclusion of members of Men Too demonstrates a deliberate effort to involve groups who may benefit particularly from creative, socially supportive activities, addressing issues such as isolation and low self-esteem. The planned move to the Mallory Building in Birkenhead town centre further extends the exhibition’s reach, ensuring that the artwork is accessible to a wider audience beyond park visitors.

Prediction: How This Development Could Affect Adult Learners and the Wirral Community

If the exhibition continues to be promoted and visited, it is likely that more adults will consider joining Lifelong Learning Service courses, seeing tangible evidence that their creative work can be recognised in a public setting. This could lead to increased participation among people who have previously felt excluded from formal education or who have experienced isolation, mental health challenges or low confidence.

For the wider Wirral community, the exhibition may help shift perceptions of adult learners from “invisible” participants to visible contributors to local culture and wellbeing. Over time, this could strengthen community identity, encourage more partnerships between education providers, charities such as Men Too, and cultural venues, and support broader efforts to use creativity as a tool for social inclusion, mental health support and personal development in Birkenhead and beyond.