October 7, 2026
Johnstone’s Paint volunteers complete major community transformation project
Hollybank Trust in West Yorkshire has undergone a revamp with more than 100 volunteers coming together to transform the space for the local charity.
Over five days, volunteers from Johnstone’s Paint redecorated three large corridors, entrance halls, bathrooms and the main reception area, working alongside mural specialists We Belong Here to create four bespoke murals inspired by woodland, jungle and underwater themes. Using Johnstone’s Trade products, including Aqua Guard Durable Satin Finish and Acrylic Durable Matt, and colours from the PPG Voice of Colour palette, the project helped create brighter, more welcoming and engaging spaces throughout the facility, enhancing key areas for children, young people and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities and visitors.
The project formed part of PPG’s Colourful Communities programme, which brings together employee volunteers, paint products and community partners to revitalise local spaces through the power of colour and collaboration.
Based in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, Hollybank Trust provides specialist education, residential care, therapies and enrichment activities for children, young people and adults with profound and multiple disabilities, helping families focus on being parents, siblings and loved ones rather than full-time carers.
The project showcased the impact that colour and decoration can have within specialist education and care settings, while also giving employees the opportunity to step away from their day-to-day roles and support a local organisation through hands-on volunteering.
Anna O’Mahony, Chief Executive Officer at Hollybank Trust, said: “The transformation delivered across our site goes far beyond decoration, it will have a massive impact on raising awareness for our facilities and we’re extremely grateful.
“We’ve had massive support from the PPG team; they’ve dedicated their time to work with us on colour schemes that benefit the variety of needs our pupils, the murals in particular have generated lots of excitement.”
Cara Broadbent, Headteacher at Hollybank Trust, added: “The environment in which our pupils learn and develop can have a real impact on their daily experiences. The variety of colour is important for our pupils who have visual impairments and use it to help them navigate spaces, and for pupils who need to be surrounded by calming colours.
“The PPG team have been absolutely amazing; they knew exactly what they were doing and got the job done quickly.”
Megan Esmond, Marketing Director UK & Ireland at PPG, said: “We’re passionate about supporting the communities where we live and work, and Colourful Communities gives our employees the opportunity to do exactly that.
“It’s fantastic to see more than 100 hardworking volunteers come together to transform Hollybank Trust with some really innovative products that will keep this space beautiful and support the children and adults here for years to come.”
To see the transformation in full, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwt_i4Kxrpc
For more information on PPG’s Colourful Communities® programme, visit: https://www.ppg.com/en-GB/about-ppg/colorful-communities
