How positive window art is helping to keep Chesterfield mum's anxiety at bay

WindowOnTheWorld built on the idea of the community of rainbows, that started life in Spain and Italy, and urged people to show their support for those passing on the street, with lovely messages and images.

But the idea spread like wildfire, as more and more people joined and shared the group, leading the mum-of-five to receive a flurry of beautiful imagery from all over the world.

“It was originally intended just to connect my family, and show our support to our neighbours, but it captured everybody’s imagination,” said the 35-year-old mum-of-five.

“We now have over 2,700 members – lots of them are from Chesterfield and the UK, but we have also reached Australia, New York, Uganda, Italy, Spain, and France.

“Shortly after launching the page, I was contacted by a local minister who revealed he had a pot of money available to him, which he’d like to use to help us supply local families with arts supplies, so they could join in.

“We’ve now delivered arts packages all across Chesterfield, and the results are just beautiful.”

Gemma, who lives in Grangewood, has also revealed that the group has given her a positive focus during a difficult time.

“I struggle with anxiety,” she said.

“And, in amongst all the doom and gloom online, I can log onto this Facebook page where people are positive and supportive and it makes my heart soar.

“So far, I’ve managed to keep my anxiety at bay, thanks to the positivity I’m feeling from people all across the world, and it’s definitely boosting my ability to deal with everything that’s being thrown at us all right now, with a smile on my face.

“This virus hasn’t discriminated, it’s reaching out to all corners of the globe and the people of every country, and it’s connecting us all, pushing us to support one another, and I think it’s been really great to see how people have pulled together in the face of such adversity.

“It reminds me that we are the United Kingdom for a reason; we’re all united, and we’ll get through this together.”