Local identity brought inside to support memory
Harlawhill Day Care Centre has unveiled a large-scale indoor mural designed to prompt memories and conversation among older people living with dementia. Created by Draya Madú, an Edinburgh-based Mexican artist, the new artwork draws on the area’s distinctive public art heritage and relocates it within the centre’s East Loan premises to benefit members who can no longer tour the community independently.
The installation reflects the long-running mural tradition associated with Prestonpans, known as Scotland’s Mural Town. Rather than commissioning an outdoor wall, the charity brought that identity indoors, allowing members to observe the work develop across several weeks. Staff report that the process itself became a catalyst for storytelling, with each new detail encouraging recollections of familiar people and places.
Landmarks chosen to trigger reminiscence
The composition incorporates recognisable local features intended to help orient and stimulate memory. Among the elements highlighted are:
- Preston Tower
- The Laburnum Arch
- The Johnny Moat Stone
- Arthur’s Seat
- A robin, a recurring motif in local nature and folklore
Members watched as these scenes emerged, offering their own interpretations and memories. The centre says the approach was as much about the journey as the outcome.
“Watching the mural develop was every bit as rewarding as seeing the finished result. Every week our members tried to guess what each new section would become, and with every brushstroke came another conversation or memory. That’s exactly what we hoped it would achieve,” said Ewan McMillan, Chair of Harlawhill Day Care Centre.
Part of wider improvements supported by charitable funding
The mural forms part of a broader package of upgrades at Harlawhill, made possible by support from the Postcode Local Trust. In addition to the artwork, the charity used funding to refresh internal spaces and tackle practical needs that underpin day-to-day care. A summary of the completed works is set out below.
| Area | Improvement |
|---|---|
| Building interiors | Redecoration across key rooms |
| Dining area | New flooring installed |
| Equipment | Replacement of essential items |
| Transport | Repairs to the ageing minibus |
| Arts & engagement | Commissioning and installation of the indoor mural |
Following completion, Draya Madú received a framed drawing of Preston Tower by local artist Amanda Owenson, recognising the collaboration between the centre, its community and the commissioned artist.
Why this matters for local care
Harlawhill provides structured daytime support for older residents, including those affected by dementia, where maintaining social connection and orientation are central to wellbeing. By integrating familiar scenery and symbols into the fabric of the building, the centre aims to create a more reassuring environment and to prompt members to share lived experiences connected to place. The approach is grounded in the area’s identity as a hub for public murals, many of which commemorate industrial heritage such as coal mining and salt panning.
Crucially, bringing this artwork indoors ensures it is accessible to people who may have mobility challenges or no longer feel confident travelling around the area. The charity says the upgrade programme supports both the emotional and practical sides of care: a stimulating setting for engagement, paired with safer floors, refreshed rooms and more reliable transport for outings.
Public invited to view and learn more
The centre is inviting members of the public to visit, see the mural up close and hear about the charity’s work with older people in the local community. Staff hope that opening the doors will strengthen links between service users and neighbours, highlight the value of charitably funded improvements, and demonstrate how art can be used in a practical way to support conversation and confidence in a care setting.
Information about the charity’s services and the mural’s creation process will be available during visits. The centre emphasises that the project is one part of ongoing efforts to maintain and improve facilities in response to the needs of members and carers.
