Weston Favell Shopping Centre and The Poetry Project spread positivity through the power of words
Weston Favell Shopping Centre has expanded its long-standing partnership with The Poetry Project, bringing uplifting words and messages to more areas of the centre. Having worked together since 2018, The Poetry Project founder James McInerney and Weston Favell wanted to build on the existing partnership and create something bigger and more impactful, using positive words to welcome visitors and brighten their day.
The Poetry Project is a Northampton-based, non-profit initiative founded by James McInerney in 2018. The project began on the London Underground, placing simple but meaningful messages into everyday public spaces to promote wellbeing and mental health awareness. With a mission of “healing the world with the power of poetry,” the project has since grown internationally, working with organisations including Network Rail, Nokia, the Royal Horticultural Society and The Crown Estate, with its words appearing in public spaces across the UK, Australia and America.
As part of the expanded partnership, seven uplifting quotes have now been installed at key entrance points around Weston Favell. The messages have been carefully selected to resonate with the local community and give visitors a positive thought as they enter the centre.
One of the featured messages reads:
“Yesterday has shaped you. Tomorrow will change you. Today belongs to you.”
Other messages focus on togetherness, personal growth, moving forward and the difference a simple smile can make:
“We all grow in different ways, but our roots connect us. Together we are stronger.”
“You are doing better today. Every small step matters, so keep moving forward.”
“A smile can change everything. It can brighten someone’s day. Share it wherever you go.”
The partnership between Weston Favell and The Poetry Project dates back to the project's beginnings in 2018. For several years, a chalkboard at the centre's main entrance has displayed changing messages from the project, with shoppers regularly stopping to read, photograph and share the words.
"Weston Favell was one of the very first places to support The Poetry Project back in 2018, so expanding our presence here feels like a natural and incredibly meaningful evolution. I’d love to thank the centre for their continued support over the years. The goal has always been simple: to place moments of hope, reflection, and connection into everyday routines. By sharing these messages throughout the centre, we hope to brighten people's days, spark a little positivity, and remind everyone that even the smallest message can make a huge difference." – James McInerney, Founder of The Poetry Project
The new installations take that original idea further. Whether someone is having a difficult morning, needs some encouragement or simply notices a message that resonates with them, the aim is to provide a small moment of positivity during their day. It also supports Weston Favell's wider focus on creating a welcoming, community-focused environment where visitors feel comfortable and connected.
The collaboration is set to develop further, with plans to allow the local community to contribute their own words. Customers will be invited to submit uplifting quotes, with selected messages being considered for future installations around the centre.
After eight years of working together, Weston Favell and The Poetry Project hope the expanded partnership will continue to demonstrate how a few simple words in the right place can make a positive difference to someone's day.
Our partnership with The Poetry Project has progressed, with uplifting and motivational quotes being installed at key entrance points across the centre. The aim is to spread positivity and give visitors an encouraging message as they arrive. The Poetry Project is a non-profit organisation focused on using the power of poetry and positive words to inspire people and support wellbeing within communities.