PPG and Morelli Group transforms Bury Hospice to celebrate 10 years of PPG's COLOURFUL COMMUNITIES programme

PPG announced that it completed a colourful and transformative makeover at Bury Hospice over the weekend as part of the company’s 10-year celebration of PPG's COLOURFUL COMMUNITIES® programme. 

In 2015, PPG launched the Colourful Communities programme, uniting the power of PPG paint products with employee volunteers to brighten neighbourhoods and make a positive impact on the people who call those neighbourhoods home. 

The Colourful Communities project at the Hospice on Rochdale Old Road brought together more than 100 volunteers from PPG, Morelli Group—a PPG partner specialising in car body repair and automotive paint products—Hospice staff and the local community to revitalise and redecorate the entire interior of the Hospice using more than 380 litres of JOHNSTONE’S TRADE™ paint by PPG. 

Over the course of the weekend, volunteers transformed all internal areas of the building, including the entrance, reception and café area, all bedrooms and bathrooms, treatment rooms, offices, meeting spaces, as well as the woodwork, door frames and skirting. The project used a range of high-quality paints such as Johnstone’s Trade Acrylic Durable Eggshell, Johnstone’s Trade Aqua Guard or Johnstone’s Trade Microbarr Anti Bacterial Acrylic Eggshell. 

Particularly well-suited to the needs of the Hospice was Johnstone’s Trade Microbarr Anti Bacterial Acrylic Eggshell—a high-performance, tough, acrylic resin-based interior coating specifically formulated to support the fight against hospital-acquired infections, making it ideal for high-traffic areas where hygiene protection is essential. 

PPG’s relationship with Bury Hospice has formed through one of its key partners, Morelli Group, and specifically its Northern sales director, Andy Johnson, whose wife Joanne works at the hospice as volunteer services coordinator.  

“What began as a simple request for a few cans of paint has evolved into a full-scale redecoration project at the Hospice. We’ve been truly impressed by the scale and generosity of what’s being delivered—from the provision of paint and preparation materials to expert design input, mural artwork, and the dedicated hands-on support from PPG volunteers. It’s an extraordinary contribution to the Hospice and the many individuals and families it serves,” said Ruth Moring-Beale, Director of Strategy and Growth, Morelli Group. 

“It’s a reality that many people will, at some point, rely on the vital care and support provided by a hospice—whether for themselves or a loved one. These organizations and their dedicated teams are always in need of support, and I knew Colourful Communities programme could make a meaningful and lasting contribution. I’m incredibly proud of how quickly Morelli Group, PPG and the local community in Bury came together to deliver such a significant transformation,” said Richard Goode, PPG director, UK & Ireland, Automotive Refinish. “Over the past ten years, the Colourful Communities programme has made a measurable impact in communities around the world, and PPG is proud to extend the initiative for another decade, increasing our total investment to $25 million through 2035. In the UK alone, 35 projects have already been completed since the program launched in 2015—and we remain committed to supporting the communities where we live and work.” 

Hospice CEO, Stuart Richardson said: “We’ve always strived to give patients a feeling that they’re at home when they’re with us, and this support from PPG and their partners will make an enormous difference to everyone in trying to achieve that.  

“Hospices across the UK operate under an increasingly difficult financial model, so it’s thanks to projects like this that we can continue to improve facilities to the best of our abilities. Without the support of organisations like PPG, others like them and the many hundreds who support, volunteer and fundraise for us, the future doesn’t bear thinking about. It’s incredibly special to think that this wonderful hospice has become part of a Colourful Communities programme that encompasses projects in Brno, Bodelhausen… and now Bury!” 

The Colourful Communities project aimed to refurbish the facility to create a colourful and beautiful space for a number of patients who rely on the facilities for ongoing palliative care and other support.       

At Bury Hospice, the colour scheme is carefully selected by a UK-based PPG colour expert using the PPG Voice of Colour palette. It features Acai Berry (PPG1046-7) - PPG’s 2025 Colour of the Year. A dusty violet with soft mauve undertones, the shade reflects a move toward deeper, more comforting hues that support healing and emotional well-being. 

Adding to the transformation, a vibrant mural will be painted in the hospice by local artist Pocket Wren, whose winning design was chosen through a community contest. The artwork features the iconic Peel Tower, acting as a beacon of hope and solace, surrounded by forget-me-nots to evoke cherished memories and enduring love. Soaring birds—echoing the hospice’s logo—symbolize freedom, the journey of life, and the unbroken bonds that connect us to loved ones. The mural is a tribute to the community's spirit and resilience, hopefully offering comfort and inspiration to all who pass through the hospice doors. 

​PPG will expand the Colourful Communities programme for an additional 10 years and commit a further $10 million to the program, taking its total investment to $25 million through 2035. To build on the positive impacts of the program, PPG and the PPG Foundation will also distribute a total of $1 million in celebration grants to 100 previous and current Colourful Communities partners globally this year. 

“As we recognize 10 years of the Colourful Communities programme and the meaningful ways it has blended the best of who we are - our passionate, talented employees and our innovative products – to improve where we live and work, we look forward to 10 more years of protecting and beautifying these special places and giving employees a meaningful way to give back,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation and Corporate global social responsibility. 

The Colourful Communities programme, PPG’s signature initiative for supporting communities, aims to protect and beautify the neighbourhoods where PPG operates around the world. Through the Colourful Communities programme, PPG’s committed volunteers contribute their time and PPG paint products to help transform community assets – from painting classrooms to bringing colour to a maternity ward and redesigning a playground. Since 2015, PPG has completed nearly 600 Colourful Communities projects, impacting more than 10.2 million people in over 50 countries.  

PPG’s global community engagement efforts and the PPG Foundation aim to bring colour and brightness to PPG communities around the world. We invested more than $18.4 million in 2024, supporting hundreds of organizations across more than 30 countries. By investing in educational opportunities, we help grow tomorrow’s STEM innovators and skilled workforce in fields related to coatings and manufacturing. Plus, we empower PPG employees to multiply their impact for causes that are important to them by supporting their volunteer efforts and charitable giving. Learn more here. 

PPG would like to sincerely thank every single person who got involved with this wonderful Colourful Communities project.