Johnstone’s Paint has partnered with World Snooker Tour (WST) and national mental health charity Mind to deliver a new event and community initiative aimed at tackling the mental wellbeing challenges faced by those who often work alone.
‘Paint the Whole Picture’ took place at the world-famous Alexandra Palace in London, hosted by snooker and sports broadcaster Rob Walker. The event brought together world no.2 Kyren Wilson and his wife, Sophie, painter and decorator ambassador, Mike Cupit, Tim Hope from Johnstone’s Paints and Andrew Berrie from Mind.
The group took to the stage to deliver a talk which shone a spotlight on the importance of conversation and community within the decorating and snooker industries, both of which involve many hours of perfecting skills and practicing, often in isolation. Without the support of a team, professionals in these fields frequently face the pressure of problem-solving alone and managing challenges without immediate backup, making connection and peer support even more vital.
To ensure this message lives beyond the event, Johnstone’s Paint unveiled its new ‘Cue the Conversation’ initiative: donating hundreds of special blue cues to local community snooker halls. These cues signal that the person holding one is open to a chat.
Kyren Wilson, world no.2 snooker player, said: “The hardest part for me is leaving home; I’ve got two young boys and a loving wife who ride the wave with me, and those sacrifices aren’t easy. I’ve always wanted to use my platform in a positive way – if I can help even one person, that’s mission accomplished.”
“In many ways, snooker and the painting & decorating trade share the same qualities: precision, patience, and attention to detail. Both also involve long hours working alone, often away from family and friends, which can take its toll. That’s why the Paint the Whole Picture event is such an important cause – it brings those worlds together for a fantastic even that truly makes a difference for players and their families.”
The Cue to Conversation initiative acts as a discreet signal: if a player feels lonely or wants to chat but doesn’t know how to start a conversation, using this cue lets others know they’re open to conversation. A simple but powerful way to spark conversations about mental health and help foster connection, reduce loneliness, and encourage peer-to-peer support.
“That’s why we’ve introduced the cue to conversation initiative, to give people an easy way to say, ‘I’m up for a chat,’ and start conversations that make work feel a little less lonely.”
For mental health advice and support, visit Mind: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/
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