Creative arts charity Impact Arts is expanding its reach across the Lothians and Scottish Borders, bringing its successful Impactful Parents employability programme to West Lothian from September.
The expansion marks an exciting milestone for the organisation as it continues to use creativity to tackle inequalities, improve wellbeing and support people into employment across Scotland.
The programmes build on the successful work in West Lothian over the last couple of years which has seen Impact Arts support over 60 unemployed parents.
Programme Details
Impactful Parents is a free Stage 1, non-traditional creative employability programme designed specifically for parents who are looking to build confidence, develop new skills and take positive steps towards employment, further education or training.
The programme combines creativity with practical employability support, offering participants the opportunity to explore activities such as painting, sculpture, animation, music making and creative writing while working alongside professional artists.
Participants will also receive one-to-one and group support from a dedicated Wellbeing and Opportunities Worker.
Qualifications and Support
As part of the programme, parents can gain nationally recognised qualifications, including an SQA Communications Unit, while developing confidence, creating a CV, preparing for interviews and establishing routines that support their future goals.
Alongside employability, Impactful Parents places a strong emphasis on health and wellbeing. Participants will explore mindfulness, healthy eating, confidence-building creative workshops and community visits, helping them build resilience, improve wellbeing and connect with others in a welcoming, supportive environment.
Expansion and Impact
The expansion into Midlothian, East Lothian, West Lothian and the Scottish Borders means even more parents will have access to a programme that recognises the barriers many face when returning to work and offers a creative, supportive pathway towards their next opportunity.
Fiona Doring, CEO of Impact Arts said: “Our expansion into these new areas reflects our commitment to ensuring more parents across Scotland can access creative employability support that builds confidence, improves wellbeing and opens doors to new opportunities.
“We know that creativity has the power to transform lives, and we're excited to welcome parents from these communities onto the programme.”
