SMALL PROJECTS TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

Project Manager for Stirling Reuse Hub, Kate Hamilton, and Councillor Gerry McGarvey.

Scene Stirling has awarded five micro grants worth £500 each to local creative projects which aim to make a big difference. 

The latest round of awards includes three projects with a community justice focus, which were funded by Stirling Community Justice Partnership.

The Community Justice Partnership in Stirling is supported by a number of partner organisations who play a role in the wider justice and community support framework. 

Community justice is where people who have broken the law are held to account and supported to reconnect and contribute to their communities. The evidence shows community justice can help people stop breaking the law again leading to fewer victims and safer communities.

FAMILY SESSIONS 

Jewellery designer Roberta Pederzoli will use her grant to work with families affected by the criminal justice system.

Roberta said: “I’ll be running a series of metal work sessions with people who have experience of the criminal justice system and their families to help rebuild relationships. Having a strong support network is pivotal to the recovery process and reduces the likelihood of reoffending in the long term.”

Families will work together in small groups over a four-week period.

Roberta added: “Art is a powerful tool for releasing and channelling negative emotions, encouraging relaxation and boosting self-esteem.

“Creative activities play a vital role in producing better outcomes for individuals, their families and our local communities.” 

TRAUMA INFORMED MOVEMENT PRACTICE

Aerial dance artists Hannah Uttley and Grace Turner will use their funding to undertake specialist training in trauma informed movement practice.

Hannah said: “This project will give us a better understanding of community justice, in particular how we can support people who have been victims of crime in a movement setting.

“It will also help inform our community aerial project for female and non-binary trauma survivors, Fly Forth.”

It is hoped the training will lead to long term positive change in the sector.

Hannah explained: “Although aerial and the wider creative sector can be very welcoming, there are aspects which may be challenging or off-putting to those who have been a victim of crime – particularly those who have suffered physical abuse.

“We aim to disseminate our learning to other local artists, leading to a more trauma informed and inclusive creative practice across Stirlingshire.”

CREATIVE TRANSITIONS

Local charity Transition Stirling have been awarded funding to run furniture upcycling workshops for both victims of crime and people with a criminal conviction, working with Forth Valley Rape Crisis and Stirling Council Justice Social Work Team.

Reuse Coordinator Donna Wood said: “We believe the workshops will support positive mental health, through the creation of a beautiful piece of furniture which the participants will be able to take home and keep as a reminder of their abilities.”

It’s also hoped the workshops will inspire participants to start a new hobby or even consider a new career.

Donna added: “By passing on our upcycling and hand-painting skills, we’ll be boosting awareness of potential business opportunities within the creative sector.”  

Transition Stirling has also been awarded a second grant to create an exhibition and blog on the climate emergency.

Donna explained: “We’re keen that Stirling Reuse Hub is seen as more than just a second-hand shop. We want to inspire the local community to feel empowered and take their own small steps towards reducing their carbon footprint.

“We’ll be working with award winning writer Orla Broderick, one of our volunteers, to create the stories as well as to run a series of free creative writing workshops.”

WEAVING NEW WORK

Local painter and handweaver Katherine Cowtan will use her grant to fund a collaborative project with botanical dyeing and printing expert Elizabeth Vigue Culshaw.

Katherine said: “We’ll work together to create a large-scale artwork combining our paper weaving and paper printing skills, which will go on display next year alongside a series of creative workshops where we’ll share the techniques we used.

“I’m particularly excited about the possibility of making a tartan check design with the different coloured papers.”

Cllr Gerry McGarvey, Convener of Stirling Council’s Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee – which oversees the Community Justice Partnership – said: “The arts have a proven track record of achieving positive outcomes in community justice so I’m delighted that these Stirling-based creative projects have secured this funding which make a positive difference to people’s lives and create safer communities.” 

Scene Stirling’s grant scheme is supported by Stirling Council.  For further information on funded projects see our supported creatives showcase.