Introducing the Impact Arts Youth Collective: Creativity, Leadership and the Next Generation

The Impact Arts Youth Collective (formerly known as The Sketchy Youths) is a growing, peer-led group of young creatives aged 16–24 who are taking exciting steps towards careers in the creative industries.

Made up of eight members, with more set to join soon, the Youth Collective brings together young people who have all previously engaged with Impact Arts programmes. They are each at different stages of their journey, from school and college to starting university or exploring their next steps, including those not currently in education, employment or training. What unites them is a shared passion for creativity and a drive to develop their skills, confidence and voice.

The group has been meeting weekly with a clear goal: to design and deliver their own creative workshop. In the lead-up to this, participants have taken part in a range of artist talks, workshops and skills-based sessions.

A key milestone in this journey was delivering a series of creative workshops at the recent Impact Arts team day. Leading sessions for staff, the Youth Collective brought energy, creativity and fresh perspective. A powerful demonstration of their growth, leadership and the value of youth voice within the organisation.

Their journey has also included:

  • A visit to the Strange Exchange Library and studio space at the Barras
  • Connecting with Impact Arts Youth Trustees
  • Working towards their Participative Democracy Certificate
  • A reflective session to help shape and co-design the future of the programme

These experiences are designed not only to build creative skills, but to empower participants as leaders, collaborators and decision-makers.

The group are continuing to meet one Saturday a month for creative activities and visits to arts venues/events – with the aim of building confidence and connecting with local creative/cultural organisations and people and having fun shared experiences!

Alongside this, members of the Youth Collective will soon begin volunteering across Impact Arts programmes, gaining valuable experience while supporting others on their own creative journeys.

They had a great visit from Iceland-based artists Asrun Magnusdottir and Alexander Roberts (who are doing a residency as part of Take Me Somewhere festival) they came in to get the young people’s input as they develop new work called ‘Album’ where they will identify a music album that resonates with the population of Glasgow and then get a group of local people perform it start to finish!

They also spent time in the sunshine in The Boardwalk courtyard discussing their group values and thinking about recruiting new members, as well as a trip to the Glasgow Zine Fair!

Looking Ahead

The Youth Collective is more than a programme, it’s a space for young people to lead, influence and grow. Participants gain experience in designing and delivering workshops, from painting and digital art to podcasting and comic creation, while also helping to shape the future of Impact Arts’ work.

At its heart, the Youth Collective is about amplifying youth voice, strengthening community arts, and supporting the next generation of creative leaders.

They are looking forward to starting their volunteering within Impact Arts, taking part in a public speaking workshop and running their own workshops for our Impactful Starts and Cashback groups!

We’re incredibly proud of everything this group has achieved so far, and excited to see where their creativity takes them next.

Impact Arts is a community arts charity based in Scotland. Since 1994, we’ve been delivering creative arts and support programmes for children, young people, adults, families, and older people who are facing disadvantages or barriers to progress in life. Our mission is to tackle inequalities, address poverty, and transform lives through art and creativity.  

Every year, Volunteers’ Week shines a light on the incredible contribution volunteers make to communities across the UK. It’s a chance to recognise the time, care, skills and compassion that volunteers give so generously, and to celebrate the positive difference they make in people’s lives every single day.

At Impact Arts, volunteers are an important part of our community. Across our projects and programmes, volunteers help create welcoming spaces, support participants to grow in confidence, and bring creativity, encouragement and kindness to everything they do. For many people, volunteering is also a powerful journey of personal growth, opening doors to new opportunities, friendships and experiences.

One person who knows this first-hand is a former participant from our Impactful Parents programme, Anita, who went from joining the project for support to becoming a volunteer, and is now working within the programme itself!

From Participant to Volunteer

“I first joined Impactful Parents as a participant during a time when I was trying to rebuild my confidence and figure out my next steps,” they explained. “The support, encouragement, and sense of community I experienced made a huge difference to me personally.”

After experiencing the positive impact of the programme, volunteering felt like a natural next step.

“Volunteering felt like a way to give something back and support other parents who may be feeling the same way I once did.”

Their experience as a volunteer quickly became transformational in its own right.

“My experience has been really positive and rewarding. Through volunteering, I gained confidence, developed new skills, and met amazing people. I felt supported and valued, and it helped me believe in myself more.”

Over time, volunteering created opportunities they never expected.

“It’s been incredible to go from being a participant to now working within the programme myself.”

The Difference Volunteers Make

Volunteers bring so much more than practical support. They bring empathy, lived experience, encouragement and understanding. Often, it’s the small moments that matter most. A friendly conversation, a warm welcome, or helping someone feel seen and listened to.

“My favourite part was seeing the positive impact even small acts of support can have on someone’s day,” they shared. “I enjoyed creating a welcoming environment where people felt comfortable, listened to, and encouraged.”

Volunteers also help build the sense of community that sits at the heart of many Impact Arts projects.

“I loved being part of such a supportive and creative team where everyone genuinely wants to help others grow.”

Thinking About Volunteering?

For anyone considering volunteering for a cause they care about, their message is simple:

“Go for it, even if you feel nervous or unsure at first. Volunteering can help you grow in ways you don’t expect. It can build confidence, create connections, and give you a real sense of purpose. You never know where it might lead, for me, it became the start of a completely new journey.”

This Volunteers’ Week, we want to say a huge thank you to every volunteer who gives their time, energy and creativity to support others. Your contribution makes a real difference, and we are incredibly grateful for everything you do.

Impact Arts is a community arts charity based in Scotland. Since 1994, we’ve been delivering creative arts and support programmes for children, young people, adults, families, and older people who are facing disadvantages or barriers to progress in life. Our mission is to tackle inequalities, address poverty, and transform lives through art and creativity.  

by Lorna

As part of Dementia Awareness Week 2026, Impact Arts is celebrating the importance of creativity and meaningful connection for people living with dementia at every stage of their journey. Through our Craft Café programme at Viewpoint in Edinburgh, we create welcoming creative spaces where residents can express themselves, connect with others and experience moments of joy through art.

One of those participants is *Lorna.

Lorna is a resident at St Raphael’s Care Home and has been attending Craft Café since September 2024. Craft Café allows residents to take part in artist-led workshops in both community and care home settings, offering creative engagement, social connection and space for self-expression.

From the beginning, Lorna brought warmth, kindness and creativity into the room. She has a keen interest in art and loves spending time with others. A big animal lover with a fondness for music and Jaffa Cakes, Lorna had attended art classes before moving into St Raphael’s and was excited to discover Craft Café within the care home.

As she settled into her new surroundings, Craft Café became a familiar and comforting part of her routine. At first, Lorna would attend for short periods, but over time, her confidence and comfort within the group began to grow. She became more familiar with the artists, staff and fellow participants, building friendships and connections along the way.

Whenever the team passed her in the corridor, Lorna would often smile and say:

“I was looking for you!”

On another occasion, spotting two members of the team together, she warmly greeted them with:

“I saw you two, and I thought ‘there’s my pals!’”

These moments reflect something deeply important about Craft Café. While creativity and artistic expression are central to the sessions, the sense of belonging, familiarity and companionship that develops within the space can be equally meaningful, particularly for people living with mid and later-stage dementia.

Lorna especially enjoys working with watercolour and is often drawn to shades of blue, creating beautiful seascapes inspired by colour and movement. Her artwork has featured in two Craft Café exhibitions, as well as on calendars and greeting cards produced through the project. She takes great pride in seeing her work displayed, often pointing it out with a smile and saying:

“That’s mine.”

Or simply:

“That’s quite good!”

Like many people living with dementia, Lorna’s creative process changes from day to day. At times, she found it difficult to stay focused on painting, becoming distracted by conversations or music within the room. Rather than seeing this as a barrier, the Craft Café team adapted their approach to support the way Lorna naturally wanted to engage with the space.

Through experimentation, they discovered that using limited colour palettes and playful creative constraints helped Lorna reconnect with painting. A collaborative black-and-white mark-making project became a turning point, helping her feel more confident putting brush to paper again.

More recently, the team introduced a technique where paper is placed directly into the paint palette, allowing Lorna to squeeze paint onto the page before blending it with water and brushwork. The process has helped her remain more focused while also opening up exciting new ways of creating expressive abstract artwork.

Throughout every session, Lorna remains a calm, positive and caring presence. She enjoys working independently while still staying engaged with those around her, always entering the room with a smile and a gentle word for others.

Her journey highlights the importance of providing meaningful creative opportunities for people living with dementia beyond the early stages often represented in community programmes. At Craft Café Edinburgh, we believe creativity, connection and self-expression remain important at every stage of life.

As Dementia Awareness Week reminds us, moments of joy, familiarity, pride and friendship matter deeply, and creativity can continue to unlock those moments in powerful ways.

We look forward to seeing Lorna continue exploring new materials, techniques and inspirations at Craft Café, while spending time with her friends and creating many more beautiful paintings along the way.

You can learn more about life at Viewpoint Care Home on their website or get in touch if you’d like to find out more about how our creative programmes like Craft Café are enriching later life.

Impact Arts is a community arts charity based in Scotland. Since 1994, we’ve been delivering creative arts and support programmes for children, young people, adults, families, and older people who are facing disadvantages or barriers to progress in life. Our mission is to tackle inequalities, address poverty, and transform lives through art and creativity.  

At Impact Arts, creativity is more than just an activity, it’s a way to connect, build confidence, and improve wellbeing at every stage of life. One of the ways this comes to life is through Craft Café, a welcoming weekly arts group for older people living in care settings.

Based at Viewpoint Care Homes, Craft Café brings residents together in a relaxed, supportive environment where they can explore different art forms, express themselves, and just as importantly, enjoy each other’s company.

What is Craft Café?

Craft Café is designed specifically for older adults, including those living in care homes. Led by experienced artists, each session introduces a range of accessible activities, from painting and collage to textiles and mixed media. There’s no pressure, no expectation, and no need for prior experience, just an open invitation to take part.

But Craft Café is about much more than making art. It creates space for conversation, connection, and shared experience. For residents, it offers a meaningful routine, a sense of purpose, and the chance to try something new in a safe and encouraging setting.

Why It Matters

For many older people, particularly those living in care, opportunities for creative expression and social interaction can be limited. Craft Café helps to change that.

The workshops support mental wellbeing, reduce feelings of isolation, and encourage self-expression. They can spark memories, build confidence, and foster a sense of belonging among residents. Something as simple as sitting together and creating can have a profound impact, turning a quiet afternoon into a moment of joy, laughter, and connection.

For some, like Netta, it becomes something even more powerful.

Netta’s Story

Netta has been attending Craft Café at Marian House for over nine years. What began as simple curiosity quickly turned into something she now looks forward to every week.

“9 years. Curiosity at first. Once I attended, couldn’t wait to go back!”

From her very first sessions, Netta found a welcoming and encouraging environment that helped her see her own creative potential in a new light.

“The staff are so welcoming and coffee is so good. Made me feel like I wasn’t as totally useless as I thought I was at drawing and painting. I’ve been persuaded to try all sorts of media and types of pictures, some with a little more success than others. I’ve even sold some!”

Her experience reflects one of the core strengths of Craft Café – creating a space where people feel safe to try, learn, and grow, no matter their starting point.

“It’s so relaxed and the Impact Arts staff are so good and encouraging. There’s lots of laughter too so that can’t be bad! Craft Café is away from the general business of the home and so relaxing. Though relaxing, it can be hardworking too.”

Making a Difference Every Week

Stories like Netta’s highlight the real difference creative programmes can make in care settings. Craft Café isn’t just an activity to fill time, it’s a space where residents can feel valued, inspired, and connected.

Through simple, creative moments, residents rediscover confidence, build friendships, and experience the kind of joy that comes from making something with their own hands.

At Impact Arts, that’s what creativity is all about.

You can learn more about life at Viewpoint Care Home on their website or get in touch if you’d like to find out more about how our creative programmes like Craft Café are enriching later life.

Impact Arts is a community arts charity based in Scotland. Since 1994, we’ve been delivering creative arts and support programmes for children, young people, adults, families, and older people who are facing disadvantages or barriers to progress in life. Our mission is to tackle inequalities, address poverty, and transform lives through art and creativity.  

When a lot of our work happens flexibly and remotely, there’s nothing quite like coming together in person. Our recent Impact Arts team day was a valuable opportunity to reconnect, reflect, and strengthen the relationships that sit at the heart of everything we do.

Held at The Boardwalk, the day brought colleagues together from across the organisation to focus on our shared purpose – our why, our culture, and the impact we’re making in communities.

We were grateful to be joined by John H. McKendrick, who opened the day with a powerful and thought-provoking session on poverty in Scotland. His insights offered a sobering reminder of the challenges many people face, while reinforcing the importance of the role Impact Arts plays in tackling child poverty through creativity, opportunity, and support.

As well as looking outward, we also took time to look inward. Reaching the midpoint of our five-year strategy gave us a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come, what we’ve achieved together, and where we want to go next. Conversations throughout the day explored what our organisational culture means in practice, what The Impact Arts Way truly looks like in our day-to-day work.

The highlight of the day came from our incredible Youth Collective, who led a series of creative workshops. Their energy, insight and leadership were a powerful reminder of why participation, creativity, and youth voice are central to everything we do. It was a moment to step back, get creative, and reconnect with the core of our mission.

Throughout the day, a few key themes stood out; collaboration, checking in with one another, celebrating difference and authenticity, and importantly, making space for laughter along the way.

Moments like this are vital. They strengthen our sense of connection, reinforce our shared values, and remind us that behind every project and programme is a passionate, committed team working together to make a difference.

We left the day feeling proud, of our work, our impact, and each other, and energised for what comes next.

Impact Arts is a community arts charity based in Scotland. Since 1994, we’ve been delivering creative arts and support programmes for children, young people, adults, families, and older people who are facing disadvantages or barriers to progress in life. Our mission is to tackle inequalities, address poverty, and transform lives through art and creativity.  

This gallery celebrates all the incredible entries to our Draw Home competition, each one sharing a unique and personal interpretation of what home means.

Every entry represents a £5 donation supporting Make It Your Own, helping people at risk of homelessness create a place they can truly call home. Thank you for being part of it.

John Lochrie
Katie-Helen Angelosanto-Roberts
Katie-Helen Angelosanto-Roberts
Tom Wright
Reilly Stubbs
Claire Johnston
David Hutchison
Ailsa Montgomery
Bamidele Bamgbopa
Alasdair Montgomery
Paige Couser
Paige Couser
Seth Brien
Emma Muirhead
Jamie Cowe
Moira Hill
Laura Kennedy-Bailey
Katy Burns
Gemma Phillips
Aisha Mohsin
David Richards
Jasmine Parker

Jenny Gordon
Calum Baird
Neave McCormick
Zoe Provan
Judi Pitcairn
Sarah Spofforth
Rachel Procter

Jennifer Bree
Alana Pinheiro

We will get in touch with entrants within one month after the closing date of the competition (20th May). At that stage, we’ll let entrants know whether our judges have chosen their artwork as part of the top 10 finalists. A public vote will then decide the overall winner.  

Impact Arts is a community arts charity based in Scotland. Since 1994, we’ve been delivering creative arts and support programmes for children, young people, adults, families, and older people who are facing disadvantages or barriers to progress in life. Our mission is to tackle inequalities, address poverty, and transform lives through art and creativity.  

When BR first joined Impact Arts through our CashBack programme, they were facing significant challenges.

Living with autism and heightened sensory responses, everyday environments had become overwhelming. Once highly active, attending school regularly, participating in sports, and even achieving success as a competitive swimmer, BR had reached a point where leaving their room felt difficult.

Creative spaces became a vital pathway back.

A Gentle Start

At the beginning, BR attended sessions with the support of a parent nearby, a familiar presence that helped create a sense of safety.

Over time, that need reduced.

What started as short, supported visits gradually became full days spent independently with the group, building confidence step by step, at a pace that worked for them.

Creativity as Connection

Through art, BR found a way to engage, express, and connect.

During a visit to the Hunterian Museum, they spent nearly an hour sketching a painting by Joan Eardley, fully immersed, calm, and focused.

Back in sessions, they explored different materials and techniques, adapting activities to suit their needs, from using gloves when working with clay to taking space when feeling overstimulated.

Creative expression became both a tool and an outlet.

Building Confidence

As the weeks progressed, something shifted.

Moments of uncertainty became moments of participation.

BR began engaging more with others, sharing interests, encouraging peers, and showing pride in their work. A photography session in particular sparked visible joy, marking a turning point in their confidence and self-expression.

Even when challenges arose, including moments of sensory distress, BR was supported in a way that prioritised understanding and consistency. Over time, they developed strategies to self-regulate and continue engaging.

Looking Ahead

By the end of the programme, BR had attended every session.

They had built connections, explored new environments, and grown in confidence, even navigating a busy showcase event independently.

Now, they are taking their next steps:

  • Returning to CashBack for further creative development
  • Progressing toward Impactful Starts, Impact Arts’ employability programme
  • Enrolling in a filmmaking course at the Glasgow Film Theatre

They also achieved an SQA Personal Development award, creating a piece of work based on a clay object they designed and made.

Why This Matters

BR’s journey highlights what’s possible when young people are supported in ways that work for them.

Creative programmes like CashBack provide flexible, inclusive environments where neurodiverse young people can build confidence, express themselves, and explore their potential.

Impact Arts is a community arts charity based in Scotland. Since 1994, we’ve been delivering creative arts and support programmes for children, young people, adults, families, and older people who are facing disadvantages or barriers to progress in life. Our mission is to tackle inequalities, address poverty, and transform lives through art and creativity.  

Tucked within the bustle of Edinburgh’s Kirkgate, Trinity House of Leith offers a unique glimpse into Scotland’s maritime past. Now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, the Georgian building, once home to the Master Mariners of Leith, houses a rich and eclectic collection, from ships in bottles to intricately carved scrimshaw, each object telling a story of life at sea.

Over the past three years, Impact Arts participants from our CashBack Hubs and Impactful Starts programmes have been working in partnership with Trinity House, alongside Nicola Wright and Karen MacKenzie from Illuminate. Together, they’ve explored the stories behind the collection and uncovered the hidden histories of migration to and from Leith.

During our most recent programme (January–March 2026), participants were guided through Trinity House by Nicola, who brought the collection to life through storytelling. These encounters inspired a wide range of creative responses.

The Impactful Starts group developed a series of three animations, each exploring journeys connected to Leith. One tells the story of John Sakeouse, a Greenlander who arrived in Leith in 1816 and whose portrait now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. Another reflects on the women known as the “Moorish Lassies” at the court of James IV of Scotland. The third draws inspiration from the scrimshaw of whalers and the global journeys that connected places like Leith to South Georgia.

Meanwhile, the CashBack Hubs group created a series of 2D and 3D artworks for display in the Convening Room. Their work reimagines maritime histories through drawing, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media. From a ship in a bottle inspired by the quiet creativity of seafarers at sea, to a reworked coastal map based on an 18th-century chart of the Firth of Forth, each piece reflects both historical research and personal interpretation.

Other works include a clay sculpture inspired by the animals encountered on whaling journeys, and a piece responding to the stained-glass memorial window at Trinity House, which honours members of the Merchant Navy who lost their lives in the World Wars.

Together, these works highlight the power of creativity to connect past and present, bringing hidden histories to life through the voices and perspectives of young people today.

A selection of artworks and development materials, including storyboards from the animation projects, are now on display at Trinity House for the public to explore. So if you are in the area, be sure to pop in and check them out.

Impact Arts is a community arts charity based in Scotland. Since 1994, we’ve been delivering creative arts and support programmes for children, young people, adults, families, and older people who are facing disadvantages or barriers to progress in life. Our mission is to tackle inequalities, address poverty, and transform lives through art and creativity.  

We caught up with Becky Robertshaw and Juliet Stanton from the Edinburgh University Crafting and Sewing Society who kindly fundraised £200 for Impact Arts at their Crafty Ceilidh event!

Keep reading to find out why they chose Impact Arts, what their society does, and how the event went on the day.

How did you discover Impact Arts and what made you choose us as the cause for your fundraising event?

“Our Society has worked with Impact Arts in the past, as the work they do is so aligned with what our society does. Our previous president Eve worked with Impact Arts when their main office was in Edinburgh, and since then the charity has always been kept in mind for fundraising events.

The Crafty Ceilidh was a collaborative event with five other creative societies in the University of Edinburgh (though definitely not all of them!) and so we thought it was only right to be raising money for a cause that supports creativity means across Scotland, which aligns with our weekly sessions which brings everyone together with arts and crafts.”

Can you tell us more about your society and what you do?

“Our Society meets once a week to make a new craft. We provide all of the materials and instructions, so members simply need to come along and let their creativity flow.

Outside of these weekly sessions we also hold various social events, such as an annual trip to Doodles for pottery painting, fundraising and cross-society collaborations. The ceilidh was definitely some new ground for us to cover!”

Can you tell us more about your fundraising event and how it went on the day?

“We’ve had the idea to hold a ceilidh for a while now, and thought it would be a perfect opportunity to collaborate with other creative societies at the University. This included Baking Society, Arts and Painting Society, Pottery Society, Knit and Crochet Society, and Creative Writers Society – as you can see, most creative bases were covered!

Due to the number of societies working together, we knew the number of attendees would also be higher, and so it would be a great opportunity to raise money for causes important to the student body we represent. Along with raising money for Abdul’s family in Gaza, we found it was only natural to support Impact Arts in this venture, with the work they do being so aligned with the work of each society.

In the end, we had nearly 100 guests come and ceilidh away, with a raffle filled with prizes from local businesses across Edinburgh also taking place. The theme was Spring creativity – so guests were encouraged to dress up and get creative with what they wore.

It’s safe to say people had a great time, dancing in the start of Spring and raising lots of money whilst doing it!”

If you’d like to fundraise for Impact Arts, we would love to hear from you. To find out more about how we can support you with your fundraising event or activity, email development@impactarts.co.uk

Impact Arts is a leading arts charity based in Scotland. Since 1994, we’ve been delivering life-changing creative arts and support programmes for children, young people, adults, families, and older people who are facing disadvantages or barriers to progress in life. Our mission is to tackle inequalities, address poverty, and transform lives through art and creativity.