Background
When Kayleigh was referred to Impact Arts’ CashBack Hubs, she was feeling uncertain about her future. Having left school without a clear plan and missed the deadline for August college applications, she knew she didn’t want to return to school but hoped she could eventually study art. However, Kayleigh lacked confidence in her creative abilities and worried that she wasn’t “good enough” to study art and design.
At the beginning of CashBack, anxiety and self-doubt often made it difficult for Kayleigh to get started on creative projects or make decisions about her ideas. However, it quickly became clear that she had significant creative potential. With time, encouragement and a supportive environment, Kayleigh began to develop her own creative process and recognise her strengths.
Progress
Over the 12-week programme, Kayleigh’s confidence and creativity flourished. She filled a sketchbook with poetry, character designs, colour experiments and creative ideas, often taking her work home to develop further. She experimented with a range of materials and techniques, creating paintings, ceramics, textiles and collage work, which were later displayed at the project showcase.
CashBack also helped Kayleigh develop socially. She formed friendships with other participants and became a supportive and welcoming member of the group. She particularly enjoyed collaborative artmaking and found creative ways to include other participants, helping her to challenge her own anxiety and become more comfortable working with others.
Alongside developing her creative and personal skills, Kayleigh completed an SCQF Level 4 Practical Abilities unit and began preparing for her next steps. With support from the CashBack team, she created a portfolio and personal statement and applied for an Access to Art and Design course at Ayr College. She was invited to interview and used the skills she had developed through CashBack to complete the college’s creative exercise and prepare for her interview.
Future plans
Kayleigh left CashBack having achieved the goals identified at the start of her journey. She had grown in confidence, built positive relationships with other participants and developed her creative skills, giving her the confidence to apply for a creative college course.
Following her application, Kayleigh was invited to interview for her chosen course. During her final weeks at CashBack, she worked on the creative exercise set by the college, drawing on the skills and design principles she had developed through the programme to produce a high-quality piece of work showcasing her diverse artistic abilities. She also worked with staff to develop her interview skills and prepare for the next stage.
Although the January intake was already full, Kayleigh’s interview went very well and she was encouraged to apply for the August intake. With continued support from Impact Arts, Kayleigh successfully secured a place at college after leaving CashBack. She now attends college three days a week, taking an important step towards her ambition of pursuing a future in art and design.
