Creating Space to Thrive: A Creative Journey Through CashBack

Wed 08th April 2026

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.  

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