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.  

We’re delighted to see our commissioned artwork, “Artistic Mosaic Tiling: Showcasing Govan’s Healthcare Legacy,” proudly displayed in the brand new Health Innovation Hub (HiH) in Govan!

Last summer, Impact Arts was commissioned by the University of Glasgow Living Laboratory, in collaboration with Elderpark Housing Association, to deliver Artistic Mosaic Tiling: Showcasing Govan’s Healthcare Legacy. 🎨

Working with local primary schools (St Saviours, Riverside, St Constantine & Pirie Park along with Govan High) and community groups (GalGael, Tea in the Pot, Govan Community Project and Men’s Shed), we delivered a consultation session with each of the groups followed by the making of the mosaics, the sessions also featured smaller paper and clay mosaic workshops. 

The participants created a series of community-inspired mosaic tiles that celebrate Govan’s rich history of healthcare innovation while looking ahead to the future of the new Health Innovation Hub (HiH). Each tile reflects a blend of symbolic and abstract interpretations of science, precision medicine, and STEAM, alongside the participants’ pride and love for their local area. Together, the individual pieces form a striking mosaic that tells the story of Govan’s past, present, and future in healthcare.

We’re incredibly proud to share that the completed artwork is now on display in the Health Innovation Hub, where it can be enjoyed by visitors, staff, and the wider community.

Last week, staff from Impact Arts and members from Craft Café Govan attended one of the opening days of the new building to celebrate its launch and see the artwork in its new home, alongside TEA in the POT, Meet Me in Govan, Govan Community Project, and Gilded Lily. It was fantastic to explore the space, enjoy a guided tour of the lower ground floor, visit the Digital Health Validation Simulation Lab, explore the Co-Design Room and take part in interactive activities.

We also had the privilege of meeting Dugald Cameron, the artist who created the first designs of the ultrasound scanner developed in Glasgow. Dugald later became Director of the Glasgow School of Art and is the last remaining member of the original team who created the ultrasound scanner – making it a very special moment to hear about this important piece of Glasgow’s healthcare innovation history.

At Craft Café Govan, we support those aged 60+ who are looking to renew social networks, connect with their local community and grow in confidence, through creative activity, and wellbeing through arts and community engagement. Seeing the mosaic tiles come together and be permanently displayed in such an inspiring space is a wonderful celebration of community creativity and collaboration.

We’re delighted that the artwork can now be seen by all who visit the Health Innovation Hub – a lasting tribute to Govan’s innovation, creativity, and community spirit.

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.  

As part of our Impact Arts Annual Report 2024-25, we interviewed some members of our creative delivery team to bring you this new series: Artist Spotlight!

Meet Marta Palacz

Get to know Marta Palacz, Creative Lead at Impact Arts and multimedia artist with a passion for working with communities. Marta’s days are filled with everything from painting and printmaking to leading creative sessions.

We caught up with her to chat about her artistic practice, favourite projects, and the positive changes she sees in the people she works with.

Please note this interview was conducted in summer 2025.

Tell us about yourself. What are your specialisms as an artist and what type of projects do you work on at Impact Arts?

“I am currently the Creative Lead for the Cashback Hubs project in North Ayrshire, working with young people. In my personal practice, I am a multimedia artist working with a range of mediums on paintings, printmaking, drawing, and interactive conceptual works.

I am mainly focused on developing a series of portrait paintings with themes centered around mindfulness, attachment, and play in a studio space provided by OuterSpaces, a charity collaborating with artists to occupy empty commercial spaces.

I always keep a sketchbook on hand and try to document people and places around me.

I also lead interactive audio-visual sensory sessions with groups of children and adults with additional support needs with the charity Soundplay Projects.”

What was your favourite project that you worked on during the year 24-25 – and why?

“Currently, I am really enjoying the CashBack Summer programme. I enjoy seeing creative responses to the participants’ environment, local heritage, and community. My favourite project I worked on in the year 2024-2025 was assisting with Art Therapy sessions.

Art Therapy offers a safe relaxed space where children can address difficult emotions and express themselves through creativity and play.

I enjoyed seeing participants process big life changes and challenges – with creativity. I learned a lot and it was very inspiring.”

What kinds of positive changes have you seen in participants on your projects?

“An increase in confidence and self-belief as participants make and create things they haven’t had a chance to make in the past and seeing people in the community make bonds they nourish and continue after projects end is very heartwarming and important.”

Hear directly from more of our multi-talented artists in the next instalment of Artist Spotlight.

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’re delighted to share that The Boardwalk, Impact Arts’ social enterprise events venue, has been named Glasgow’s High Street Hero in the Scotland Loves Local Awards 2025!

Award judges heard how our Merchant City venue was enhancing the area and opening opportunities “by combining economic innovation, social enterprise and environmental responsibility.”

As we said in our nomination, “The Boardwalk is a powerful example of how creative spaces can drive inclusive regeneration and build a more enterprising, resilient community.”

The venue, on Brunswick Street, features a 180-capacity black box theatre, a variety of meeting rooms and rehearsal spaces for hire which include seven studios.

We play host to events ranging from performances and dance rehearsals to company team days and conferences, all with the aim of attracting people and helping to breathe new life into the area.

Impact Arts took over the building from Scottish Youth Theatre in 2023 and all proceeds from bookings go back into our creative programmes with people of all ages in some of Scotland’s most deprived communities.

Reacting to the High Street Hero award, Impact Arts Chief Executive Fiona Doring said:

“We are absolutely thrilled that The Boardwalk has been recognised as Glasgow’s High Street Hero. This recognition means a lot to everyone at Impact Arts. The Boardwalk has become a real home for creativity, a place where people come together to make, perform, learn, and share ideas. From hosting diverse performances, wide ranging meetings, workshops, and conferences to supporting young people into employment, The Boardwalk shows how creativity helps to build vibrant city centres.”

By offering affordable venue hire to artists, charities, and community groups, then reinvesting the profits, The Boardwalk directly contributes to the local economy while addressing social inequality.

Long-term tenants include disability arts organisations such as Solar Bear and Birds of Paradise.
Some of Impact Arts’ Glasgow programmes, run at The Boardwalk, include helping young people disengaged from school or out of work to gain qualifications, work experience, and support toward positive destinations through its creative arts and youth employability projects.

The Boardwalk also has a Step Up to Net Zero Action plan which includes working towards the elimination of single-use plastics.

Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the Scotland Loves Local Awards recognise and reward all that’s great about the nation’s towns and neighbourhoods and the work to ensure they become stronger and more sustainable.

STP Chief Officer Kimberley Guthrie said:

“Creativity and entrepreneurship so often work hand-in-hand when it comes to breathing fresh life into our communities. The Boardwalk is a great example of that. Impact Arts are keeping a fantastic venue alive while opening life-changing opportunities to people in communities who need them most. It’s innovative, community-focussed regeneration.”

Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement encouraging people to create a better future for their community by choosing local.

Visit The Boardwalk website to learn more

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.  

As part of our Impact Arts Annual Report 2024-25, we interviewed some members of our creative delivery team to bring you this new series: Artist Spotlight!

Meet Sean Pickering

Hear from one of our artists Sean on drag and cabaret, creative sewing, and the transformative power of art. From murder mysteries to community impact, Sean Pickering shares how performance and visual arts spark confidence and creativity across generations at Impact Arts.

Tell us about yourself. What are your specialisms as an artist and what type of projects do you work on at Impact Arts?

    “After my university degree in theatre studies, I took a side-step into the world of drag and cabaret. I teach a wide range of performance and visual art skills, but I’m definitely a fan of a good sewing project!

    Whether it’s curtains or costumes, seeing the satisfaction on our participants’ faces when they’ve mastered the sewing machine and created something robust with their own two hands is priceless.

    I’ve worked with a wide age range of people at Impact Arts, from adults and parents to teenagers and children.”

    What was your favourite project that you worked on during the year 24-25 – and why?

    “It would be too difficult to pick a favourite but I did love working with our young people from Impactful Starts on their Murder Mystery project.

    We used a variety of painting techniques, creative writing, and sewing skills, and we created miniature universes and characters that branched off in many different directions.”

    What kinds of positive changes have you seen in participants on your projects?

    “Being able to take a participant from the start of a project through to the end and seeing the change in their confidence and mood is incredible! It’s my favourite part of working here.

    One participant I worked with on Make It Your Own spoke about how learning to paint had given her life a purpose, stopped her feeling like the walls were closing in on her, and helped her become more active and social within the community.

    Sometimes you think you’re improving someone’s day maybe 10% or 15% but the reality often ends up being much more profound and impactful.”

    Hear directly from more of our multi-talented artists in the next instalment of Artist Spotlight.

    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.