We were delighted to take part in Doors Open Days Edinburgh 2026, showcasing the creativity of our participants and celebrating some of the incredible places and stories that make Edinburgh such a special city.

Over the weekend, St Michael’s Parish Church in Slateford opened its doors to the public as part of Doors Open Days, with artwork from three of our Edinburgh programmes on display; CashBack to The Future, Impactful Parents and Craft Café.

It was a fantastic opportunity to share the creativity, skills and achievements of our participants with visitors, while giving people the chance to learn more about the work we do across Edinburgh.

Celebrating creativity and community

Our young people also played a part in the wider Doors Open Days experience, creating a map highlighting some of the amazing venues taking part across Edinburgh. The map was available for visitors to pick up at St Michael’s, encouraging people to explore more of the city and discover the many buildings and spaces opening their doors.

We were also delighted to be involved in the Doors Open Days press launch at Camera Obscura, alongside The Cockburn Association, Invisible Cities and other partners involved in making the festival happen.

It was brilliant to come together with organisations who share a passion for celebrating Edinburgh’s heritage, communities, creativity and stories.

A huge thank you

A big thank you to The Cockburn Association and the Doors Open Days team for including Impact Arts in this year’s programme, and to everyone who visited St Michael’s over the weekend.

Most importantly, thank you to the participants and young people whose creativity made our contribution possible. It was fantastic to see their work displayed and appreciated by members of the public.

We’re proud to have been part of Doors Open Days Edinburgh 2026 and to have helped shine a light on the creativity happening across our programmes.

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.  

Impact Arts is delighted to be taking part in Doors Open Day Edinburgh 2026, showcasing creative work from some of our Edinburgh programmes at St Michael’s Parish Church, Slateford, on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see artwork created by participants from CashBack to The Future, Impactful Parents and Craft Café, celebrating the creativity, skills and achievements of people involved in our programmes.

Young people have also been getting involved in Doors Open Day by designing a map highlighting some of the amazing venues taking part across Edinburgh. The map will be available to download here, or pick up in person when you visit our exhibition at St Michael’s.

Come along and explore the artwork, discover more about Impact Arts and pick up your Doors Open Days map!

📍 St Michael’s Parish Church, 1 Slateford Rd, Edinburgh
📅 Saturday 26 September, 10am–4pm
📅 Sunday 27 September, 10am–3pm

We look forward to welcoming you!

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.  

Earlier this year, talented artists from across Scotland put their creativity to work in Draw Home, our art competition celebrating the meaning of home while raising vital funds for Make It Your Own – Impact Arts’ tenancy sustainment programme supporting people at risk of homelessness in Renfrewshire.

After an incredible response and a public vote, illustrator Reilly was crowned our 2026 Draw Home winner with her beautifully detailed coloured pencil artwork, capturing a warm and welcoming hedgehog family home inspired by the classic storybooks many of us grew up with.

We caught up with Reilly to hear more about her journey back to art, the inspiration behind her winning piece, what “home” means to her, and why creativity continues to play such an important role in her life. From rediscovering her passion after changing career paths to encouraging others to embrace their own creativity, her story is a wonderful reminder of the life-changing power of making art.

Can you tell us more about you and how you first became interested in art?

So, I study illustration in Glasgow at the City of Glasgow College, but am originally from Edinburgh, and while recently I have committed myself to an artistic pursuit, it really was not that way for a long time. It was originally my older sister who taught me to draw, showing me Manga characters for the first time when we were young girls, and I continued drawing as a hobby throughout school, but it was the creative restrictions and discipline that came alongside studying Fine Art at Nat 5 and Higher that put me off creating art for a long time. It is sad to say, but I had quite a negative experience in high school with studying art, and so I went off to University to study something much more academic and boring. After three years of that though, I thankfully saw sense and realised that my consistent C-level coursework might mean that I was made for more artistic pursuits.

What kind of artwork do you like the most/specialise in?

This piece of work is actually quite a good representation of my artwork and style of drawing. I love to work with coloured pencil in large-scale drawings – the original piece is A3 in size, and I chose to make it thus so that I could squeeze in as much homely detail as possible. I am constantly inspired by children’s artwork and tend to always have a child audience in mind as I am drawing, even if it is not intentional. I am a nanny for small children alongside my studies, and that up-close observation of these children and their families is always inspiring me in my artwork; it makes me want to draw what inspires them, what entertains them and what they interact with daily.

How did you first learn about Impact Arts?

I am very grateful to have extremely helpful tutors at my college who are always encouraging us to enter different competitions or get involved with volunteering positions. One of them emailed all of us with the details of the ‘Draw Home’ competition, where I was drawn in by such an inspiring company with a real heart for community.

What made you decide to enter the Draw Home art competition?

My entire life changed in many ways when I decided to leave University and study something I was more passionate about at college instead, and one of the biggest mindset changes I have sought is that ‘it can’t hurt… what is the worst that could happen?’ With that mindset, I entered the Draw Home competition believing that I had no chance of winning, but it could not hurt to try.

Can you tell us about your winning piece? (E.g. What was the inspiration behind it? How did you create it? What do you hope people think when they see it? Etc.)

This drawing was a labour of love, taking me about three months to complete. It pays homage to all of the classic animal tales that we all grew up loving: the E.H. Shepard drawings of Winnie the Pooh and The Wind in the Willows; the Beatrix Potter worlds; the original Pauline Baynes drawings of Mr and Mrs Beavers’ house in the Narnia stories. These and so many more films and books inspired in me a love for that type of home that is so full of stuff that the everyday life just seems to be spilling out of it in the most unashamed and glorious way. I wanted this little hedgehog mother to be caught in a moment that was for her, a mundane moment of routine, but for us as the viewer we are being allowed a brief peek into her family home where the hearth is always warm, the pantry always brimming and a hedgehog mother’s hug is never more than five minutes away.

How did you feel when you found out the public had voted your artwork as the winner?

More than ever, I felt so supported by the community around me. I am so fortunate to have friends and family who were as eager to vote for me as they were. It was so awesome to see my artwork alongside work that I thought looked incredible and was so well made and to have mine chosen over theirs was an honour.

The theme of this art competition was ‘home’ and entry fees went towards Make It Your Own, our tenancy sustainment programme preventing homelessness in Renfrewshire. What does ‘home’ mean to you?

Home for me has always been paramount in the way that I express my creativity and seek comfort. It is a place where I have total control over what it looks like, feels like, sounds like, even smells like and it is such a privilege to be able to have that kind of control over an entire space. Home is a place where I have the freedom to create a space that reflects my personality in an entirely material way, where I get to turn creative thoughts into physical pieces of me.

Our mission at Impact Arts is about transforming lives through creativity. What does art and creativity mean to you? Why is it important?

Right now, art is something that I am coming back to slowly. After years of putting it to the side to pursue what I thought I wanted, I am rediscovering it again. My creativity is driving me to explore new methods, tools and techniques that, if I am honest, turn out rubbish 90% of the time, but I am learning to be okay with that too again. That has definitely been the hardest part of this process, but I really try not to let it get to me, as every artist will tell you that is what it’s all about: trying something new again and again, hoping that it might turn out somewhat cool. And on the rare occasion when it does, that is the best feeling in the world.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about exploring art and creativity? What would your words of encouragement be?

Don’t try to separate your creative self from the parts of your life that seem as though there is no room for expression. If you have an ounce of creativity in you, nurture it so that it spills into every area of your life, to parts where you never thought art could be made. Use what is around you and make something weird, something rubbish, but something new.

You can view more of Reilly’s artwork on their Instagram page: @smileyreillyyy_

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.  

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.  

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.