Uncharted An Lanntair Case Study About Activities

Uncharted is a programme of Uncharted has four strands: diverse activity delivered by Art Labs, the School Run An Lanntair, an inclusive and project, the Channel, inspiring multi-arts venue in and art commissions the . for bus shelters. Running in , Tarbert, Ness, and Uig, Aims five community centres have been equipped as Art Labs. Run by a programme lead Each is unique in its artistic and seven tutors who are direction, enabling young professional local artists, the people to experiment with aim is to inspire people to different materials, equipment create art that is connected and art forms. to place and time, and provide dedicated arts Engaging four rural primary activities in remote locations schools across Lewis and across the islands. Harris, the School Run Project enabled children to work with local artists to creatively record and map their journeys to and from school. The project spanned film, audio, drawing, photography, and creative writing and poetry in both Gaelic and English. Developed by An Lanntair and Impact on young people from Nicholson young people High School, the Channel is a website for Uncharted An ambitious youth-led participants to interact, write arts programme, Uncharted about their experiences and has engaged around 300 showcase their work. young people aged 5 to 25 Art Lab participants in over 160 hours of free commissioned two artists arts activity in areas which to produce pieces which previously had no provision. will transform bus shelters Participants lead the in Lewis, alongside further activities, recruit artists, artwork created by young design the website and people themselves. choose which art forms to explore. As such, they’ve developed transferable skills such as decision making, creative thinking and problem solving. Art Labs have boosted the aspirations of young people, encouraging them to consider alternative options for their creative futures. Local artists also benefit from the programme with stable employment and new teaching opportunities. Successes What’s next?

Uncharted has delivered a Young people are creating programme of quality arts artworks to be installed in activities in remote areas, local bus shelters, showcasing and provided young people pieces at local community with dedicated arts spaces exhibitions, making a in their local communities. documentary about the These participants have been bus shelter commissions, given the valuable opportunity and creating a publication to collaborate with skilled highlighting their work. It is professionals and to take hoped that these activities part in a continuous will also increase awareness nurturing programme. of the programme within the community.

Challenges and lessons learned

The programme lead is hoping to involve more tutors in collecting information on progression and achievement. Artists also feel that there is a need to generate greater awareness surrounding the benefits of arts activities for young people and their communities. Inside/Outside and Unlock Digital Hot Chocolate Trust Case Study About Aims

Funded through The main aims of the TTS.Digital, Hot Chocolate programme were to give led a programme of digital young people new creative activities working closely with opportunities, and to enable artists from Biome Collective, them to unlock the potential a digital arts collective, and a of digital art. By involving range of local partners. young people from the outset, Hot Chocolate ensured that Hot Chocolate Trust is a youth the entire programme was work organisation which planned and delivered by, provides a safe space for and for, those involved. young people aged 12 to 21 to come together in city centre. This community of young people often face a Activities wide range of challenges such as low educational attainment, Activities comprised a design bullying, unemployment, studio, taster and intensive homelessness, mental health sessions, Tumblr challenge, issues, risk taking behaviour events, open sessions and and discrimination. one-to-one activity. Through Design Studio, young people were introduced to techniques including screen printing, lino printing, photography and drawing, giving them the tools to contribute to the design of Hot Chocolate’s annual report. In partnership with Biome Impact on Collective and Dundee young people Contemporary Arts, monthly taster sessions in digital Young people have played media, screen printing and a key role in planning the interactive technology were programme and leading the made available, followed by activity. Through TTS.Digital intensive sessions in which funding, participants have participants could focus on had the opportunity to use their specific interests in technology they were unable creating individual projects. to access at school or college. Working with the One World Having had little access to Centre which promotes global digital art before, young justice and equality, young people were enthusiastic people hosted an exhibition about learning new techniques of paper lanterns created and skills. And, as a result of using LED candles and digital taking part in these new and photography. As well as more challenging activities, showcasing their creativity, their confidence and participants also explored self-esteem increased. their feelings by inscribing the Young people have formed lanterns with their thoughts new friendships out of the about global issues and their programme, having found own personal journeys. shared interests they were In addition, Hot Chocolate’s unable to explore at school. open sessions offer young And, beyond nurturing skills people the chance to create in arts and technology, the projects in the space any way programme has provided a they choose and they’ve also valuable platform for young been using online platform people to highlight issues Tumblr to consider issues important to them. pertinent to them, such as LGBT history month. Successes What’s next?

By using the format of taster Hot Chocolate has been sessions, Hot Chocolate was invited to work with Dundee able to successfully pilot City Council on an interactive new partnerships with digital project as part of the artists. Open communication regeneration of the waterfront. and real collaboration Young people will create an were key successes of the arts project that interacts with programme, and contributed the city and its residents, with to the continuation of the potential to include digital genuinely youth-led activity. techniques such as geocaching and augmented reality. Hot Chocolate is keen to Challenges continue experimental and exploratory digital activity. One unexpected challenge resulted from the assumption that all young people would have a certain level of technical literary and access to digital resources such as the internet and a laptop. As Hot Chocolate attracts young people that are likely to have fewer resources, the programme approach was revised to ensure everyone could take part equally. iGNITE Moray Youth Arts Hub Case Study About events, and assisted artists in delivering workshops. These iGNITE is the Moray Youth events gave young people the Arts Hub, managed by opportunity to be recognised Findhorn Bay Arts. The Hub for their impressive work. offers a diverse range of Through the Ambassador workshops and events, and Programme, young people promotes Moray as a place of promote and increase youth outstanding arts and culture. participation in arts. 20 young people aged 16 to 25 have volunteered as Arts Activities Ambassadors and helped shape the future of iGNITE. By May 2016, iGNITE had Two Ambassadors have engaged over 2,700 young gained Saltire Awards for people aged 0 to 24 in arts their work during Culture activities, and over 400 Day 2015, while another 12 children aged 0 to 4 through have received training in targeted work with parent and marketing, social media and child groups. Taster sessions review writing. were followed by 75 intensive The Hub also supports young workshops chosen by young people to access arts in people themselves, plus a different parts of the country, broader programme of events, covering the cost of travel, ambassador roles and access. tickets and accommodation iGNITE has supported young through the Go and See people to participate in local programme. iGNITE also events such as Culture Day encourages wider networking (led by Findhorn Bay Arts), by highlighting the range Belladrum Tartan Heart of other arts activities festival, Lossiemouth Wall available to young people of Rock festival, and Elgin in their local area. Food and Drink festival. Young people were involved in organising and promoting Impact on that Moray has a highly young people creative community, one that they would like to see The Hub has had a positive nurtured and promoted so impact on young people in that more young people a variety of ways. For some, can see the different the Hub has encouraged opportunities available to progression to further them through the arts. education in the arts, while others have increased their skills and gained experience Successes through learning, performing or promoting. One young The successes of iGNITE are person has gained a place on many and varied. The Hub has a BBC training programme provided arts activity to rural while another has noted that communities, supported local her increased confidence artists, empowered young helped her in getting her people to participate in and first job. iGNITE also shows take charge of arts activity, young people the wider and engaged a range of arts sector, highlighting the young people from toddlers range of career options that to young adults. The Hub has are available to creative also been recognised as an young people. Investing in Children Service, promoting the Rights of In addition, the Hub has Children and Young People. helped young people become more involved in their community and enabled them to meet new people. Participants are now aware of the local opportunities available to them and open to trying new and different activities. Young people feel Challenges and What’s next? lessons learned iGNITE hopes to continue The main challenge iGNITE increasing the sustainability faced was developing the arts of the arts in Moray by in an area with no provision. raising awareness and But through networking supporting artists with with a range of partners, the funding opportunities. Hub successfully delivered a range of arts activities to young people of all ages in Moray. The geography of the area also presented a challenge. iGNITE’s approach to this was twofold – the Hub offered activities in different locations so young people could find workshops and events close to home, and the Hub also offered to cover the travel costs of those in more remote areas. National Youth Orchestras of Scotland Case Study About that play music but might not have heard of NYOS Through targeted funding or considered joining in from Time to Shine, National such activities. Youth Orchestras of Ensemble start-ups were Scotland (NYOS) created a run by NYOS staff, enabling programme of regional and schools and communities to international development. set up their own bespoke ensemble which they can continue to develop, while Aims Route NYOS introduced communities to NYOS The aim is to improve the via workshops featuring reach and accessibility of introductory level ensembles NYOS, and to develop the and information sessions. reputation of Scottish youth Senior NYOS players (those arts at an international level. aged 20-25) have been heavily involved in the regional programme, with Activities nine players trained and employed as associate tutors. Regional activity comprised These senior members help residencies, ensemble deliver programmes to young start-ups and Route NYOS. people in the community, These were developed as and receive training from free-to-attend pilot projects experienced and skilled targeted in areas that have professional music educators. no youth arts hub or have low NYOS membership. Internationally, the project enabled NYOS to tour in China Led by senior musicians in and to host the European the role of associate tutors, Federation of National Youth regional residencies were Orchestras 2015. geared towards young people Impact on Successes young people A significant success of the The project has helped the programme has been the sense young NYOS musicians of community that emerges to improve their skills and from ensemble playing. By professionalism, and has being able to be part of this increased their confidence community of musicians from in playing, performing and an early age, young people teaching. Several associate are able to reduce feelings musicians have since gone of isolation and share their on to offer private tuition passion with their peers. or taken up volunteering opportunities to further develop their teaching skills. In addition, young people taking part in the regional programmes felt that learning to play in an ensemble helped them develop valuable skills, such as musicianship, stamina and teamwork. The programme enabled participants to grow as young musicians but also to develop skills they can use across their learning and throughout their lives. Challenges What’s next?

The project experienced The next part of the difficulties at recruitment programme is an exciting stage. NYOS had anticipated jazz/orchestral cross- forming strong partnerships genre regional residency in with each of the regional in October 2016. youth arts hubs, but few Such regional residencies demonstrated interest in with associate tutors have becoming involved. Instead, been a particularly successful NYOS set up the programme aspect of NYOS Time to Shine using its own wide network of activity and NYOS is keen to existing contacts. continue this work. #artcore Edinburgh Youth Arts Hub Case Study About provides practical support, such as technical advice and #artcore is Edinburgh’s Youth the space to create, as well Arts Hub and is managed by as opportunities for young Out of the Blue, an arts and people to share their work education trust. Based in the at public events. Drill Hall, Out of the Blue is a collective of over 100 artists across 60 studios running Activities small businesses around Leith and Edinburgh. Since its There are four main strands inception 20 years ago, the to the activities on offer trust has grown to become a and so far over 1,100 young significant cultural and social people have engaged enterprise in the city. with the programme. The strands comprise training and apprenticeships, the Aims print studio, the Creative Programme, and events. #artcore aims to empower #artcore supports up to young artists, encourage 12 short-term traineeships innovation, and support and four paid Creative partner organisations and Apprenticeships who work freelance artists to be within a wider team to responsive to the interests manage the programme. and needs of young people. Young people are also offered The ethos of the programme training and work through Out focuses on nurturing and of the Blueprint, a print studio. developing talent, treating This social enterprise provides young people as artists. services for artists, young #artcore believes that in order people and the community to flourish, young people to create Risograph prints need support and a platform at discounted prices. to develop and showcase their work. As such, the Hub #artcore’s creative Impact on programme offers a series of young people workshops for young people aged 13 to 25 encompassing #artcore has helped a wide range of art forms apprentices to develop their including printing, comics, skills in arts, communication writing, animation, circus and practical work, and skills, music recording, theatre boosted their confidence. and digital art (involving IT Young people have learned skills, coding and electronics). a significant amount about The Hub’s events provide the requirements of working a platform for young in the creative sector, such as people to present their event management, exhibition talent while also offering display and finance. This learning opportunities for experience in the creative the apprentices. Freshfest, sector is important to young for example, was a drop-in people, and each of them event run by the creative valued the apprenticeships apprentices to provide being paid positions. young people with the The activities of #artcore opportunity to showcase, have enabled young people perform and sell their artwork. to discover more about their #artcore also coordinated potential future careers the Edinburgh Youth Music options, find out how to Festival which has grown pursue these, and develop from a one-day event to a their portfolios. For one month-long programme of trainee, the experience of gigs, workshops and advice #artcore enabled him to gain sessions working with ten a place on a college course, local partners. while others were able to use their new experience as a way into further arts opportunities such as paid work or volunteering at major events. Young people now feel part of Challenges and the wider community at Out lessons learned of the Blue. They value having their work appreciated by Some of the young their peers and professionals, apprentices highlighted which in turn increases their difficulties in liaising with confidence and encourages wider arts organisations, and them to pursue their passions. felt that too much expectation was placed on them while they were still in the process Successes of training.

#artcore has been especially successful in placing young What’s next? people at the forefront of activity by providing them Out of the Blue is keen that with a platform and actively the print studio and some valuing their talent. Added of the more established to this, the apprentices workshops will continue noted that the programme wherever possible. strikes an important balance between giving young people a significant degree of creative freedom while being tailored to their specific interests and needs. Scottish Youth Theatre Case Study About Activities

Through Time to Shine Following workshops and funding for regional consultation with young development activity, people, and with support Scottish Youth Theatre (SYT) from Shetland Arts and set up four programmes Shetlands Islands Council, across Scottish Borders, SYT devised and delivered Orkney, Dumfries and a five-day programme of Galloway, and Shetland. activity built around musical theatre, composition, design and performance. Aims In creating the production, younger participants (aged This case study looks at 8 to 11) devised the story the activity in Shetland, a and themes, while older programme designed to participants (aged 12 to 16) engage young people in worked on music and design. theatre as a starting point for Their week long programme new theatrical pursuits. culminated in a performance in the Garrison Theatre. Training and support Impact on young people Two local young people, aged 16 and 25, were Young people gave their employed as workshop feedback through informal assistants by SYT. Through discussions, mood boards, these paid roles, participants written evaluation forms gained valuable skills in and video interviews. They theatre and youth work. described their enjoyment An additional volunteering in doing something new role helped another young and different, especially as person observe the work of they had experienced few freelance tutors and discover theatre opportunities in more about theatre. These Shetland. They also spoke three training positions highly of their tutors, who contributed to each young they felt were kind, friendly person gaining accreditation and encouraging, and had through Saltire and Youth increased their awareness Achievement Awards. of the opportunities available to them in future. All those involved believe that the programme helped young people gain confidence and develop new skills. By experiencing rehearsing, working to deadlines and maintaining concentration over long days, young people gained a valuable insight into theatre and performance work which in turn spurred their enthusiasm to take part in further theatrical activity. Successes What’s next?

Thanks to the programme, It is hoped that the physical young people are now resources left in Shetland more aware of the arts will inspire future theatre opportunities available to productions and arts activity them in Shetland and beyond. in the area. New relationships have flourished between young people across the island who have come together through the programme. Each of them has increased their knowledge of theatre and developed new skills, and together they created and delivered an inspiring local performance.

Challenges

SYT cited a number of lessons learnt in delivering the project, namely the importance of clarity surrounding the content of the project, shorter delivery slots to ensure effective concentration, and allowing more time to support assistants and volunteers in their training. Creative Internships Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Case Study About Activities

Since 2013, SCVO has The programme offered been running the Arts and three-month paid internships Creative Industries Graduate to 38 graduates and was Internship programme, open to unemployed recent also known as the Creative arts graduates aged 18 to Internship programme. The 30. Over 400 people applied programme works with and applications were passed employers in the creative directly to employers who industries to create paid recruited the applicants. internship programmes Placements were offered at for young people aged the living wage with some 18 to 30. SCVO received employers raising this further. Time to Shine funding The majority of employers to support employment were small businesses, opportunities in the arts. and a mix of third sector organisations, private businesses and sole traders, Aims working in a range of different areas, including The aim of the programme visual arts, performing arts, was to provide opportunities community arts, digital arts, for young people in their first design and technology, and years after graduating. arts management. A range of positions were on offer, including assistants, trainees, co-ordinators, curators and producers. Impact on Successes young people Young people believe the key Interns appreciated the successes of the internship training and support they programme were that they received, learned new skills, learned new skills, gained and found an opportunity valuable experience in the to use their existing skills in arts, and were offered the a professional environment. chance of paid employment. Several worked with the Being supported by organisation beyond their experienced staff contributed internship while others moved to their sense of well-being, into employment, freelance and all of those interviewed work and further education. said they would recommend the programme. Interns could Young people felt welcomed combine their professional by their host organisations, work experience together and relished being given with their experiences as responsibility and having their young artists, an opportunity contributions appreciated. that many felt they couldn’t They also cited having a paid have acquired elsewhere. employment opportunity as an important aspect of the programme, particularly as some had never before had paid work in the arts. As a result of the Creative Internship Programme, young people felt more confident, more employable and more positive about their future career prospects. Challenges What’s next?

One of the challenges for SCVO After three years of delivery, in delivering the programme the Creative Internship was the high demand from programme has now closed employers and young people, as it was unable to secure and matching this with the further funding. budget available to provide internship places. This demonstrated the need for this type of opportunity for young people and the arts sector. Sensatronic Lab Sense Scotland Case Study About exploring sound, light and touch in a creative way. Sensatronic Labs are digital As a core part of the project, music making workshops Sensatronic Lab has been for young people with designing and developing new communication support and accessible instruments needs. Funded through tailored to individual needs TTS.Digital and delivered and interests. All instruments by Sense Scotland, these have a digital element, tailored workshops are allowing the user to control the provided by freelance sound they create, and many professional digital artists instruments also incorporate with a range of expertise. multi-sensory elements so the experience integrates sound, light and touch. Activities The team at Sensatronic Lab have used a combination The primary activity of hi-tech materials and of Sensatronic Labs is technology, together with music making workshops. accessible materials with These sessions, open to particular sensory textures, established community such as marbles, water and groups and individuals, have textured plastics. This punk a flexible approach so that DIY approach reflects an participants can engage emerging field in digital arts with the instruments of their and marks a shift from the choice in the way they feel way technology has been most comfortable. Young used before in terms of people work on the process accessible equipment. of creating an instrument and making sounds, rather than an end result, and are encouraged to try new ways of making music and Impact on to facilitate workshops. He young people believes this opportunity gave him the chance to teach, Staff, group workers and learn, make contacts and parents have seen an increase improve equality, as well as in confidence amongst increase his confidence and participants, particularly become more independent. in making choices and developing individual styles and techniques. By learning Successes new ways to communicate, young people have improved The programme has been their social skills and, by successful in a number of working in groups, they’ve ways. Sensatronic Labs have learnt vital teamwork skills made a real contribution to like listening to others, sharing youth empowerment, giving and compromising. young people choice and control over the way they Sessions have boosted want to make music. It has participants’ confidence in also created an environment performing music, and have that is equally accessible to all helped some young people people and which constantly with cerebral palsy to increase adapts to the individual needs their range of movement. A of participants. Through number of participants have creativity and innovation, shown physical abilities that the programme has used have been exposed through technology to give young their experience in creating people the creative freedom sound and music. to explore sound, light and The project has also provided touch in the ways they wish. training and support. One music tutor is blind and extremely passionate about music, and was supported Challenges The instruments designed by Sensatronic Lab will remain While there were initial at Sense Scotland and the challenges in setting up the team is developing a series programme, particularly when of tutorials about them. With experimenting with new these resources, and through technology, these issues have partnership working, the been overcome and the team project staff hope young are positive about the future people can continue to have of the project and the ways it a platform to develop and might develop. share their talents.

What’s next?

The project manager believes this programme will have a direct influence on how Sense Scotland offers music provision in future. The flexible approach and cross artform style of Sensatronic Labs is more innovative than some of the current sessions delivered by the organisation. It is hoped that over time young people will continue to feel a greater sense of independence, control and expression, which will empower them to be more aspirational. Research on barriers to access Birds of Paradise Case Study About Activities

Through Time to Shine Birds of Paradise funding, Birds of Paradise commissioned a young and commissioned research to experienced researcher explore the reasons why to undertake the project. disabled and D/deaf young An online survey, together people were not accessing with information on the the arts, what the barriers research, was sent to young were and what could be done people, to all of the Youth to help. Birds of Paradise is Arts Hubs, and to young a Glasgow-based theatre people’s organisations across company working with Scotland. 20 young people disabled and D/deaf artists. were involved in the research through an online survey or an in-depth interview with BSL Aims interpretation provided when required. Most participants Using the arts as a platform were 18 to 25 and lived in the can be extremely powerful central belt of Scotland. and Birds of Paradise is keen Research found that many of that the next generation of the participants had engaged disabled and D/deaf young in arts activity before and had people have the chance to been involved in performing explore, create and achieve arts, visual arts, music and in the arts. film, and accessed this activity through schools, communities, workshops and formal arts training at college or university. However, research also found Recommendations that young disabled and D/deaf people face numerous To add value to the research barriers to accessing arts and to provide a useful provision, many of which were resource, the researcher interconnected, and identified produced recommendations these as: for arts organisations. • Finding suitable arts Offering guidance on how to provision – young people improve provision, the five key did not know where or how recommendations to address to look for arts activities barriers to access were identified as: • Availability of information – lack of information relating • Provision specifically to the accessibility of for disabled and D/deaf venues and facilities young people • Lack of provision for access • Centralised information and support – physical about arts opportunities access barriers such as lack • Access provision from the of support staff ‘Front Door to Stage Door’ • Travel, transport and • Connections built with location – difficulty getting disabled and D/deaf to and from activities, as communities well as inadequate and across Scotland expensive transport costs • Education and awareness • Attitudes and awareness for arts providers. of arts providers – a lack of understanding by arts providers about the capacity of disabled young people. Successes What’s next?

The research was undertaken The full research report by a young disabled person will be launched at a public and one of the key successes event later in 2016, along of the project was their ability with a creative response for to gain the confidence of disabled and D/deaf young participants through a genuine people. Birds of Paradise interest in the research. will collate the findings and recommendations into a The research findings and summary for organisations, recommendations represent making it available in a useful and practical learning accessible formats, and will resource that is not limited to then examine the findings the youth arts sector, but can and consider the next steps. be used by anyone working in the arts or for disabled and D/deaf young people.

Challenges

All of the Youth Arts Hubs were contacted to seek their help distributing the online survey and to raise awareness of the research to potential participants. Very few Hubs responded and, out of those who did, some reported that they did not record or maintain information about disability or additional support needs. Argyll Youth Arts Hub Case Study About Activities

Argyll Youth Arts Hub was Argyll Youth Arts Hub established to address the lack has worked with its youth of connections between artists advisory panel, partner and organisations across organisations and artists to Argyll and Bute. Led by Comar, bring new arts programmes a multi-arts organisation based to the regions of Argyll and on Mull, the Hub had worked Bute. Delivered through with 1,960 young people by workshops, events and June 2016. residential weekends, and informed by young people’s interests, activity has been Aims extensive and eclectic including painting, sculpture, The Hubs main aims are to filmmaking, photography, develop a network of artists stone carving, weaving, and organisations that can theatre and digital art. provide arts opportunities In response to requests for young people, and to by young people, the Hub empower young people to also arranged a portfolio lead in participating, planning preparation weekend which and delivering arts activity. included mentoring by a professional artist to enable participants in developing a portfolio of work for education or employment. An additional residential weekend offered young people the chance to explore multiple artforms and attracted 40 young artists and performers. The Hub has supported Impact on training opportunities and young people employed young people as Young Promoters and The Creative Apprentice Channel Managers who and Young Promoters are lead and deliver events for positive about the Hub and other young people in the its Time to Shine activities. region. To date, 13 young Young people feel they’ve people aged 15 to 22 have learned about working with been employed in this role large organisations and also and produced an impressive independently as freelancers, range of work including and gained valuable experience live performances, festivals, in managing administrative heritage events and creative aspects of arts projects. challenges. The Hub also supported the funding of a Young people are now more Creative Apprenticeship confident in talking to their role at Comar. peers and with adults, and they feel this increased self- assurance has opened up more opportunities. They now have the confidence to apply to college, enter arts competitions and take up volunteering posts. Activities at the Hub have given young people the opportunity to develop their creativity, discover artforms, make a tangible contribution to working in the arts, and develop skills for life. Successes What’s next?

Argyll Youth Arts Hub has The way people and been particularly successful organisations in the region in empowering young people. have become connected will Participants have appreciated be a lasting legacy of the the level of autonomy and programme, as will the ethos responsibility they’ve been of placing young people at given, and believe a positive the centre of arts activities. step has been taken by allowing them to take charge of activities.

Challenges

Promoters and Channel Managers have faced difficulties when trying to engage young people in arts activity though felt this was a valuable learning experience which gave them an insight into arts projects from the perspective of a deliver.

What’s Your Story? Scottish Book Trust Case Study About Activities

Through Time to Shine Several components made art form development up the programme: funding, Scottish Book Trust StoryCon, an online platform created What’s Your Story, and writers network, and a young writer development a mentoring programme. programme. Scottish Book Planned by participants Trust is a national charity themselves, StoryCon was dedicated to changing lives a young writers’ conference through reading and writing. which drew in 154 young people aged 13 to 19. Ahead of the day, the young Aims planners attended workshops and training in creative Through What’s Your Story, networking, conference Scottish Book Trust aimed to planning and online raise awareness of creative resources. The conference writing and illustration, and itself included talks, offer pathways for young workshops and presentations writers to share their work by 15 guest speakers. This and improve their practice. unique day covered all aspects of writing including zine-making, blogging, podcasting, Gaelic prose, fanfiction, and writing for TV and film. Young writers were also Impact on supported online via young people the creation of an online magazine by ten writers What’s Your Story has created who had taken part in the valuable experiences for mentoring programme. young people, nurturing their A platform for young talent and supporting their people across Scotland, the development. Those involved website offers writers the have highlighted the benefits opportunity to submit work of being able to explore for professional feedback. different aspects of writing, Through the mentoring including illustration and non- programme, which included a fiction genres. Many young three-day residential, young people are now keen to pursue writers were paired with a career in the arts having established professionals found the programme a useful who helped them develop and inspiring experience. their own work. Through the mentoring programme, young people developed and improved their writing skills, and also boosted their confidence, self-esteem and social skills. The programme has also supported them to use writing as a creative outlet to explore personal experiences, interests and passions. Attendees at the young writers’ conference found it a great way to meet those with shared interests. In addition, they valued the opportunity of hearing from industry other opportunity to work professionals, and came to see face-to-face and this lack that writing can take many of personal contact meant formats which can be pursued relationships took longer to as a career. They also learned develop. new techniques and styles of writing, and felt inspired and motivated to develop more of What’s next? their own work. The Scottish Book Trust is actively pursuing funding Successes opportunities in order to sustain the programme as Young people have benefited far as possible, with hopes from What’s Your Story in of running another literary a variety of ways with key event for young people in successes including having the future. their work acknowledged, meeting other young writers, and improving their writing and personal skills.

Challenges

Through the mentoring programme, young people and mentors came from regions across Scotland and communicated primarily through their online messaging application. Aside from their initial meeting at the residential, they had no