Category

• Promising Local Practice

---

Poverty impact

• Mitigation
• Awareness

---

Poverty driver

• Reduce cost of living
• Provide benefit in-kind (experience)
• Increase income from benefits
• Increase employment income

---

Keywords

• Education
• Empowerment
• Training
• Housing
• Stigma

Aim

• CentreStage’s key aim is to meet the needs of its service users through a tailored approach which takes account of the clients individual needs.
• CentreStage aims to build a sustainable, safe and welcoming community based environment which adapts to the client’s needs.
• Its objective is to reduces poverty by building connection between services and community, promoting healthy wellbeing, and empowering individuals to take control of their lives and life choices.

Summary

CentreStage Community Arts is an inclusive community arts project based in Kilmarnock and the surrounding area which utilises creative activities inclusive of; music, theatre, dance and performance to improve holistic health, wellbeing, self-confidence, and social skills. The project is open to people of all ages and backgrounds, and provides opportunities to develop skills, build social relationships, and participate more in community life. Through the adoption of an inclusive arts based participation model, in addition to diverse communities partnership engagement, the project acts as a gateway to wider practical support by helping residents to access services that improve wellbeing, employability and financial resilience.

What difference does it make?

CentreStage continues to show high indicators within its work, with 97% of users reporting increased confidence, 90% report making new connections, and 93% reporting improved mental health.
The data collected shows that CentreStage helps people build resilience, feel hopeful (one of CentreStage’s core values), be able to help themselves, and work with the services available to improve employability and reduce poverty. CentreStage’s work has also supported participants to access better housing, enhance individual well-being, and strengthen their financial management skills.

Key take-aways

• Do not underestimate the importance of community. Creating opportunities for people to come together in a safe, non-stigmatising environment builds resilience, strengthens social connections and can reduce reliance on public services.
• Create safe, welcoming and genuinely inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued and able to access support with dignity.
• Tackle poverty holistically by addressing social isolation, confidence and wellbeing alongside financial hardship.
• Build strong cross-sector partnerships to provide joined-up support and improve outcomes for individuals and families.

 

Organisations

CentreStage’s partners include: • Ayrshire Gymnastics. • Barclays. • Beautiful Inside & Out. • Community Housing Advocacy Project. • CoreFit. • East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants & Residents. • Flexible Childcare Services Scotland. • Joe Wood’s Ceilings. • Kinship Carers. • Leanne Cairns Millinery. • Little Arts School. • Maureen McFarlane Therapy. • National Autistic Society Scotland. • NEST. • OCCAM. • Quarriers. • Ross Cooney Music Tuition. • Skills Development Scotland. • Vibrant Communities – English for Speakers of Other Languages. • Victim Support Scotland. • We Make Kilmarnock. • Who Cares? Scotland. • WorkingRite. Weekly visitors include: • AA Psychology Services. • Ayrshire College. • Ayrshire Film Co. • Breakthrough Fellowship. • Buzzworks. • Imagine Care. • Federation Small Business. • Kilmarnock Business Association. • Kilmarnock History Group. • Men’s Dementia Group. • Harbour Ayrshire / Thrive. • EA Housing Advocacy Support. • Music Tuition. • NHS Ayrshire & Arran. • Sight Veteran Scotland. • Social Security Scotland. • Tai Chi class providers.

Location

Kilmarnock and surrounding area.

Contact