A CREATIVE art programme which helps young people find work is returning to Barrhead.

Creative Pathways is a project led by Impact Arts who specialise in giving youngsters out of education, training or employment the opportunity to learn new skills and understand what it takes to excel in a working environment.

The initiative, which is open to 16-25-year-olds and offers a training allowance of £55 per week, opened its doors at the Auchenback Resource Centre this week where it will hold classes over the next three months.

Overseen by tutors qualified to degree level, each creative workshop offers something different and participants could be involved in anything from a full-scale garden makeover to an arts exhibition where their own work is put on sale to the general public.

In the past the programme has carried out refurbishment work for Barrhead Housing Association and the town’s museum.

Linda Burke, lead tutor at Impact Arts, emphasised the benefits of the Creative Pathways project for those trying to take their first steps in the working world.

She said: “They have the opportunity to gain a SQA Enterprise and Employability award while they’re doing the work and, as long as they’re documenting it, they can get an accreditation out of it. We also help with CV building and job applications.

“You’ve got to enjoy being creative, working in a team and having a lot of fun.”

Impact Arts works with people of all ages throughout Scotland and takes on between 300 and 400 projects each year which include pop-up craft cafés for the elderly and an Artist Mentoring programme for art graduates.

Linda added: “For this next year of projects we have got money from Inspiring Scotland and Bright Green Future. We believe that art is a good therapy and a good way for people to build their confidence and self-esteem.”

The Creative Pathways classes, which run from 10am until 4pm, are held from Tuesdays to Fridays.

To find out more information, contact Linda on 01294273051 or email linda.burke@impactarts.co.uk.

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