A community arts group in north Glasgow are preparing their free autumn workshops for a range of participants after a £2,500 donation from Allied Vehicles, one of the city’s biggest employers.
BOOM! Community Arts in Possilpark was founded in 2017 by a group of people with links to the area who recognised a gap in provision and believed that art can changes lives.
They work to combat social isolation amongst the young and elderly population, tackle health inequalities and improve social cohesion by providing a place for people to be creative, try something new and chat to others with the same focus.
The group aims to deliver 140 workshops in the current financial year, with 1,900 people taking part – building on a successful model to offer free community arts engagement opportunities in Possilpark and surrounding areas. Their focus is on north Glasgow because of a lack of provision in the area and its high socio-economic disadvantage.
“We see creative art as a process which promotes enjoyment and learning with the emphasis on experience, not output … Our workshops inspire, encourage exploration of creativity, and strengthen sense of community,” said BOOM!
“Our friendly, welcoming approach has made us a trusted organisation and resource in the area. A participant recently said that attending the workshop has helped her to ‘turn my life around’ due to having a weekly place to meet people and explore an interest.”
When the group approached Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust they still had over £10,000 to raise to deliver this year’s full programme and said £2,500 would help them reach their target.
On receiving news of the AVCT donation, Boom! producer Nina Docherty, said: “Thank you so much for this grant which will allow our autumn block of community art workshops to go ahead as planned, providing the community of North Glasgow with a free, welcoming space to go every week to do something fun, explore creativity and connect with others.”
Allied Vehicles recently picked up a national award for its community support and involvement in the Family Business of the Year Awards.
Company owner Gerry Facenna said: “When I launched Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust 18 months ago I said I wanted to give something back to the community where our company was established and remains to this day.
“BOOM! has a great impact on Possilpark and its surrounding areas and we’re delighted to help them deliver this year’s community programmes.”
