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Impact Arts CashBack to the Future: Summer Showcase 2021

27th August 2021

With summer almost over, it’s a good time to look back at what the young people attending the Impacts Arts summer programme got up to during the warmer months.

Despite the challenges of Covid-19 restrictions, nearly 100 young people from across Scotland took part in the programme, where they worked with artists, performers and youth workers to create a wide range of amazing projects. 

Participants demonstrated imagination and creativity in abundance, and the CashBack team were delighted to be able to go along to the Edinburgh showcase in person and meet some of the young creators. It was incredible to see what the young people were able to produce after only a few weeks of summer school. Some of them may feel inspired to go on to do more creative work in the future, while others will leave with newfound confidence, an enhanced skillset and perhaps even new friends.

These are just some of the enthusiastic comments from participants:

“CashBack has been great for introducing me to new people and art forms!”

“CashBack has been a very good experience; the people have been amazing and the artwork is very important.”

“CashBack is fun and great at helping people get better at socialising.”

“It’s a nice, safe and supportive environment, and I enjoy just chilling out and doing art.”

“My time with CashBack has been inspirational and memorable.”

This showcase illustrates the fantastic work created by the young people, so pour yourself a glass of water or a cup of tea and sit back and enjoy!

The CashBack to the Future programme provides positive, creative activity for young people aged 12 to 19, across five Local Authority Areas in Scotland. The programme is delivered over the summer holidays in community-based locations, and is continued year-round to provide ongoing support to young people.

In 2020/21, 221 participants were reached by CashBack to the Future, despite restrictions as a result of Covid-19. Young people who took part reported increased personal skills, reduced participation in anti-social behaviour, and increased confidence and resilience. One young participant gave especially glowing feedback after taking part in a creative workshop this summer:

“You all created this really nice, safe, creative bubble, where I could really be creative and explore. You encouraged us all to be proud.”

Inspired? Read Impact Arts’ full 2020/21 annual report.

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