Two West Lothian men are launching a new charity to help people access the creative arts.
The Scheme was founded by Aidan Martin, Livingston author of memoir ‘Euphoric Recall’, and Mark Deans, an established musician and artist from Livingston.
The pair hope to provide people across West Lothian with opportunities and access to the creative arts that they never had when they were coming up in the industry.
In the future The Scheme aims to operate as a hub for locals to come and try out new things - like painting, music, writing, and other arts - for free and be given support in developing their skills.
It is hoped The Scheme will become a long-standing institution in West Lothian to support locals to get into the arts.
Mark Deans said: “Aidan and myself have known each other since we were kids growing up and we reconnected with each other when he asked me to make a cover for his book when it came out two years ago.
“West Lothian has been deeply affected by the drugs death crisis in Scotland, particularly areas around Livingston which have suffered quite badly.
“Growing up in areas like this, there is nothing to do and nowhere to go, which breeds addiction. I’m 31 and even now there’s very little for people to do.
“With The Scheme we want to create a judgement-free space where people can come and be around like-minded folk and dip their toes into painting, writing, music, and other arts.
“There’s a real catharsis to be found in making something creative.”
Making its first appearance at West Lothian Pride on Saturday - The Scheme is hoping to drum up support and register interest while it awaits charitable status from the charity commission.
Their first event will be a writing workshop in West Lothian College hosted by the pair of established artists on August 18 from 7pm to 9pm.
The free workshop has been launched as a ‘gentle introduction to writing’ with the focus for the first event being ‘executing a hook’.
Aidan Martin said: “The Scheme has been in the works for the last two years. Myself and Mark speak a lot about the drug death crisis and the mental health crisis, so we put our heads together to see what was missing when we grew up.
“It will be a free service, and we hope to be able to introduce people to the creative world of music, writing, performing, filmmaking, and any other arts which can seem inaccessible at times.
“We want to offer a place of support and development for vulnerable people, it won’t be a clinical environment but a place for connection and social cohesion, which I feel West Lothian is lacking at the moment.
“Creativity was a big part of my recovery journey. We want to offer a creative environment that is safe to go to for healing and soothing in the absence of state-funded services.”
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