Reachout Vision - Developing a Social Enterprise Trading Arm
An Introduction from
Lesley Arthur
Chief Executive Officer
Reachout & Art’n’Mind
The Makers Gallery & Bistro
Reachout is an ambitious organisation transforming lives through expression and creativity. Our vision celebrates and values the diversity within our membership. The leadership of the members is one of democracy and collaboration where equality is paramount, intrinsic.
It has been the integrity, ethos and commitment of those involved with Reachout; members, staff, volunteers, partners and friends who have driven the organisation forward for 24 years. As a vehicle for enablement and expression supporting 100’s of local young people and adults experiencing mental ill health.
Continuous learning and improvement is instrumental to our service delivery. Our insightful, determined staff team have undertaken diverse personal development challenges in response to the needs of the membership and development and growth of the organisation, embracing change, unity and vision.
Reachout & Art’n’Mind Reachout works to empower members to take ownership of the project. Together we are committed to increasing the quantity and quality of creative opportunities for our members, to extend their understanding of themselves through engagement with expressive arts, challenging attitudes and rebuilding lives. The arts are well documented in liberating physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing raising aspirations and self-worth transporting individuals into new realms of self-confidence.
Our social enterprise trading arm The Makers Gallery & Bistro has evidenced person centred learning and training enables those most disadvantaged the opportunity to flourish, providing commitment through a structured life, being part of a team, and trusted with responsibility establishes a bridge between the present and the future with 1 in 3 trainees gaining employment.
Finally I would like to extend thanks to all our passionate and compassionate staff who were and are a pleasure to work, with partners and funders who continue to support the critical frontline nature of the work Reachout delivers and most of all our members, who are open and honest seeking change through often difficult circumstances”. March 2017
Development of our Social Enterprise
The Makers Gallery & Bistro
Background
During 2011-2012 Reachout continued to grow and diversify, we felt we could do more to support our beneficiaries to have a greater focus on onward progression, and to help them make the successful transition towards employment. As grant funding became increasingly more vulnerable, Reachout became an incorporated company limited by guarantee with charitable status February 2011 and set up social enterprise trading arm Art’n’Mind
The Makers Gallery & Bistro February 2012.
Our Values and Goals
Reachout and trading arm Art’n’Mind utilises creative arts as a means of improving confidence, self-esteem, motivation and aspirations for adults experiencing metal ill health and barriers to employment as a route to recovery and eventual return to the work place; delivering services focused on education, progression, with sustainable employment as the ultimate goal.
The 5 stage Employability Programme was funded by Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Big Lottery Life Transitions Programme, People & Communities Fund, The Robertson Trust and a cocktail of smaller grant giving bodies.
The key principles of Art’n’Mind:
Creativity
Opportunities for ‘everyone’ to participate in the arts.
Engage, identify & promote local talent
Nurturing workshops, events, concerts, clubs and exhibitions
Enterprising
The project aims to become sustainable over the long term providing flexible space for the community & artists, affordable studios, rehearsal rooms, performance venues, exhibition space and support.
Education, progression & employability
40 trainee placements per annum plus creative skills development with hands-on training.
Further Project Development
Creative Scotland
Capital Programme
The Makers Village
Creative Scotland Capital Programme June 2012 explored the feasibility of developing The Makers Village further.
The Vision
The project aspired to transform The Makers Village into a cultural focus and important venue on the Forth Valley tourist map. In addition to supporting established creative business, The Makers Village also aimed to provide resource and know-how to aspiring makers in the area through workshops, night classes, studio space and equipment hire.
“The Capital Programme aims to enhance and develop The Makers Village establishing an eclectic cultural hub or workshops, gallery & performance space to develop skills and talent accessible to all”
Art’n’Mind secured £360,000 - 49% of the estimated total project costs from Creative Scotland.
Strategic Priorities included:
To redevelop The Makers Village as the premier creative & expressive arts venue in Forth Valley,
attracting arts and creative industries investment to the area
Create an arts hub facility for artists and creative practitioners, and a successful and sustainable educational training project that contributes to the regeneration of Clackmannanshire and the surrounding area
Develop participation in the arts and creativity and to be a catalyst for community development, employment and social regeneration
Provide a platform for local, national and international artists. To be a residency base for artists and creative practitioners
Partner with Scotland’s Art Schools and Forth Valley College delivering an educational resource for further education and training, activity in schools, and for the common good.
Strategic Context included:
The Makers Village will make significant contributions to national and local policy objectives.
Service activity will contribute to key themes of employability and workforce development; social justice and inclusion; and health and well-being.
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Catalyst that can energise the cultural and creative industries in Central Scotland;
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Platform for the delivery of Arts and Culture, tourism development and education;
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Important contributor to the national arts and creative industries sectors.
Architect Competition
Following the development of our vision 3 renowned architect companies were selected to present architectural proposals Pollock Hammond, Lucas Dow and Architecture Design Development. The latter was selected as the company that understood the requirement and had been realistic with anticipated budgets.
Architecture Design Development design would create additional letting space both on a short and medium basis.
The selection panel were:
Lesley Arthur Chief Executive Officer Reachout/Art’n’Mind
Craig Machan Managing Director Kingscavil Associates
Alex Brown Operational Manager Mulraney Group
Lys Hansen Patron & International Artist
Sandy Blair Development Officer Creative Scotland
Andrew Dixon Creative Scotland Chief Executive Officer
Following an extensive feasibility study of similar developments across Scotland and Northern England it was agreed to withhold the development as the current economic climate was becoming increasingly more challenging.
Sustaining and developing Reachout is a long term vision of the charity.
Art n' Mind Gallery Patron
“Engaging with the creative knowledge and raw skills of Lys Hansen was a highlight of the vision”
LYS HANSEN is a distinguished Scottish international artist. She trained at Edinburgh College of Art, with post-graduate studies, and then at the University of Edinburgh in Fine Art Studies, while simultaneously completing studies in speech and drama for the LRAM. She later completed teacher training with distinction at Moray House College.
She has won many scholarships and awards, including a Prix de Rome. She has also undertaken a number of international residencies by invitation. In 2010, she was invited by the Royal Scottish Academy to exhibit an entire wall of her work at its annual exhibition.
Lys, a former President of the Society of Scottish Artists, is a colourful, dynamic artist, known for her powerful figurative and expressionistic style. She is a prolific artist and has had many exhibitions both in the United Kingdom and internationally, particularly in Germany, France and Denmark. Her parentage is part-Danish.
She has worked regularly in Berlin since 1985, responding to the physical, psychological and political changes of that most extraordinary city: in many works, it serves as the archetypical focus of the tribulations, trials and the challenges of humanity.
Her main themes cover conflict and the human condition, in particular the inter-relationships of people and families.
LYS HANSEN brings with her the universal and the specific: an all-encompassing vision and a unique eye. We are delighted to have such a prestigious international artist as patron of The Maker’s Gallery & Bistro
