Ambitious plans have been revealed to transform a former supermarket into a arts and wellbeing hub.
Local charity Trash Panda want to use the former Farmfoods store in Bathgate for talented artists ready to make their mark but also for yoga, youth groups and walking groups, to name a few.
Trash Panda was formed in 2020 Bathgate residents Katy Forrester and Adrian McNab.
It is a Community Interest Company (CIC) and has been created through their love of community and a vision to combine arts with a support service to provide a creative space and wellbeing Hub for those in and around the Bathgate area.
Both Katy and Adrian have extensive experience in this field. Adrian was a successful self-employed photographer as well as a live production engineer. He is keen to work with local artists and help produce new talent and create opportunities for them.
Adrian is Passionate about the power of music and the impact it can have on people struggling with their mental health.
Katy is a Business Graduate and has built her career in employment and housing support. Her focus has been working with individuals who have mental health issues, learning difficulties and disabilities.
She is keen to develop a safe hub in her local community that can easily be accessed for support when needed.
They said: “Over recent years there has been a surge of young talent coming up from the West Lothian area. Artists such as Lewis Capaldi and The Snuts have been topping the charts and Trash Panda CIC are currently working with a full list of talented artists ready to make their mark.
“Trash Panda CIC are there to work with people locally to bring out their creative side and it is proposed that the Arts and Wellbeing Hub will provide the best possible place to practice that is safe, affordable and accessible.
“In addition the brand now attracts a wide client-base, this includes particularly vulnerable groups of individuals looking for support. These groups, which are more prone to suicide, are engaging with them and this facility will allow them to provide not only much needed support but a safe place to talk in the wellbeing space.”
The building will also provide space for hosting classes for yoga, youth groups and walking groups, plus many more and individual rooms will allow them to be rented for arts activities, music teaching classes, podcast studios, photography studio and recording rooms.
Bathgate Brass Band are also looking to take a large area at first floor for their rehearsal room.
The internal space at ground floor level will be sub-divided to form three dedicated recording studios and four multi-purpose rooms as well as the wellbeing hub and informal seating area at the front. This area will be flexible to allow for a number of uses.
Katy and Adrian continued: “Following the pandemic and lockdown the demand for support is on the rise and Trash Panda CIC are looking to be there to help as many people as possible.
“The Social Enterprise combines the arts and wellbeing support services, always putting the local community at the heart of what e do.
“The aim is that the model proposed for Bathgate will have the potential to be expanded into other communities across Scotland and this service will be able to grow and adapt as circumstance dictate.”
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