Youngsters in Craigshill will be encouraged to "be all they can be" this summer with a range of book themed activities designed to spark their imagination.
Spark, the former Craigshill Good Neighbour Network charity, will launch Craigshill Storytelling Festival in partnership with Almond Housing on Saturday.
Two events have been organised for next week with funding from West Lothian Council’s Community Choices funding programme.
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They kick off a summer of projects organised by Spark in Craigshill with the emphasis on imagination and reading. The idea is to inspire local youngsters to discover lives “beyond their lived experience”.
Spark co-ordinator Jane Deary explained where the idea came from in her own childhood.
“Each school summer holiday I would watch the program called ‘Why Don’t You?’. Those of a similar age might remember it too. It showcased an array of awesome activities but out of reach for young people living in a council estate on the outskirts of Glasgow. I remember thinking 'wow I would love to do that but that is for other kids'. But why should it be just for other kids?
“The same goes for careers. Why should they only be for other people? It’s other people who work on TV, other people who are in a band, other people who write books, other people who have their work shown in galleries or have people come to watch them in a show.”
Jane added: “The spark for this came from my experience visiting local primary schools career days and realising that many of the children did not have much ambition as to a career they might like to aim for. Stories provide great inspiration, and it is the hope that this festival may inspire our children (and perhaps their family members) of the possibilities that the world has to offer beyond lived experience.”
She said: “We have developed a summer long programme which launches on Saturday at our centre and pleased to say the library will be opening its doors to support the event. The [West Lothian Council] Anti-Poverty Team plans to be involved and possibly the Adult Basic Education team.”
Saturday’s event is a family fun day with free stalls and activities promoting storytelling in all its forms. “We are delighted to have included an interactive storytelling session with The Gruffalo which might pull in the crowds, “ said Jane.
Next Thursday, Spark hosts ‘Why Not Me!’ a panel event with TV presenter Gail Porter, local world record breaking cyclist Josh Quigley, Diversity Scotland’s Tony McCaffrey, award-winning communications expert Sophie Robertson and local children’s author Scott Fleming. There will also be information stands from Start Scotland, Career Ready and the Credit Union.
Jane said the hope was that the panel would show local youngsters what is possible.
“It will help to ignite the belief that these opportunities are there for the taking no matter what your background.
“We want to introduce the young (and old) to those who have developed a career following their passion and interests. Show them that these people were just like them. They had challenges to face and overcome. The point is they did. With a focus and belief, they sought out the opportunities, developed their skills and networks and, as the theme tune to the TV programme Why don’t you? goes….’ get out of bed to do something less boring instead’.
Craigshill Storytelling Festival has a special finale on Saturday, 17 September of "The Tiger Who Came to Tea Party". A fun tea party with games, food and special guests.
The summer programme dates are:-
Tuesday 5th July
Children's book reading 'Lifes a Beach'.
Thursday 7th July
Aardman Animation Model Making Workshops & Community Cinema.
Tuesday 12th July
Magic and Wizards Day.
Thursday 14th July
Story Explorers Workshop with a Space & Sci-Fi theme.
Wednesday 20th July
Summer Panto 'Cinderella'.
Thursday 21st July
Wellbeing Day with story massage, mindfulness and journaling workshop.
Tuesday 26th July
Horrible Histories theme & Community Cinema showing Livingston's 60th Birthday documentary.
Thursday 28th July
Story Explorers Workshop with a world & travel theme.
Thursday 4th August
Roald Dahl Day - Charlie & the Chocolate Factory workshop with arts & crafts plus the Community Cinema.
Tuesday 9th August
Zines Workshop.
Thursday 11th August
Story Explorers Workshop on the theme of maps, both real and fantasy.
Thursday 18th August
Story Explorers Workshop on theme of jungles, mountains, oceans and all things wildlife.
Thursday 25th August
Letter Writing Workshop exploring the importance of letter throughout history and local author Linda Erskine new book launch 'Limitless'.
