BIG LOTTERY

In 2008 BASIS was awarded a grant of £139,107 from the Big Lottery Young People's Fund to further develop its programme and provide artist-led workshops for young people from Barrhead and Neilston up to 2010. The Young People's Fund in Scotland is a £20 million grant programme to help young people aged 11-25 learn new things and take part in healthy and positive activities that make them feel good about themselves.

Groups benefiting from the workshops include the Neilston Girls Group, Youth Action, the Monday Night Group (formerly FABB) and residents of Connor Road. Pupils and at St Luke’s High School worked on a Book Project with Simon Grennan of international artist duo Grennan and Sperandio. ‘The Wisdom of Barrhead and Neilston’ is being delivered as a gift to the 7,500 or so households that make up Barrhead and Neilston in early June.

‘Creative Communities’, an exhibition showcasing the outcomes from the workshops was held in June 2009 at Eastwood Theatre, Giffnock.

A community event celebrating the launch of the book was held at Arthurlie House, Barrhead, on 20 June 2009.