Fab Pad Susan Aktemel Director

Who is Impact Arts? Independent community arts organisation Established full-time, up to 60 part time artists Two companies - trading and charitable Working across Scotland

Our Aims To use the arts to make a positive and lasting change to people’s lives To combine social responsibility with sound and ethical business practice

Helping young tenants make their house a home

Fab Pad – what is it? Tenancy stabilisation Improve employability and access to opportunity Personal development through creativity An interior design project for homeless or vulnerable young people (16-35 years) which enables:

Most of our Fab Pad participants have been homeless for a substantial length of time, repeatedly homeless or at risk of losing their home

Levels of Involvemnt Fab Pad Starter Book Taster Courses Main Individual / group programme Delivery tailored to individual / project need

How does it work? Initial meeting with young person (and key worker) Home visits with Interior designer & Fab Pad co-ordinator Development of action plan related to flat and design ideas Start Workshop programme

What do we do? Develop room design plans Use of colour Paint effects Wall preparation, papering, painting, tiling Creating soft furnishings Mosaic and ceramic painting Creating accessories Use of lighting Furniture renovation and transformation

What Happens Next? Allocation of shopping budget (currently £100 per person) Development of personal action plan (employment and training related) Ongoing home visits from interior designer and workshop participation Progression on to employment, training, further education or other opportunities

Does it work? In 2004/5 we worked with 190 clients across Glasgow and central Scotland. Approx 85% sustained their tenancy for at least 6 months after engaging with Fab Pad About 56% progressed on to education, training, volunteering or job opportunities

Also… Stability in home life and pride in home Renewed family contact Improved self esteem and aspiration Making new friends and reduced isolation Improved literacy & numeracy Sense of achievement Money management Improved concentration Keeping appointments and maintaining contact

What the participants say: “It’s shown me a talent I never knew I had.” “It’s got me thinking about what I want to do – I’m looking at New Deal, and art training courses at college.”

“It’s opened a new world for me – I’ve now started an art class at the unemployed resource centre.” “It came at a really good time for me and I have told a lot of my pals at Phoenix who are getting ready to get a flat.”

What our partners say: “Working with Impact Arts we recognized that personal development was a key issue for young people at risk of tenancy breakdown and that Fab Pad could help them reshape their lives. North Ayrshire Fab Pad is delivering savings on void management to local landlords and the participants are learning new skills, developing confidence and taking up new opportunities. We are delighted.” Hugh Mc Ghee, Cunninghame Housing Association.

Current Projects Glasgow : North, Gorbals, Drumchapel, Greater Pollok, East End, Govan East Dunbartonshire – Kirkintilloch Stirling North Ayrshire West Dunbartonshire - Balloch

Planned and developing projects Glasgow – Castlemilk and Maryhill Edinburgh Dundee South Ayrshire North Lanarkshire Aberdeen Borders

A creative solution to the problem of youth homelessness. contact: Fiona Doring –