Community Learning and Development Device Fund 2022 (360G-SCVO-a133z00000Lw0lmAAB)

We wish to establish a ‘No Limits’ community digital creative hub allowing young people - and the wider community - to access a range of digital, creative devices to support their learning. The overriding aim of our ‘No Limits’ project is to support the skills development and wellbeing of the young people we work with. We moved into our own premises on the High Street earlier this year and have a fully accessible building right in the heart of the community that lends itself to being a community hub. We work in a rural area, free access to creative digital technology is not easily available; the digital skills required for the world of work are always changing and this is particularly the case within the creative and gaming industries - two areas where Scotland is excelling! Local schools do not cater to these types of learning, although all pupils will have chrome books by the end of this year as part of a key Scottish Government policy, deepening their skills base and knowledge of all things digital and in particular digital skills specific to creative industries is still a learning gap. Engagement in such activities supports positive mental health and emotional wellbeing, giving young people a sense of purpose, a safe space to be, new social networks and positive relationships with the adult workers who will support them in their learning. We will offer ‘Skills Swap’ sessions where young people and members of the wider community can share digital creative skills, learning from each other. As with all our services we offer a warm and welcoming safe space in the community for young people taking part in this project, they can undertake accreditation for their participation if they wish; we always provide food and we can arrange transport if needed. Our project will focus on 4 key areas of. creative digital technology skills with regular group sessions delivered from our own premises, and some outreach work in the community; devices have been ‘bundled’ into each of these areas:Content Creation - making and editing videos, creating content that amplifies youth voice in relation to the issues facing society - climate change, the cost-of-living crisis, mental health and anything that young people feel is important to them. We already run several creative arts programmes and clubs but do not use digital technology in these settings as we only have access to one iPad. Having multiple cameras will allow groups to work collaboratively to film their creative output. Using professional standard cameras, Mac Minis* and editing equipment to not only convey their message but to build vital skills through experiential (hands-on) learning. These skills support future careers in technical theatre, drama, media, and marketing. (See also Digital Making below)eSports – developing our offer from basic ‘Game On’ sessions we have run using borrowed kit, to a proper community-based eSports offer creates opportunities for young people to develop their skills in the burgeoning eSports movement. eSports are recognised as helping develop transferable skills like teamwork, leadership, communication, strategic thinking, problem solving, decision making, analytical skills etc. With a proper eSports set up we can offer eSports Casting which supports cognitive development, helping students to be able to speak under pressure and develop valuable public speaking skills. Developing skills through eSports supports pathways into tech industries and more general marketing, media and design type pathways.Podcasting - we have worked with young people on a few podcasts using basic phone recording. For young people who do not want to be on camera, a podcast is a great alternative; this equipment will allow for skills development to a professional standard and ties to the growing popularity of podcasts post lockdown.Digital Making - we have piloted digital making this year using 2 Cricut digital printers and this has proved to be very popular. We want to expand this offer with Wacom One tablets which allow design without coding using digital pens. We are being gifted raspberry Pi’s, HD displays and keyboards by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The combination of Cricut, Wacom, Raspberry Pi and the mac Mini’s detailed in bundle 1 allows a comprehensive digital making platform that has accessibility for all levels to develop their skills.