Helping people get back into employment through the arts
The University’s Museums team have established an effective partnership with Access to Industry, a charity that works with individuals to support them into education and employment.
The charity is based on the Cowgate, a stone’s throw away from St Cecilia’s Hall – Scotland’s oldest purpose-built concert hall, home to The University of Edinburgh's musical instrument collection.
The partnership first began in the summer of 2019, with volunteering placements at St Cecilia’s Hall for three individuals who were referred via their Access to Industry case worker.
One volunteer, John, was then offered the further opportunity to complete a Diploma in Cultural Venue Operations. The course took place between June 2020 and August 2021, with John completing units on various topics, such as ‘Provide visitors with general assistance’ and ‘Contribute to the care of items’.
From the very beginning, walking to Access to Industry was a massive step and I was apprehensive to even go. However, the positivity that I received (Magda) was astounding and that kept me going back.
Over time, opportunities arose to learn new skills and enhance my wellbeing, which led to me doing volunteering at St Cecilia’s. This is something that I would not have ever considered, but I'm so grateful I did for the positivity and help that I received there from the community officer (Laura). She only wanted me to do my very best to help and be part of a team that provide a very good service to the public and beyond.
I went on to achieve a Diploma with St Cecilia's, which only happened because the staff at St Cecilia's went out of their way throughout lockdown and worked within the rules to help me finish. This is an appreciation for a new partnership in its infancy, which I hope continues for a very long time.
Since September 2021, St Cecilia’s Hall have also been hosting an Access to Industry group meeting for unemployed parents.
In addition to providing a meeting space free of charge, the museums team have helped deliver digital skills workshops to the group, working in partnership with the University’s Wikimedian in Residence and the Digital Library team. Laptops have also been provided through the University’s reuse department.
The museum will offer digital placement opportunities from February 2022 onwards.
During what is a tough era for everyone, a really positive aspect of late has been our growing and multi-faceted relationship with our ‘good neighbours’ at St Cecilia’s Hall and the University of Edinburgh in general. As two organisations with a genuine ‘inclusivity’ ethos, we hope that these recent efforts are just the beginning of some creative projects we can undertake in the years ahead .
How this project contributes to our Community Plan
Commitment 1: Sustain and grow activities related to our social impact pledges including: tackling homelessness and rough sleeping; promoting digital inclusion; supporting vulnerable groups and areas of multiple deprivation.
Commitment 8: Actively look for ways in which we can place more of our resources (buildings, equipment, vehicles) at the service of local communities and groups, whilst still using them to deliver on their core purpose.
Commitment 25: Better promote our University museums and collections to the local community and make performance space available for local charities at St Cecilia’s Hall.
Commitment 29: Trial opening up some of our buildings to allow community bookings on a cost-free basis.