Generating Opportunity CIC
Promoting Inclusion and Diversity through the Arts
Welcome To Our Website
Generating Opportunity CIC is a creative wellbeing project in Perth, Scotland, working with people who use support. We use the medium of the creative arts, including photography, drawing and painting, crafting, creative writing, reminiscence activity and film to deliver activities which encourage people to express themselves, dream big and get the most from life. We work with clients as creative collaborators, learning from them as we share and develop common interests. This enables us to celebrate diverse voices, promote wellbeing and strengthen communities. We also encourage people to tell and share their stories, through music playlists, the spoken and written word and film. And we work with artists, crafters, musicians and makers, to widen the networks of arts-based opportunities for our clients. generatingopportunitylincs@gmail.com
Generating Opportunity CIC
A creative wellbeing project, working with people who use support
Generating Opportunity CIC
Developing and sharing common interests in order to strengthen communities
Generating Opportunity CIC
Using the Creative Arts to make people feel good about themselves
Autumn/Winter 2022 Newsletter
Life Stories from Strathearn
The GO Project
At Generating Opportunity CIC (GO), we believe that people who use support have the same rights as anyone else to lead a confident and happy life. The GO project started life as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2016. It was set up by former education and charity manager Linda Grant, who, with partner Ian, established the project in Lincolnshire and more recently developed its main base in Perth.
‘As someone working in lots of community-based training and wellbeing projects, the value of using the arts for self-expression and wellbeing became fundamental,’ says Linda. ‘This was particularly the case for clients who use support. So making the arts accessible is hugely important in promoting inclusion and just making people feel so much better about themselves. As a CIC, we have a volunteer Board of Directors, who collectively, have a broad range of governance skills and creative flair. We are so grateful for their expertise, support and commitment.’
‘Our clients include people who live in residential care or use support in their own homes and many of them have lived experience of Dementia, so we aim to ensure that the activities we offer are as accessible as possible. Some of our clients enjoy telling us stories and memories so we can compile their life stories or reminiscences on film or on sound recordings. Others work with us to collate ‘soundtracks’ to their life through developing audio playlists, which is a lovely thing to do and can be very helpful in stimulating memories and conversations. There are now lots of resources available to help people compile their playlists, thanks in no small part to the charity ‘Playlist For Life‘ and the ‘BBC Music Memories‘ and sound archives’.
‘We started working with Care Homes, creative wellbeing groups and individuals across Perth and Kinross during the Covid-19 pandemic, to offer a sense of hope and social connection through participation in arts and reminiscence activities. We celebrated their achievements with two arts exhibitions in Perth and Crieff at the end of 2021. Our work continues to develop, as we expand the scale and reach of our activities, including intergenerational work which connects young people to our clients, to their mutual benefit.’
Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations
Corgi with No Name
Chris White at Glencairn House
Please view our Brighter Days Ahead video here
Please view our collaborative Flip Book here.
Our Exhibition at The AK Bell Library
Our Team
Ian Grant
Ian, an experienced sound engineer and our ‘go-to’ person for all things technical, including film production.
Mark Lawe
Mark has worked in and managed rural businesses throughout his career and is a great source of advice.
Jean Jarvis,
Jean, as well as being a trained counsellor and a mindfulness coach, has extensive experience of supporting students with additional needs.
Julie Stubbs
Julie brings extensive skills in business development, project and service delivery and management as well as fundraising.
Janieann McCracken
Janieann is a media specialist and University lecturer in audio production.
Jan Holgate
Jan is a teacher, with a particular expertise in music production and performance and leading young choirs.
Anne Marie Barnett
Our newest team member is Anne Marie Barnett, a local artist volunteer. We crowned her our ‘Jubilee Ambassador’ ‘ as she supported many Care Homes to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with crafts and decorations and she continues to enrich our work with her creative ideas.