Starcatchers Launch Crowdfunder Appeal for Family Sessions

Starcatchers Launch Crowdfunder

Popular free creative play sessions, Starcatchers’ Saturdays, have provided a space for fun, rest, play and community for families in Wester Hailes since Oct 2022. Now, the team have launched a Crowdfunder campaign to support the popular sessions, joining other shortlisted projects as part of Creative Scotland’s Crowdmatch initiative, which sees Creative Scotland doubling every donation gifted before the campaign’s end date.  

An initiative of Starcatchers— Scotland’s Arts and Early Years organisation—Starcatchers’ Saturdays addressed a need voiced by Wester Hailes’ families for a weekend-based creative play space. Holding sessions at the weekend allows whole families to come along and spend quality creative time together, getting inspired by artists and by each other. The free sessions—which include a home-made community lunch— are delivered by Starcatchers artists at the Community Wellbeing Collective Shop Space in Westside Plaza, and are open to all children aged 0-5 and their grown-ups who live in and around Wester Hailes.  

The Starcatchers’ Saturdays Crowdfunding campaign has been launched to make sure that these fun and valuable sessions remain free for families– especially as the cost of living crisis continues to force many to tighten their belts. Part of Creative Scotland’s Crowdmatch project, the Starcatchers’ Saturdays Crowfunder will see every donation made before 21 April matched by Creative Scotland. The team are hoping to raise £4000 to go towards the core costs of running the group.  

As well as providing much needed time for relaxation, play and self-expression, arts and creativity for 0-5s and their adults supports positive wellbeing, strong relationships, and help give children the best start in life. Babies and children involved develop greater socialisation and stimulation which in turns helps physical, cognitive social and emotional development, and adults can benefit from increased confidence, wellbeing and development through successful engagement with and participation in creative activities.  

Of the value of the Starcatchers Saturdays group, a participant said:  

There’s nowhere else that I feel I can bring my 4 year old who is autistic along with my 5 month old baby. When we go elsewhere people look at him and get cross at me because of his behaviour. But here we feel welcome and they both love it.’

Rhona Matheson, Starcatchers’ Chief Executive said: 

Along with our Expecting Something group based at WHALE Arts, Starcatchers Saturdays is a cornerstone of our work out and about in Wester Hailes. With everyone feeling the squeeze right now, and so many reasons to feel unsure, it’s more important than ever that opportunities like Starcatchers’ Saturdays—that let whole families get creative, relax and enjoy time together—remain free and accessible. Supporting our Crowdfunder will help achieve this for families in and around Wester Hailes.

The Starcatchers’ Saturdays crowdfunder campaign will run from Monday 20 March to Friday 21 April, 2023. Every donation made will be matched by Creative Scotland, and all money raised will go directly to the core costs of running the group.  

To give, please visit the Starcatchers’ Saturdays Crowdfunder page: http://crowdfunder.co.uk/p/starcatchers-saturdays.  

Starcatchers Saturdays sessions continue weekly at Westside Plaza, Wester Hailes every Saturday 12 noon-1.30pm. All are welcome to drop in. 

Keep up to date with news on Starcatchers’ Saturdays by following @starcatchersuk on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 

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