Organisation

Creative Lives 

Location

Creative Lives has access to a co-working space at The Melting Pot in Edinburgh, however most team members work from home. We anticipate the intern spending most of their time working remotely (with regular check-ins with their mentor and other team members), using online technology to carry out interviews etc. and building in a few visits to the Scottish Borders for in-person meetings during the internship. 

Project

This research project would capture the positive impact local spaces for creativity can have on both individuals and communities – and the converse impact on people and places when no such space exists. In particular, how loneliness is increased by the absence of ‘third spaces’, and how mental and physical wellbeing can be boosted by opportunities to participate in creative activities with others in your local area. The project will have a particular focus on the Scottish Borders.

Outputs

To create a report documenting areas where local spaces for creativity have impacted on wellbeing and community cohesion, and helped combat loneliness. How these centres are run, who attends them, what they do there, and how they benefit from it. Similarly, how the absence or closure of such a space (or difficulty accessing it due to travel infrastructure or affordability) can lead to increased loneliness and isolation. 

We would also like the intern to host an online ‘learning and sharing’ session with Creative Lives staff and board, with the potential for a similar event open to the public.  

Timescale

Starting anytime from April 2024 onwards until whatever end date suits the intern.  

We have hosted two previous SGSAH internships, one was part-time over six months, the other full-time over three months. We are open to either of these options – or a different structure, depending on whatever suits the intern. 

Benefits to the Researcher

This internship would suit somebody with an interest in creative participation and the role it can play in fostering both individual wellbeing and community cohesion.  

The internship will involve researching current spaces and activity, interviewing the people responsible for such venues and the local participants using them, liaising with local arts trust Live Borders, presenting findings in an accessible and engaging manner, and hosting an online event to enthuse others about the value of such spaces.  

All of which will require a range of existing skills, which can be refined and honed during the internship, with support from the mentor and other staff and board members across Creative Lives. 

Key Relationships

As well as working closely with staff and board across Creative Lives (all of whom have a range of skills and expertise), the intern will liaise with Live Borders (the local arts trust in the Scottish Borders) and other arts/creative organisations in the area, as well as local grassroots creative groups and individuals, venue managers and staff. There may also be scope for attending conferences and workshops (usually online) on pertinent subject matters. 

Person Specification

Tick the areas below indicating the skills, experience and personal qualities that are required for this placement, specifying which are essential (E) and which are desirable (D). 

Click here to apply

First published: 4 October 2023