South West Arts & Music Project

A forward-thinking community development trust, registered charity and SQA-approved organisation that took a dilapidated building within the community and redeveloped it into a dynamic creative media centre. SWAMP uses accredited training, outreach, film, music, digital technologies, gardening and other creative arts to support local residents – especially young people – to enable social change.

The trust is proving that the arts, community involvement and provision of accredited training can be positive tools for change. SWAMP was one of the first organisations in Glasgow to use creative media, digital arts and new technologies as tools for community engagement, combining them with skills and learning, and later adopting the Curriculum for Excellence approach into its programmes.

By providing accredited training, SWAMP gives young people the skills they need to make the life transition from school to employment or further education. The trust also helps them to better understand their local environment, enjoy better health and quality of life, and engage in the process of lifelong learning and active citizenship.

Throughout the local area, SWAMP enhances cultural awareness, promotes social inclusion and builds community spirit – a practice it has sustained for over two decades.

Registered Scottish company and charity

1995 – Established by a group of local residents in Househillwood Road, Pollok, as a response to a lack of creative opportunities for young people in the area.

1996 – Became constituted and began delivering support for young people through the provision of basic creative and artistic classes from within the local community centre

1997 – Secured its own premises in Cardonald and gained charity and limited company status. Began developing an organisational structure to meet the needs of the communities it serves.

2000 – Premises unfortunately reclaimed as part of a local redevelopment. Begins delivering services from a building owned by a local development company whilst seeking alternative accommodation.

2001 – Secured a long-term lease on a large vacant building within North Pollok. Re-developed the building into a fit-for-purpose creative media centre, including an ITC suite, recording studios, state-of-the-art film studio with chroma key technology, meeting rooms, a fully-fitted catering area, and creative arts rooms.

2002 – Worked in partnership with the local regeneration company to design and deliver its first programme aimed at youth employability. Secured funding from the European Social Fund key fund strand, which allowed for the design and delivery of SWAMP’s first Life Skills programme. Later secured additional funding from stages two and three of the key fund due to the programme’s success.

2006 – Secured first contract with Scottish Enterprise to deliver the Get Ready for Work programme. Continued delivery of the Life Skills strand of Get Ready for Work as Skills Development Scotland came into existence. Engaged and worked with some of the hardest to reach young people, often achieving high retention rates and success standards.

2010s

2013 – Successfully secured contract to deliver stage two of the Employability Programme. Met all additional standards required by Skills Development Scotland and achieved SQA accreditation.

2015 – Developed new partnerships in other areas of Glasgow, as well as East and West Dunbartonshire. Increased workforce, developed session bank to include new creative staff, and became a provisional member of the Development Trust Association Scotland

2016 – Launched youth television station, YTV, after securing a Children in Need grant.

2017 – Transformed the derelict land at the front of the SWAMP building into the SWAMP Creative Garden.

2018 – Continued to develop accredited SQA courses and engage in a wide range of community activities. Began looking at expanding services by moving to a new, larger premises.

Board of Trustees who meet once a month

Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Clyde College, Glasgow Community Planning Partnership, Glasgow Housing Association

BBC Children in Need, Development Trusts Association Scotland, Living Wage Foundation, McTaggart Construction, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, People’s Health Trust, Prince’s Trust, Scottish Qualifications Authority, Skills Development Scotland, Southside Housing Association, The Scottish Government People and Communities Fund, Wheatley Group, Youth Scotland, and YouthLink Scotland

Centre at 1, Barnbeth Road

Accredited SQA Training

Delivers Stage 1, 2 and 3 accredited employability programmes for young people, in association with Skills Development Scotland.

Participants complete seven modules, working towards SCF level 3/4 qualifications in Personal Development and First Steps to Employment:

• Practical Abilities
• Self and Work
• Self and Community
• First Steps to Employment
• Responsibilities of Employment
• Dealing with Work Situations
• Building Employability Skills

SWAMP uses digital media technologies as tools to deliver the programme, promoting team-working, group responsibility, creativity and personal confidence, as well as learning practical techniques and transferable work skills. The participants form production teams and then utilise SWAMP’s green screen film studio, recording studio, IT, media suite and arts facilities to complete a news/entertainment TV show, health and safety radio advert, and their very own radio show.

Topics covered in the employability strand include:

• Mock Interviews
• CV Creation
• Roles and Responsibilities of Employment
• Application Forms
• Job Search
• College Applications
• Volunteering Opportunities

SWAMP Community Projects

Media Blast

This programme delivered on a Thursday evening and a Saturday afternoon provides opportunities for young people (aged 8-12) to participate in a range of creative activities including filmmaking, youth choir, radio broadcasting, music production, guitar lessons, sound recording, drama, dance, DJ-ing, and other creative arts.

YTV (Youth Television)

On Wednesday evenings, young people (aged 12-16) have the opportunity to learn about being producers, scriptwriters, directors, camera operators, sound producers, technical staff, animators, presenters and – most important of all – the owners of their very own TV station!

Young at Heart

On Friday afternoons, SWAMP’s seniors citizens’ group enjoys a range of activities, from film and music to arts and crafts. They learn new skills, socialise, and meet new people.

Creative Garden

The SWAMP Creative Garden is a vibrant and developing learning space, offering gardening training, a community learning opportunity, an event platform, and a communal area for the local residents to enjoy.

The SWAMP Community Hub and Creative Garden

Gained SQA accreditation to deliver training.

Became one of the first organisations in Glasgow to use creative media, digital arts and new technologies as tools for community engagement, combining them with skills and learning.

Re-developed a building into a fit-for-purpose creative media centre, including an ITC suite, recording studios, state-of-the-art film studio with chroma key technology, meeting rooms, a fully-fitted catering area, and creative arts rooms.

Launched youth television station, YTV

Transformed derelict land at the front of the SWAMP building into the SWAMP Creative Garden.

Sustainability: Although SWAMP strives to provide the best service they can, the lack of core support and investment remains the biggest challenge.

SWAMP can’t do everything on their own – effective partnership working is essential in developing communities.

Further develop the trust and establish a development hub that meets the needs of the community.