Celebrating with a baby rave in Fife’s outdoors, Starcatchers’ Where We Are project comes to an end with high hopes for the future

From dino-play to outdoor rhythms and messy music, Starcatchers’ Where We Are project became a fixture for many young families across Fife over the last year.

In partnership with Fife Gingerbread and supported by the Creative Scotland Youth Arts Targeted Fund, the pop-up play sessions focused on exploring accessible outdoor locations in four communities - Dunfermline, Cowdenbeath, Glenrothes and Leven - to address the ever-growing need for creative activities on offer to families with young babies from birth to 2 years in these areas.

The final sessions saw a baby rave tent pop up in the picturesque Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline areas, as well as family photographs and artworks gifted to participants to celebrate the close of the creative play project.

Delivered by Early Years Artists and Musicians, the sessions developed over the year in collaboration with participants to respond to the needs and interests of the babies and families that took part. The model of a travelling creative experience meant that travel and other barriers to access could be immediately addressed, ensuring ongoing engagement in the project.

Starcatchers will continue to deliver the sessions in partnership with Fife Gingerbread until the end of March, with the hope that their Fife-based community work can continue in the future.

Anna Downie, Starcatchers’ Community Engagement Manager said:

“Where We Are was a project that aimed to engage with families in the communities where they live and take place in areas that are easily accessible to them. For most, it was the first time any artistic activity had been provided that close by and as a result, there is demand to continue this work. We are delighted to be continuing these pop-up park play days in partnership with Fife Gingerbread until the end of March and hope we’ll be in a position to continue further down the line to grow the number of participants we can reach with this model of travelling sessions.”

Linsey Proctor of Fife Gingerbread said:

“The families that attended through Fife Gingerbread have enjoyed the Where We Are experience immensely- it has given parents and children the opportunity to explore areas of the arts that always seemed out of reach. Sharing fun experiences and learning new things together are what brings the joy into parenting, and our staff and our families loved being a part of the adventure!”

Where We Are is a creative initiative by Starcatchers, Imaginate and Lyra, encompassing a travelling ensemble, creative play, and participatory performance making, all co-designed with children and young people across Edinburgh, Glasgow and Fife. Supported by the Creative Scotland Youth Arts Targeted Fund, Where We Are recruited up to 17 artists, practitioners, and production staff to engage with refugee families, young mothers and babies and groups of children through a programme of inspirational artistic activity.

Where We Are is all about connecting with children and young people through performance making, creative arts and play as we begin to look towards life beyond the pandemic.

Where We Are sessions will continue in Cowdenbeath and Dunfermline until April 2022. Visit www.starcatchers.org.uk to find out more.