The Attic, a children and family charity, has been running for an incredible 20 years in Dundee, and is now based in, Kirkton, one of the most deprived areas in the whole country. The work done by The Attic is about responding to the needs of children and their families in Kirkton, through a programme of activities including clubs, camps, trips, and special events, as well as home visits and volunteer training. The aim of the community group is to promote the personal and social development of young people, reduce the isolation many people trapped in poverty experience, and help provide opportunities for them to meet, socialize and share experiences. The Community Lunch, Community Workshops, Wellbeing, Adult Literacy and Welfare Rights Drop-in, Home visits, family fun days, the volunteer training – have all proved to be very popular and helpful. Through the mutual sharing and helping, people gain the skills and confidence to make positive changes in their lives and help build a more resilient community.
Since being a finalist in the Groundwork Community Awards, The Attic have continued to run numerous different schemes for those in the community. They run both a kids club and a youth club for teenagers, offering those affected by poverty a safe place to thrive. They additionally offer camp places subsidised by 80%, which they believe to be vital for those most affected by poverty barriers as this provides them with a cohesive and stabilising influence. In addition, it provides a positive activity in lieu of the lure of crime and anti-social behaviour.
The small charity relies heavily on volunteering, but thanks to people being so
dedicated to the cause those that previous made use of the Kids Clubs and Youth
Clubs, now volunteer for the charity as they feel so passionately about the
importance of it.
The Attic has also engaged with a number of women and young girls through the new Tuesday Drop-In. Social isolation is a real issue for some in Kirkton, and this group, through their weekly meeting have learned new skills, (arts n crafts/knitting/crocheting) and improved their social and personal wellbeing.
Find out more: http://www.theattic.btck.co.uk/
