Linking city art lovers

Artlink’s Arts Access service has been running for over 35 years, helping people who need support to go out to arts events with a volunteer driver/companion.

The great thing about Artlink’s Arts Access (AAA) service is its variety and flexibility. Its

200 clients range in age from their early 20s to over 100.

People live in many different situations, some with families, some alone, others in supported accommodation, care homes, and hospitals. Over 100 volunteers come from all walks of life, from artists and archaeologists to physiotherapists, doctors and IT specialists. What unites them all is a love of going out together, and enjoying all kinds of arts events, including live performances, cultural talks, musicals, exhibitions, concerts and films.

Covid-19 has been difficult for Arts Access. Theatres and venues have been closed, and performances have been cancelled and rescheduled far into 2021. Many clients are shielding, or have health conditions which make them particularly vulnerable, and others require physical support - perhaps an arm for guiding or balance - which social distancing guidelines prohibits.

While online cultural content has blossomed, many of the people AAA work with don’t have internet access.

Working with the Scottish Storytelling Centre this summer, AAA arranged socially distanced storytelling events. Storytellers were matched to people based on their interests and experiences, and they travelled to Sweden and Kenya while dodging the drizzle in their Edinburgh gardens. Being together, and having this face to face contact was so cheering and positive, that they are planning to offer more of these sessions during the Scottish International Storytelling Festival in October.

Volunteers have been staying in touch with clients with regular phone calls, maintaining relationships which have been nurtured over the years. The group want to try to harness this resource of goodwill and communication, and plan to gather stories about past outings, and what Arts Access means to people. It is hoped that collating these stories will highlight the importance and longevity of the project, and help people to feel optimistic about what the future will bring.

artlinkedinburgh.co.uk