Fab Pad is the biggest of Impact Art’s programmes. It’s a part-time Interior Design programme for 16 – 25 year olds, providing young people in their first tenancy or at risk of homelessness the opportunity to decorate their home and make it their own.

Young Scot talked to one participant on the Fab Pad project in Edinburgh to find out more about what happens and how to get involved. 

Case Study 

Name: Adam Kaid, Age: 22  

What have you been doing with Fab Pad?
I have been coming in to work with Fab Pad for 4 hours a week for about 6 or 7 months. You come in and design what kind of things you want for your own home. In 6 – 7 months I have done my whole living room , the furniture, the pictures and made two tables. There is always something to do and if you don’t have a good imagination you can look through the magazines and pictures here.  There are different options and different routes you can take through the project.

What has been your highlight of the project?
You just get on with your work and never realise what you have achieved until you look back, and it makes you feel proud. When people come round to your house they ask who made the furniture and they won’t believe that you have made it, because of the quality of it. People have even tried to buy it off me. I never ever thought that I was artistic and was never involved in arts before, but now I have found a whole artistic side that I never knew that I had.

The staff here at Impact Arts are not just here for the arts but will help out if there is anything troubling you. Like help you fill in applications and prepare for interviews or just give you 5 -10 minutes for a wee chat. They are always open and there to help. If they can’t help themselves they will send you to people that can.

Any lows on the project? Any bits you didn’t enjoy?
When I first joined I was easily distracted, bored and things were taking a while to get done. Now I am learning to concentrate more and getting things finished. We are only here for 4 hours a week and trying to do as much as possible in the time. If is different from a normal classroom where you’re bored and watching the clock all the time, here it’s all about how long you can stay extra.

How did you get on to the project?
I was doing some volunteering work and Jay came along to talk to us about the Impact Arts projects. I filled in an application form and got on the project.

Any ideas what you would you like to do after the project?
I think I will have about 3 – 5 months more on the project. But it depends how determined you are, everything is there for you, but it is up to you. I have applied to go back to college to do NC Social Care in August – September. Fingers crossed I finish the flat by then.

Find out more

Learn about other projects by Impact Arts here.

If you are interested in taking part in the Fab Pad project you can get in touch with Impact Arts on fabpad@impactarts.co.uk, 0141 575 3001.