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Aiseirigh: Hear and Now is one of six community arts projects across Skye and Lochalsh, managed by SEALL and funded by Creative Scotland’s Culture Collective.

Hear and Now is a collaborative and creative model of storytelling that works with older people on the telephone. Many older people experience isolation within the community either as a result of the recent Covid pandemic or because of life experiences.

Sharing stories is not new but, for a generation of people who live across Skye and Lochalsh, how and where they share stories has changed and, for many, their stories are often no longer heard and they are often no longer seen.

As part of her work with Hear and Now, playwright Lesley Wilson, will provide training and mentoring to local artists and begin to develop a network of creative practitioners who can work with older people across the community in a meaningful, engaging and collaborative way, beyond the lifetime of the Culture Collective.

In order to build up this network of local artists, she will initially train a small group of three artists. Training will include empathic listening skills, creativity on the telephone, collaborative ways of telling and sharing stories, and safeguarding when working with vulnerable adults.

Collaboration and empowerment are at the heart of this work and will be a central focus of the training.

The first training course will take place on 27th and 28th June 2022, we are looking for three artists with a connection to Skye, Raasay or Lochalsh who have an interest in working with older people in the community in creative, collaborative and dynamic ways.

Training will be over two days followed by a three-month mentoring period.

Artists will be paid for both training and mentoring at £150 per day for a maximum of 12 days (including two days’ training).

The current artist involved in the project is a writer however, stories can be expressed in many ways and we welcome artists from any genre. The most important skill required is an ability to listen and engage with older people and their stories.

All interested parties please contact Ruari Gordon at SEALL on ruari@seall.co.uk or on (01471) 844207. Closing date for note of interest –12:00 on Monday 30th May

Aiseirigh | Iomairt an Eilein is one of six community arts projects across Skye and Lochalsh, managed by SEALL and funded by Creative Scotland’s Culture Collective. The project is led by Portree-based actor Daniel Cullen, alongside campaign group Iomairt an Eilein.

The project was established as a means of using community-led artistic practice to facilitate and highlight conversations around the various socio-economic issues brought to the fore by Iomairt an Eilein. Through a theatrical medium, Daniel hopes to offer a voice within these discussions to those who may traditionally feel excluded from such debates.

SEALL is seeking a freelance actor based in Skye, Raasay or Lochalsh to join Daniel’s team for a series of up to 12 theatrical performances and workshops to be held in the area throughout June and July with a number of local sports teams. The ideal candidate will have an interest in participatory community-led arts. Female, or those who identify as female, actors are particularly encouraged to apply.

The fee offered will be £200 per day, with each session taking roughly half a day (£100 per session, £1,200 in total).

For more information, or to register your interest, please contact Ruari Gordon at SEALL on ruari@seall.co.uk or telephone (01471) 844207.

Closing date for note of interest – 12:00 on Monday 30th May