WHALE’s regular projects connect our community with creative opportunities and offer something for all ages and abilities. Check out what’s on for early years to adults, individuals, families and the whole community below. For events, check our calendar here.
Film Making Drop-In with Screen Education Edinburgh
Wester Hailes Library
Mondays 4-5.30pm
21 January – 25 March
S1-S6
FREE
Learn to use film-making equipment to create a drama, documentary or music video. Share stories and opinions and watch and discuss films at these Screen Education Edinburgh drop-ins.
Lyceum Youth Theatre: Discover
Wednesdays, 3.30-5pm
23 January – 27 March
Ages 10-14
FREE
Explore your dramatic skills with theatre professionals from the Lyceum Theatre. Please get in touch for more information and to register.
Starcatchers: Expecting Something
Thursdays, 10.30am-12.30pm
10 January – 21 March (no session 14 February)
Ages 0-2
FREE
Are you under 25 with a little one age 0-2 or expecting a baby soon? Come along to our favourite good vibes group to meet other young parents, babies and bumps, and try some artist-led creative activities with Starcatchers. Free lunch provided.
Street Arts
Thursdays, 4.45-7pm
24 January – 28 March
Ages 7-16
FREE
Come and find the Street Arts team out on the streets. Art, music, drama, dance, photography and more. Like our Street Arts WHALE Facebook page to find out more.
Find us at: Playparks at Westburn 4.45-5.15pm, Harvesters 5.25-5.55pm, Dumbeg 5.55-6.25pm, Barn Park 6.30-7pm
smARTies
Fridays, 2.15-3.45pm
18 January – 29 April (no session 15 February)
Ages 6-12
FREE
Come along & get creative at art club every Friday! Drop in session but you need to register to take part.
smART CRAFT
Mondays, 1-3pm
14 January – 25 March
£2 per session
A weekly visual arts and crafts group for adults with complex or additional support needs. The group explores creativity and expression with varied art materials, and is run by a professional artist and support worker.
*Spaces are limited. Please call or email to register for this group.
Stitch ‘n’ Time
Tuesdays, 1-3pm
15 January – 26 March
FREE
This sociable sewing and crafting class focuses on learning new skills and projects which help the local community. Come and share a cuppa!
*Spaces are limited. Please call or email to register for this group.
Working With Words in Wester Hailes
Through residencies with Scottish Poetry Library and Open Book we have a range of creative writing activities across the community. No writing experience needed.
Open Book Shared Reading Group
Wednesday 9 January, 13 February, 13 march
Health Agency, Green Reception, Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre
11.30-1pm
FREE
Shared reading and discussion sessions, with easy creative writing exercises
WHALE Poetry Group
Wednesday 23 January, 27 February, 27 March, 24 April, 22 May, 26 June
11.30-1pm
FREE
Read, write and share poetry and prose as part of a friendly and sociable group.
Room For Art
Thursdays, 12.30-2.30pm
10 January – 4 April
FREE
Free visual art workshops for health and well-being. No previous experience of art necessary! These sessions are by referral only, please contact Iona at Art in Healthcare on 0131 555 7638 or outreachmanager@artinhealthcare.org.uk.
Let’s Dance!
Thursdays, 6.30-8pm
24 January – 28 March (no session 14 February)
£4 per session
Relaxed and fun ceilidh dancing with expert tuition for adults. No previous experience required!
*Please call or email to register for this group.
NuStart
Fridays, 10.30am-1.30pm
11 January – 5 April
£4 per session, tea/coffee and biscuits 50p
NuStart are an enthusiastic group of amateur artists who meet to enjoy each other’s company, create works of art, and critique paintings.
*Please call or email to register for this group.
Mums into Business
Fridays, 10am-12pm
17 January – 8 March
FREE
An art, craft and social group, for mums who are interested in setting up their own businesses. We try a range of traditional and modern crafts; explore aspects of setting up and developing a business, with workshops from industry experts. Children under 3 are welcome to come too and we provide snacks, toys and simple activities.
Arty Party
The Arty Party was established as a registered charity in 1997 to promote and raise appreciation of all art forms for the benefit of the adult population of Wester Hailes and the surrounding districts, in particular for older people and those who are traditionally excluded from the arts through the barriers of income or physical inaccessibility.
Tasting Change Wester Hailes
Tasting Change is a multi agency partnership set up to tackle food insecurity and promote positive food and health opportunities in Wester Hailes. WHALE Arts will be working with CHAI, The Health Agency, SCOREscotland and Prospect Community Housing Association to deliver a range of workshops and events centred around creativity and food through the Create programme. Follow Tasting Change on Facebook.
Let’s CrEATe
Tuesdays, 10am-12.30pm
15 January – 5 March
Women only group
FREE
Let’s Create is an arts group for women with a focus on building confidence and self-esteem. We explore a range of creative techniques, invite guest artists to deliver workshops, discuss issues in a supportive environment and share a bowl of soup at the end of each session.
*Current waiting list – please call or email to register interest.
Foodness Community Meal
Fridays, 1-2pm
11 January – 29 March
Suitable for all ages (children must be accompanied by a guardian)
FREE
Come along for a delicious, healthy meal and spend time with people in your local community. In partnership with Broomhouse Change Kitchen, SCORE Scotland and Tasting Change, we use fresh produce grown, harvested and cooked by the local community.
Digital Sentinel
The Digital Sentinel is the community news site for Wester Hailes. Their content is created by staff and local residents who report news, opinion and events which is relevant to people living here. Any resident is able to submit and comment on content. If you would like to share a story or find out more about IT support services, contact the Community Reporter on digitalsentinel@whalearts.co.uk or 0131 458 3267.
Digital Sentinel Job Search and Online Benefit Applications Drop-In
Mondays 12-2pm @ Clovenstone Community Centre, 21 January – 1 April
Wednesdays 1-3pm @ WHALE Arts, 16 January – 3 April
FREE
Drop-in sessions offering support for job search websites and online benefit applications. Please note these drop-ins are not welfare advice sessions.
Digital Sentinel IT Hubs
Thursdays (alternating weekly between WHALE Arts and Clovenstone Community Centre – first week beginning 17 January will be at WHALE Arts)
17 January – 4 April
FREE
Free IT drop-in sessions. Learn basic IT skills, get help with your IT devices and find out how you could become more involved with your local news website, www.digitalsentinel.net.
WHALE Community Cinema was established in April 2016 as part of the Grow Your Own Cinema project. Screenings are free or low cost, and we always offer free refreshments to attendees. The cinema is a proud member of Film Hub Scotland.
