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.
Mondays, 3.45-4.45pm
1 April – 13 May
Girls aged 7 – 12
FREE
This exciting new girls group will focus on topics such as healthy eating, positive well-being and combating stereotypes. In partnership with EPIC Assist Charity Scotland.
Indian Dance Sessions and Performance
Monday 06, 20 & 31 May
2-4pm
Sat 1st June – show at Festival Theatre. Performance starts 7pm.
Ages 10-14
FREE
We are creating a dance show to perform on the main stage of the Festival Theatre as part of the 25th Birthday celebration show! Come and learn some moves and help design the colours, ideas, costumes, choreography and more for our performance.
Lyceum Youth Theatre: Discover
Wednesdays, 3.30-5pm
01 May – 19 June
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
25 April – 13 June
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
25 April – 27 June
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, Calders 5.20-5.50pm, Dumbeg 5.55-6.25pm, Quarry Bank 6.30-7pm.
Play Sense Create
Selected Fridays and Saturdays
Saturdays: 20 April, 18 May, 15 June
Fridays: 26 April through to 21 June (Excluding 17 May & 14 June)
FREE
Ages 5-11 with Additional Support
Multi-arts project for primary aged young people with Additional Support Needs/Disabilities and their families. Featuring dance, music, art, drama and more!
smARTies
Fridays, 2.15-3.45pm
26 April – 21 June
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
22 April – 24 June
£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
23 April – 25 June
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 10 April, 08 May, 12 June
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 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
25 April – 27 June
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.
NuStart
Fridays, 10.30am-1.30pm
26 April – 28 June
£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
26 April – 21 June
FREE
Mums Into Business is a group for women who are interested in setting up their own business. Please get in touch for more information: call us on 0131 458 3267 or email us at info@whalearts.co.uk
WHALE Community Garden
Mondays and Fridays, 10am – 2pm
8 April – 28 June
FREE
Come along and get your hands dirty with the WHALE Community Gardeners. No need to book but if you are new please call or email ahead to double check our volunteers are available.
Foodness Community Meal
Fridays, 1-2pm
26 April – 28 June (excluding 31 May)
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 and SCOREscotland. 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, 1 April – 24 June
Wednesdays 1-3pm @ WHALE Arts, 3 April – 26 June
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 10.30am – 12.30pm (alternating weekly between WHALE Arts and Clovenstone Community Centre – first week beginning 11 April will be at WHALE Arts)
11 April – 27 June
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.
