The Merchants House of Glasgow is delighted to support Create Paisley with a grant of £4,250, helping the organisation provide creative drop-in sessions that promote positive mental health and wellbeing for disadvantaged young people in Paisley.

The funding will support a programme of weekly sessions that use the arts- including visual arts, crafts, music and creative writing- as accessible and engaging tools for self-expression, confidence-building and personal development. Through creative activities, young people are encouraged to explore their emotions, develop social skills and recognise their strengths in a supportive and welcoming environment.

Many young people who attend Create Paisley’s sessions face significant challenges and have shared that CREATE is the only place where they feel safe, accepted and able to be themselves. By offering a consistent space where participants are seen, heard and supported, the project plays a vital role in prevention and early intervention, helping to address issues before they escalate.

The sessions are co-designed with participants, ensuring that young people have a genuine voice in shaping activities, themes and creative projects. This approach encourages ownership, builds confidence and develops leadership skills, while also creating opportunities for young people to contribute to youth-led events and community campaigns.

Over the course of the year, Create Paisley expects to engage between 80 and 100 young people, generating more than 500 attendances and providing meaningful opportunities for connection, creativity and personal growth.

A representative from Create Paisley said:

“Everyone at Create Paisley is thrilled and delighted about the funding award from The Merchants House of Glasgow. It will make a huge difference to our work in 2026, making possible next year 42 creative drop-in sessions for disadvantaged young people in Paisley, providing free, positive, and creative experiences that support young people’s mental health and wellbeing. A big, big thank you!”

About Create Paisley

Create Paisley is a community-based organisation that uses creativity and the arts to support the wellbeing, confidence and development of young people. Through inclusive, youth-centred programmes, the organisation provides safe spaces where young people can build relationships, express themselves, develop new skills and access support when they need it most. By combining creativity with early intervention and community engagement, Create Paisley helps young people build resilience and realise their potential.

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