Disbelief turns to anger at closure threat for ‘lifeline’ arts centre
Children in West Lothian will be losing a vital lifeline if a local arts centre is allowed to close, according to members of a popular local youth theatre fighting to keep the venue open.
Many young people first heard about the proposed closure of Livingston’s Howden Park Centre by phone – the ripple effect of messages buzzing through dozens of mobiles across West Lothian two weeks ago. For members of the Firefly Arts team – the youngsters as well as staff – there was a sense of disbelief.
That sense has now been matched by anger and frustration from parents who fear the closure of Howden Park, proposed by West Lothian Leisure, will mean the loss of a group which has been “a lifeline” for teens and children in the county.
Firefly’s professionallevel theatre space at the centre delivers performing and theatre-related skills to hundreds of teenagers and children. All are still trying to make sense of the decision.
“We were really disappointed that West Lothian Leisure hadn’t contacted us prior, considering that we are residents,” Firefly’s artistic director, Kirsty Byers said. “At Howden we work with hundreds of children and young people and we weren’t even given the heads-up. It’s something that was quite disappointing given the lives it could affect.”
One of Firefly’s keystones is its ability to provide a safe space with others where children and young people can learn a craft in professional way. Firefly offers workshops and opportunities for children and young people, along with other third sector organisations.
“For us not to be consulted was difficult to get to grips with. We work with vulnerable, marginalised young people who have somewhere to go. What we do is try to provide stability. It’s a lifeline,” said Kirsty.
Darcy Weatherby, a member for seven years who, at 16, now works as a young leader taking classes of children, said: “I’ve got friends who work at Xcite so I had heard earlier in the day. It was on a Wednesday which is usually the day that we come to Firefly. I am a young leader so I came early to do a workshop. Everyone was so stressed it was crazy, a scary day.”
Her mother, Rachel said: “As a parent we cannot thank people in Firefly enough. They have hugely impacted Darcey’s life.”
Another mother, Julie, said to staff members: “I cannot tell you how much of a difference this has made to my boy’s life. At one point I was really scared for him. He has just transformed.
This is the only thing he has got and he just loves it. He has gained so much more confidence. I can’t thank you enough. It takes young people out of isolation. It is hugely inclusive.”
Rachel is angry at the way Howden Park has been mismanaged. She admitted that she’d never see herself as a parent who would stand up in public and campaign but now, faced with the closure of such a valuable public space, she feels it is vital to fight for its future.
The teenagers scoff at the Leisure trust’s claim the building is underused. One, Amee Robertson, said there had been times she had spent up to 100 hours in one month working with Firefly. She too is passionate about what the group means.
“As soon as you walk out of a two-hour session you feel like you can do whatever you want,” Amee said. “After doing this for the last seven, eight years I feel I can do whatever because of the encouragement, positivity, optimism and quality that comes from this. It has just given me so much more confidence.”
Many in the group said that no matter how much time they spent at Firefly they would probably spend more time using the centre as a space to meet friends and hang out. A big complaint was that the café space is hardly ever open. Samantha said she often meets friends in the centre and would use the café, “but