Drumchapel Youth Theatre devasted by decision to axe vital funding

Brendon McIlroy, director of Halo Arts, was ‘devastated’ when he received an email on Thursday from the Drumchapel Area Partnership informing him that his funding application had been rejected.

The requested grant of £3,990 was intended to fund the Drumchapel Youth Theatre for another year, a much-loved youth group that helps kids aged six to 18 develop confidence and life skills.

Brendon McIlroy, artistic director of Halo arts, by Colin Mearns (Image: Brendon McIlroy, artistic director of Halo arts, by Colin Mearns)

The Youth Theatre, which is described as a “safe space” in the area for around 20 youngsters, some with additional support needs, has had to shut down with immediate effect.

The non-profit would usually have a backup funding plan, but the Youth Theatre is meant to start this week, Brendon says.

He added: “We really needed that funding and it was a shock not getting it.

“And just faced with the realities of having to go to all of these children and these parents to say that it’s over.”

Drumchapel Youth Theatre (Image: Drumchapel Youth Theatre)

The Drumchapel Area Partnership, which is made up of various community representatives and elected officials, has a budget of £84,175 for 2023/24.

Brendon understands that Halo Arts isn’t the only organisation desperate for funding but it hasn’t taken the sting out of the cut ‘when there are still tens of thousands of pounds in the pot’.

He said: “It’s just the finality of it and the lack of consideration for the impact this is going to have on people, vulnerable people who rely on the services.”

Many of the families that rely on the Youth Theatre have been severely impacted by the cost of living crisis and Brendon says it’s “reckless” to cut something for young people amid all the challenges they are facing.

Brendon said: “Areas like Drumchapel are a different kettle of fish. We can’t rely on people paying to come to these groups.

“Some people in these areas are choosing between heating and eating at the moment.”

A spokesperson for the council said that the budget was “oversubscribed” with funding applications and described the Youth Theatre funding application as “focused on running costs which is not part of the area budget’s criteria”.

The grant money requested for the Youth Theatre was intended to fund a six-month project, using drama to explore and challenge the prevalent issues of sectarianism, racism, and bigotry. The education pack Halo Arts created was included with the application.

In response to the question of why the organisation is relying on the grant funding, Brendon said: “We should be able to rely on our local area partnership to support the group.”

He added: “I suppose maybe it is a shortfall on our end that we didn’t diversify, but it’s not as if we haven’t for this group.

“We have tried various funding streams and we managed to very successfully have three terms covered by the National Lottery Fund, but at this day in age there just isn’t a lot of money out there for projects like this.

“It’s not as simple as saying don’t rely on us go elsewhere. We have. We’re coming to the council first because there’s nowhere else to go.”

Halo Arts is begging the council to reconsider their decision.

Brendon said: “We don’t make a profit. This is about these kids and it’s all about the impacts that this is going to have on families and the community.

Council spokeswoman said: “The area partnership budget was oversubscribed with applications for funding that far exceeded what is available and we know that organisations who have been unsuccessful will be disappointed.

“This organisation was funded last year and in considering the new application, the various community representatives that make up the area partnership, agreed that their application this year focused on running costs which is not part of the area budget’s criteria.

“Projects should focus on developmental ideas that will benefit and support the community.

“Feedback will be offered to organisations on their applications, and they will be signposted to Glasgow Council for Voluntary Services (GCVS) for advice on capacity building and other avenues of potential funding.”

The Glasgow Times has reached out to Cllr Paul Carey, Cllr Anne McTaggart, and Cllr Fyeza Ikhlaq for comment.