Almond Housing Association has made a £2,000 donation to a community drama project in Ladywell involving the high school, primary school and nursery as well as community organisations in the area.

The project will run two after-school performance groups (P6-P7 and S1 to S2) to explore issues of well-being, empathy and community cohesion. Both groups will also work with younger and older members of their local community to source additional material.

Led by experienced drama and film practitioners from the company Firefly Arts, participants will develop drama, film and sound tech skills to devise a public performance that weaves together intergenerational views, experience, aspiration and commonality.

Julie-Anne Waddell, business education teacher at West Lothian Council, said: “The young people in Ladywell expressed an interest in having access to a drama group. This project will give them the opportunity to be involved in an arts activity, enhancing their confidence and aspiration as well as developing social, communication and creative skills. The inter-generational aspect makes this an exciting project for the whole community.”

George Webster, chief executive at Almond, added: “Almond Housing Association is delighted to support this excellent initiative. The impetus for this project has come from young people in our community and is a fantastic way of introducing them to the dramatic arts where they will learn valuable skills and even more importantly be helped to develop as individuals. We wish all concerned every success in this venture and look forward to seeing the performance in due course.”