WHATs ON ONLINE programme Jan - Mar 26

Adults

DROP-IN SESSIONS | 12 Jan - 3 Apr | FREE

DIGITAL SUPPORT DROP-IN | Mondays 1 - 3pm | WHALE Arts Tuesdays 1 - 3pm | The Health Agency Fridays 10am - 12pm | Clovenstone Community Centre A helping hand with all things digital. No need to book. No set curriculum, raise the topics you’re interested in! Equipment is provided but feel free to bring your own device.

OPEN STUDIO | Tuesdays 10am - 12.30pm & Thursdays 1.30 - 4.00pm Social and creative drop-in group for adults who want to work on their own projects.

What's on guide

Adults

ONGOING SESSIONS | 12 Jan - 3 Apr | FREE

Please contact us for more information as some of our ongoing sessions have waiting lists.

ARTCRAFT | Mondays | 2 groups, one in the morning and one in the afternoon Visual arts & crafts in a supportive, social group for adults with additional needs.

LET’S CREATE | Tuesdays 10am - 1pm An therapeutic art group for women struggling with their mental health. Creative activity and a shared meal.

Jan - Mar 2026

MAKERS CLUB | Wednesdays 10.30am - 1.45pm Friendly men’s group. This group is being reimagined and we are looking for new participants.

Get in touch to find out more. Activities followed by a shared meal.

ROOM FOR ART | Wednesdays (run by Art in Healthcare at WHALE Arts) Free visual art workshops for health & wellbeing. No previous experience of art necessary!

By referral only. Email admin@artinhealthcare.org.uk or call 0131 555 7638 for more info.

Community COORIE IN CAFÉ |Wednesdays 10am - 12pm at WHALE Arts Group coaching sessions with our wellbeing coach. Hot drinks and cake provided at the start. No need to book. 1-2-1 coaching also available, contact WHALE Arts for more info.

For adults living with long-term conditions, disabilities and mental health challenges.

COMMUNITY MEAL | Fridays 1pm - 2pm at WHALE Arts A free, delicious, healthy vegetarian meal. Sit-in or takeaway.

POD CAFÉ OPEN EVERY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY 10.30am - 2pm

info@whalearts.co.uk 0131 458 3267 whalearts.co.uk

WHALE Arts Agency is a company limited by guarantee (SC180118) with charitable status (SC020305)

Join us in our welcoming community café for tasty lunches, home-baked cakes, and coffee!

MEMBERS ACTIVITIES - includes meals, trips and coffee mornings To book or if you are interested in becoming a member email members@whalearts.co.uk.

LOCAL CINEMA NETWORK | Community cinema screenings across Edinburgh.

See website for full details | whalearts.co.uk/local-cinema Friday 20 Feb PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST WISH 2.30pm - 5pm Friday 20th Mar MIGRATION 2:30pm - 5pm

Young People & Families

DROP-IN SESSIONS | 12 Jan - 3 Apr | FREE

COMIC CLUB | Wednesdays 4pm - 6pm | Ages 12-16 A fun and creative club where you can learn how to write, draw and create your very own comics.

Or just relax and dive into our collection of comics!

No need to book, just drop in and sign up to join the club.

EXPECTING SOMETHING with Starcatchers at WHALE Arts | Thursdays 11am - 1pm, includes lunch Creative play for babies from birth to 2 and their grown-ups; followed by a home-cooked lunch.

Join us for a variety of activities and materials tailored to the needs and interests of the babies and their grown-ups. From sensory play and art projects, to music, movement and trips out. A great way to explore the world around us through play and meet other families in the community.

Text Kerry 07723 541 628 or email info@starcatchers.org.uk for info.

Extras for Spring Term BOLD BEGINNINGS | Wednesdays 9:30am - 11:30am | Starts 14th January For women in Wester Hailes. Have you thought about starting your own business?

Whether you’ve got an idea ready or not, it can be tricky to take the first step.

Delivered by Elevator UK, Bold Beginnings is a free, six-week programme to explore ideas, gain new skills and discover what’s possible.

Learn more and register here: elevatoruk.com/bold-beginnings. Alternatively, contact your local team: Daniela 07833 815 704 or Anna 07824 707 945.

Who we are

What we do

STREET ARTS | Thursdays 3pm - 5pm | Ages 7-16 Downstairs, inside the Westside Centre until Thursday 26th February

WHALE Arts is a community-led arts charity and social enterprise set up by local people in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh in 1992.

Our programme is co-created with our community and is designed for people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Street Arts Team have moved into the Westside Centre for the winter, where they will continue to bring a fun and an eclectic mix of art, drama, music and movement to the local community.

No need to book but we will need your details to take part.

Our Vision is to be the heart of a connected community, nurturing imagination, inclusion, and collective wellbeing.

SMARTIES ART CLUB | Fridays 1.30 - 3pm | Ages 6-12

Our Mission is to bring people together through creativity, offering opportunities for learning, inspiration, and meaningful connections in a welcoming and inclusive space.

It includes visual art, craft, making, performance, digital skills, therapeutic groups, community wealth-building and enterprise, sensory creative play, outreach activities, school holiday programmes, trips, shows, exhibitions, community meals and more.

Calling all young creatives aged 6 - 12! SmARTies, is our weekly art club - it's fun, it's creative, and it's free! Explore all sorts of visual art activities, from drawing, painting and sculpture, to animation, photography and textiles. Come along, make new friends, develop your artistic skills to inspire your imagination!

Sign up to join the club.

PLAY SENSE CREATE & EXPLORE ART Saturdays – contact us for more details on dates and booking your session Ages 5-10 (Play Sense Create) and Ages 11-16 (Explore) with Additional Support Needs/Disabilities Bespoke sessions planned by artists for children with any additional support needs. Sessions are all about creating a fun, creative and safe space, based on the children's likes and interests. Our aim is for the families to have fun and engage as much as they wish in our safe and playful environment.

Get in touch to find out more. Email: play-sense-create@whalearts.co.uk to book your place.

Pat Tait Exhibition Celebration

Exhibitions

Tuesday 24th February 1:30pm - 3pm Join us for a very special event to celebrate beautiful stitching work of Pat Tait before the exhibition closes. An afternoon of art, high teastyle refreshments and music!

Showcasing WHALE Arts groups and local community members, ongoing throughout the year.

Pop in or look out on socials for further information and details.

Volunteering Opportunities Events and acttivities happen throughout the year. Keep an eye out for details on how you can be involved.

How to find us On Foot: We are at 30 Westburn Grove, opposite the Scotmid off Westburn Avenue.

By Bus: 33 stops right next to us.

3, 18, 21, 30 - stop at Westside Plaza. Follow the route on the map. Walk until you reach Prospect Community Housing.

We are opposite on Westburn Grove.

By Train: Trains arrive at Wester Hailes train station. Follow the route on the map.

Parking: There is limited parking at WHALE. Accessible Parking is available.