A SOCIAL enterprise in West Dunbartonshire has received new funding to support the local creative community through the coronavirus pandemic.

Lodestone Creative is set to expand its ‘Made in West Dunbartonshire’ network with help from the National Lottery through Creative Scotland’s Create: Networks fund.

Lodestone Creative supports the growth of creative and cultural activity by encouraging people to try creative workshops and learn new skills through their dedicated arts programme.

The network will include a wide range of creative practitioners and enterprises working across the creative industries in the area.

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Jain McIntyre from Lodestone Creative said: “Our programme will help new and established makers and artists in West Dunbartonshire adapt to restrictions put in place by Covid-19.

“We are a resilient bunch and we are looking forward to supporting the creative community by getting Made in West Dunbartonshire makers better recognised, and our artists collective up and running, over the coming 12 months.”

There are plans to establish and develop connections across the creative sector will be accompanied by specialist mentoring and training programmes aiding financial resilience for businesses.

Jessica Bonehill, creative industries officer at Creative Scotland, said: “In these challenging times, it’s more important than ever that support for creative businesses is tailored according to the needs of local sectors.

“These newly strengthened local networks will allow creative enterprises and practitioners to access specialist advice and support, and we hope this will prove valuable for creative businesses through the difficult months to come.”

This initiative is one of several creative business support networks being developed across the country as a result of the Create:Networks initiative.

More information on the scheme is available on the Creative Scotland website.