Youth charity co-founded by Abertay lecturer receives grant funding from Royal Bank of Scotland

Comics Youth SCIO empowers young people in Dundee through creative arts initiatives

A Dundee-based charity co-founded by a lecturer at Abertay University has secured funding from the Royal Bank of Scotland to continue its essential work supporting disadvantaged young people.

Established by Dr Hailey J Austin - a lecturer in Abertay’s Department of Games and Arts - Comics Youth SCIO is committed to empowering young people through creative projects, including comics-based literacy initiatives and arts education.

The organisation conducts various workshops in community spaces and collaborates with various organisations throughout the city. Its diverse range of programmes is designed to inspire young people to take ownership of their narratives, fostering resilience, mental wellbeing, and literacy through the art of comic-making.

The £20,000 grant comes from the Royal Bank of Scotland Foundation’s Energise funding programme, which is dedicated to supporting charities across Scotland that uplift local communities.

The funding will enable Comics Youth to continue offering creative comic-making workshops in Dundee, empowering disadvantaged young people aged 8-25 to unleash their creative potential through comics.

Dr Hailey J Austin said:

We are incredibly happy to receive this funding, which will enable our organisation to continue bringing arts education to underserved communities in Dundee. It’s also an investment in the future of Dundee and Scotland’s creative industries. Part of my research has shown that young people with early access to comics or games are more likely to pursue careers in these industries.

Dr Austin's involvement with the charity is informed by her research at Abertay, which highlights the importance of providing young people access to comics and games. Throughout her career, she has authored comic scripts for well-known DC Thomson titles, including "Commando," "Oor Wullie," and "Wee Harry."

Donald MacKechnie, Chair of the Bank of Scotland Foundation’s Board of Trustees, said:

We are delighted to award Comics Youth SCIO £20,000 in funding. The cost-of-living crisis has left many charities grappling with rising costs, just as demand for their services is at an all-time high. Our grant will help charities like Comics Youth SCIO navigate the challenging months ahead.

The charity's inaugural project, "Building Stories: A Summer of Comics," was a free, two-week comics summer school developed in collaboration with The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum, generously funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

This summer school catered to two age groups—8 to 13 and 14 to 18—allowing each group to immerse themselves in the world of comics for an entire week. Each day focused on different aspects of storytelling and character creation, with participants collaborating on group comics. They also toured the galleries, gathering inspiration to fill their sketchbooks.

Recently, over the October holidays, the charity hosted more sold-out comics workshop in partnership with The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum.

For more information on Comics Youth SCIO’s current and upcoming projects, visit their website and sign up for their newsletter.