This week is Challenge Poverty Week, a time to reflect on what poverty really means and what it looks like in our communities. For many, poverty is defined by financial struggles – putting food on the table, paying the bills, or keeping warm in the winter. These are real and pressing issues, but here at CentreStage, we also see another side of poverty. It’s not just about what people don’t have, it’s about what they lose along the way: connection, aspiration, and the sense of belonging that gives life meaning.

When we took on the former Kilmarnock Academy, our goal wasn’t to expand what we had at James Little Street, but to build a place where labels are left at the door, and people can walk in knowing they will be welcomed exactly as they are. We don’t provide a service; we provide the support and tools for people to find what they need. Every cup of coffee enjoyed in our café, every ticket to a show, every class someone attends helps sustain that approach. These moments of connection and vulnerability help us reach people in ways that traditional support systems often can’t.

The CentreStage Village is now at current capacity and home to more than 25 organisations, all working together to strengthen our community. Our neighbours play a vital role. CHAP provides free and confidential advice on housing, debt and welfare rights, giving people the security they need to move forward. Flexible Childcare Services Scotland gives parents the opportunity to work or study knowing their children are cared for. Beautiful Inside & Out provides a lifeline for young people, helping them to find confidence and self-worth. MCR Pathways extends the privilege of aspiration to young people of all backgrounds. Barclays Local helps people stay connected and build digital and financial skills for the future.

By bringing all of this under one roof, we make it easier for people to find what they need, when they need it. Someone might arrive for a bite to eat and leave with support for a housing issue, a new friend, or a sense of direction. It’s this kind of connection that helps people rediscover their strengths and potential.

At CentreStage, we believe tackling poverty is about more than meeting immediate needs. It’s about unlocking opportunities. It’s about giving people the chance to feel part of something bigger, to learn, to share, and to dream again. We see every day how the arts can lift people out of isolation, build self-belief and spark new beginnings.

Challenge Poverty Week is a reminder that poverty is not just about money. It’s about people. When we invest in communities that bring people together, we create the conditions for change that lasts. At CentreStage, we’re proud to be part of that change. Because when people have a place to belong, they start to believe in themselves again.

Find Out How You Can Help.