Transforming Lives Through Creative Learning
A Dundee charity is charting new paths by becoming an official SQA-accredited learning centre, opening up new ways to gain skills, confidence and formal qualifications in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Front Lounge – which is celebrating its 24th anniversary – exists to empower people from disadvantaged backgrounds to fulfil their potential. Its work supports school refusers, young parents, people facing mental health challenges, and anyone at a crossroads in life.
Since 2020, the Hilltown-based charity has delivered the SQA-accredited Kindred Clothing (Garment Construction) Award, at SCQF Level 5 and worth 30 credits, delivered by a group of local businesspeople turned tutors, forming the Clothes Making Learning Partnership. To date, 71 learners aged 12 to 64 have completed the qualification, including 17 who graduated in September 2025.
Now, Front Lounge has secured formal approval as an SQA learning centre. This means the charity can deliver and assess nationally recognised qualifications that feed directly into the surrounding economy in-house – without relying on external training providers – and offer them free of charge to learners across Scotland at launch. With an initial target of 40 hard-to-reach learners each year, Front Lounge aims to engage up to 200 potential new learners annually through an out-of-school hours and holiday programme.
Today, five graduates of the Kindred Clothing programme began their first day in the new National Certificate in Creative Industries (Fashion and Textiles) at SCQF Level 6. This next step will see them progress from domestic to industrial sewing machines while building connections with local fashion businesses and makers.
From early 2026, the charity will once again be offering the Kindred Clothing (Garment Construction) Award (SCQF Level 5) and, hopefully later on in the year, will deliver this alongside the five Workplace Core Skills qualifications, comprising Numeracy, Literacy, Information and Communication Technology, Problem Solving and Working with Others, also at SCQF Level 5.
As Project Leader Chika Inatimi explained, the need to deliver education differently has never been greater – “Right now, in Scotland, over 30% of children are persistently absent from school*. While the reasons for this are complex and wide-ranging, for many, mainstream education just isn’t working for them.
“By becoming an SQA learning centre, we can offer a responsive, skills-based curriculum to people of all ages – helping them learn without the pressure of high-stakes exams. Our assessors track progress continuously, so learners gain qualifications that genuinely reflect their ability. While we’re supporting those who don’t or didn’t succeed in mainstream education settings, these individuals have a clear ambition and ability to do so.
“With a clear pathway to progress onto future qualifications and avoiding exams where possible, they’ll learn through doing in small group settings. Our assessors track progress continuously, so learners gain qualifications that genuinely reflect their ability. By doing so, we will give those who are furthest away from education a chance to learn new skills, gain qualifications and celebrate their progress, building confidence, a sense of purpose and aspirations to what might follow, whether attending college, finding work or even attending university.”
Amy Deans is a third year Master of Arts student in Community Development and Youth Work and a Kindred Clothing graduate, who is now working towards the new NC in Creative Industries. She said, “Last year, I had a realisation that the fastest and most effective way to grow is to achieve as many qualifications as I can. Although fashion may not necessarily be where I want to go the transferable skills from doing something like this are going to hugely beneficial. I am also a qualified assessor, so doing this course is going to be invaluable for my knowledge in terms of how best to support those on the course as it will give me a firsthand insight into understanding the journey that learners will be going through themselves.”
Becky Rawlins, currently a student at Dundee and Angus College on the HNC Fashion Business course, will also be on the inaugural NC in Creative Industries course, adding, “I’m excited to start this course because I want to develop my technical skills and creative abilities to a professional level. Sewing has always been a passion of mine and I really enjoy making clothes and working with different types of fabrics. I can’t wait to expand my knowledge using an industrial sewing machine.”
While courses will initially run in small daytime and evening groups from the Hilltown base, Front Lounge plans to expand its model remotely – already piloted successfully in Orkney – so learners across Scotland and even England can participate. As is happening in Orkney, local partners would provide hands-on support on the ground, such as securing premises, funding equipment like sewing machines, and helping recruit learners. Interest is already coming from community groups, schools and prisons.
Chika added, “But it’s not just about qualifications. Front Lounge has always been a community. Learners get practical help with CVs, job searches, housing and financial advice. They join a supportive network where people believe in them – often for the first time.”
Courses are open to secondary school pupils and adults and are completely free of charge.
For more information, email learn@frontlounge.org, phone 01382 220330, or message Front Lounge via social media.
ENDS
All pics credit Grant Keelan, PPG Photography