Circus skills are to be used to provide support for people struggling with mental health, alcohol and social issues in Aberdeen.
A trio of acrobats and performers has received funding from the Scottish Government to put on workshops in techniques such as juggling and the trapeze.
The three students were granted £2,000 each as part of this year’s Young Innovator’s Challenge and are now working hard to turn their winning proposal for a circus studio into a reality.
Led by circus performer Ritti Soncco, who has been practising the art of acrobatics, trapeze and Cirque Du Soleil-style aerial silks for the past seven years, the group’s new studio is in line for its grand opening on James Street in September.
Ms Soncco, who is in her second year of anthropology and Hispanic studies at Aberdeen University, said: “We wanted to open a circus studio in Aberdeen, because we don’t have a place of our own to train.
“So far we have just been running around different places, and when the weather is nice we usually practice by tying the trapeze and aerial silks to the trees outside the university.
“The Young Innovators Challenge was really interesting, we entered our idea into the health and social categories because of the therapeutic benefits of the circus. It’s amazing how much doing something like juggling or acrobatics can benefit someone with troubles such as depression or addiction, it’s something they can focus their energy on.
Ms Soncco continued: “After we’re well established, we are going to get in touch with a number of charity organisations around Aberdeen and tell them that we have this space, this developed programme, and we want to help.
“We will be giving out the classes for free to people put forward by these charities, I think it’s very beneficial.
“It’s a group that doesn’t judge you, no matter your body, your family history, or any of your problems, they just want to share a love of the circus.
“We want people to know that to be in a circus you don’t have to start it off from when you’re very little, you don’t have to be Russian or Chinese, anyone can develop a passion for it.
“It’s something that’s completely removed from a normal social environment, and something that I think can do a lot of good for a lot of people and bring joy into their life.”
To get in touch with the group e-mail invertedaberdeen@gmail.com.