About Us

Welcome to CRASP – a Creative Transitional Space.

CRASP began in 2024 as a pilot project at the University of Edinburgh, where it ran for four months as a dedicated haven for students. The idea was simple yet powerful: to provide a space where play, creativity, and connection could flourish beyond the pressures of productivity and performance. The response was overwhelmingly positive - students loved it.

Now, CRASP is opening its doors to the wider community. Based in the heart of The Shore in Edinburgh, and as part of Reconnect Scotland, CRASP offers a creative, open, and accepting space for anyone who wants to unwind, experiment, and connect with others through arts, crafts, and playful exploration.

Our Mission

We believe play is not just for children. Adults play too - through games, sports, crafts, and everyday moments of imagination. Yet, play often hides in the margins of adult life, squeezed out by the demands of work and routine. CRASP challenges this by creating a space where play is celebrated as a vital part of wellbeing.

At CRASP, creativity is not about achieving perfection or producing art for display. It’s about curiosity, experimentation, and giving yourself permission to enjoy the process.

How it Works

There are no teachers here - only helpers, who are ready to create alongside you. Whether you arrive with a project in mind or no idea at all, you’ll find:

• Project booklets, colour-coded to suit different time frames, offering inspiration and simple techniques.

• Helpers on hand to guide you if you get stuck.

• A welcoming community of people exploring creativity at their own pace.

In its opening months, CRASP focuses on arts and crafts - painting, clay, beads, crochet, and more - but at its heart, it is a playful community space. A place where stress takes a back seat, and creativity takes centre stage.