Turning a vacant room in Municipal Buildings into an informal breakout room provided Falkirk High School pupils with a blank canvas to display their artwork.

Having been used as a storage room by Finance for a number of months, the team’s CANs took the initiative to turn the space into a place where staff could meet, relax and think.

After painting the walls and scouring local charity shops for bric-a-brac to brighten up the room, colleagues donated two sofas to make the area more comfortable.   

Gordon O’Connor, one of the CANs who helped transform the space at no cost to the Council, then approached his daughter’s high school to see if her art club could provide pictures to hang on the walls.

But instead, the school suggested asking its Higher Photography students to create work that would not only be displayed in the room but also be an integral part of their exam portfolio.

Gordon said: “The school was very enthusiastic. Ms Gilbert, the art teacher, took the class to various local landmarks to photograph in black and white. They created eight images that are now displayed in the room.

“The pupils were very excited, as they normally only see their work in A4 in their portfolio so seeing the photos blown up, framed and displayed was a real confidence boost for them. The photos have really brightened up the space and will hopefully help the pupils’ secure top marks in their Highers.”

He added: “It was a collective decision by the CANs to approach management to ask if we could transform the room, which is being well used by everyone. Because the room isn't bookable we’ve managed to keep it informal and that’s really struck a cord with people.

“The number of teams working in the ground floor area has increased over the past wee while, which has made it a really bustling place. Having the room has provided people with a place to head for some peace and quiet.

“Being a CAN gave us the confidence to ask to make this change and I think it would be great to have more of these breakout areas throughout the Council."

Want to find out more about being a CAN? Read the CANs' Charter and if you feel inspired drop an email to councilofthefuture@falkirk.gov.uk.

A CAN event will also take place on Friday, June 21st to provide information on the Council’s five-year business plan and the role CANs could play in helping change happen.

Pictured are Higher Photography students at Falkirk High School (left to right): Shannon Brown, Glen Graham, Ellis Mills, Andrew Forsyth. Sam MacLeod also contributed to the project but was absent on the day that the photo was taken.