Case Study: Arts Boost 4

Introduction

Now in its fourth year, Arts Boost 4 supports young people in West Wales who are known to CAMHS through creative, artist led mixed media sessions. Delivered by Hywel Dda UHB’s Arts and Health Team in partnership with Span Arts, People Speak Up and Small World Theatre, the programme was developed in response to rising mental health needs. It provides safe creative spaces to reduce distress, build coping skills and strengthen wellbeing across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion.

The Challenge

Arts Boost was developed in response to rising mental health difficulties among children and young people in West Wales and the increasing numbers seeking support through CAMHS. Growing evidence shows that creative arts can improve wellbeing, reduce distress and help develop coping skills. Hywel Dda UHB and its arts partners created the programme to provide safe, artist led sessions that offer alternative pathways for expression, recovery and resilience, addressing a clear and urgent mental health need.

The Approach

Arts Boost delivered a programme of artist led, mixed media creative sessions called Creative Freestyling for young people (teenage stage) supported by CAMHS in West Wales. The work was co delivered by Hywel Dda UHB’s Arts and Health Team with Span Arts, People Speak Up and Small World Theatre across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. Sessions began in 2022 as part of the national Arts and Mind programme. This case study focuses on Arts Boost 4, in which we piloted a new Supportive Patient Pathway that strengthened engagement and resulted in increased take up from young people. The programme used experienced artists to create safe, supported environments enabling emotional expression, resilience building and coping strategies. Its model reflected good practice in arts and health delivery, incorporating co production with health services and ongoing feedback from young participants to refine the approach. "Everyone is respected and nobody feels left out"

The Impact

Arts Boost 4 demonstrated clear improvements in engagement and wellbeing through its enhanced Supportive Patient Pathway. The project saw a higher referral rate and improved attendance, indicating stronger uptake from young people. Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) showed positive Goal Based Outcomes, with all 20 self set goals increasing in attainment. Themes included strengthened social connectivity, greater feelings of inclusion, and using art as a means of self expression and improved wellbeing. Patient Reported Experience Measures (PREMs), using the national creative wellbeing tool, showed that 77% of young people reported a positive change in wellbeing, with significant increases in feelings of communication and connectedness. 100% of participants reported learning a new skill, intending to continue creative activity, and said they would recommend the group to a friend. These results demonstrate both intended outcomes—enhanced emotional coping, resilience, and wellbeing—and wider benefits such as strengthened social confidence and lasting motivation to engage creatively, self expression and empowerment.

Lessons Learned

Delivering Arts Boost 4 showed that a clearer, more supportive patient pathway led to higher referrals and better attendance. PROMs and PREMs confirmed strong wellbeing gains, highlighting the value of structured goal setting and consistent creative engagement. We learned that increased communication, social connection and skill building strengthened outcomes. This learning will guide future pathway design and artist support to further enhance engagement and impact.

The Legacy

Arts Boost 4 leaves a strong legacy of improved wellbeing, confidence and social connection. With higher referrals, better attendance and strong PROMs/PREMs outcomes, the strengthened pathway provides a sustainable model for future delivery. Young people’s continued creativity, skill building and willingness to recommend the group show lasting impact and a foundation for scaling the approach across services.

Website and Social Media Links

Arts Boost 4 Evaluation Report Evaluation Publications - TriTech Institute Arts boost - Hywel Dda University Health Board The arts in health programme helping transform the wellbeing of young people in West Wales | Arts Council of Wales

Contact Details

Kathryn.lambert@wales.nhs.uk

Tags: CAMHS, mental health service users, children and young people, artist led workshops, creative arts, West Wales, Hywel Dda UHB, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, creative coping skills, social connection, wellbeing outcomes, arts in health, community arts, therapeutic arts

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