Case Study: Breathing Space Ignite – TANIO
Authors(s), Creator(s) and Contributors: Tom Stupple - Programme Manger for Arts & Health and Special Projects
Publication Date: 30/04/2026
Categories: Case Studies
Partner(s): Mental Health Matters Wales, Awen Cultural Trust, Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, Taf Ely Primary Care Cluster
Funder(s): Arts Council Wales, Bridgend Borough County Council, Taf Ely Primary Care Cluster, Postcode Community Trust, Awen Cultural Trust
Introduction
Breathing Space Ignite (BSI) was a program of imbedded community arts activity, to improve the lives of adults who may be lonely, isolated and facing mental health challenges. Delivered by Tanio in community settings, BSI ran 7 creative session a week from September 2024 to March 2026. Working in areas that are geographically isolated, socioeconomically deprived, and where residents face many healthcare inequalities, including lack of access to preventative mental health and wellbeing support. These creative community groups put high-quality artist led work at the heart of participants journey to recovery. These weekly open access workshops using art, craft, music, and creative writing, to engage and inspire participants. Alongside the artist we employed dedicated wellbeing support to improve the accessibility and impact of the work. Towards the end of the project each group worked with visiting artists to build a community celebration event.
The Challenge
Adults in our communities are facing mental health challenges, alongside poverty, loneliness and isolation. Compounded by geographical location, poor transport links and lack of local services. We identified these multiple issues from our work on previous project Breathing Space. Established before the pandemic, Breathing Space was a network of creative workshops that met across the county to explore participants self-expression, connect with other members of the community and make new friends, and grow their overall wellbeing. It was from this tried, proven, social prescribing model that we saw the need for further work and need to focus more on mental health.
The Approach
BSI ran for 60 weeks in 7 locations, 6 across Bridgend and 1 in RCT. We ran 412 workshops, 1 large scale celebration event, worked with 14 artists, and had 367 individuals with 2590 attendances to the groups.
The artist-led weekly sessions with wellbeing support had a specific art focus that supports wider creativity and confidence. Each group had a unique identity and focused on one art form. Music improvision, singing, visual arts, art and mindfulness, craft, and creative writing. Alongside the artists, we developed a creative methodology that allows participants freedom to experiment, but also built-in success, using high quality art materials or instruments that sound amazing as soon as you play them. In the case of the singing group, this meant using songs everyone already knew and that were also easy to sing. We built in success alongside challenges, to give people the biggest help from the moment they walked through the door.
At the end of the first year each group had a visiting artist, to help develop new skills and approaches. This work was then showcased at an Exhibition - which gave the participants a chance to see the work in a professional context. We provided ongoing wellbeing support for the Artists and Wellbeing Assistants. Our freelance staff could access non-managerial supervision around any issue they found challenging. We also held planning and reflection days with all BSI facilitators, where issues could be discussed and joint approaches to challenges developed. We worked in accessible spaces, using professional, experienced staff, and robust safeguarding processes.
The Impact
We used Most Significant Change (MSC) model for our evaluation. It mirrors both our overall ethos and the way BSI works: participant-led, flexible, and centered on lived experience.
“It’s hard to articulate the changes we notice in our participants. It’s a feeling sometimes –their presence in the room.” (Uschi, facilitator)
Social connection and reduced isolation People made friends, felt less lonely, and became part of supportive community networks. "They are like family now, really." (Dianne)
Improved mood and wellbeing Participants described feeling calmer, more relaxed and positive, with benefits lasting beyond the sessions. "Coming here, I'm all anxious and jittery. But here, I can just switch off, and when I go home, I feel more relaxed, more positive, and I can tackle the kids again." (Sam)
Prevention BSI helped prevent difficulties from becoming worse during especially tough times. "These groups are amazing and have helped me a lot - in keeping me moving forward and keeping me here."
Support for physical health and recovery It supported recovery and re-engagement with everyday life after illness or injury. "I had a medically induced stroke. It's hard for me to see the guitar but the tutors found a way for me to play with just one string”
We have estimated the savings of at least £208,309 to the public sector.
Lessons Learned
We monitored the data on participant numbers, held regular meeting with the facilitators, and visited sessions for regular informal check ins with the participants. A clear impact on engagement from participants was the consistency of session. Where we could stay in the same space, with same art form and same artist we had the bigger groups and higher numbers of attendances. We developed our original plan for visiting artists - as each group had such a strong identity it was clear to see we needed artists with different skills and approaches to get the most from the participants. Overall key lesson learnt is how long it takes to build groups that are truly embedded in their community but how valuable that is to do.
The Legacy
BSI is a vital programme with clear evidence of improvement in mental health, wellbeing and ripple effect into all our communities. Originally a yearlong program funding from local council allowed us to extent it for 6months. We are currently using reserves to keep a reduced version going while we battle for more funding.
“All this I’m saying…it won’t come out as well as feeling it – the love, the feeling I get here, it’s lovely. The fundraisers ought to come and see what it’s like here! Because they don’t know, do they?” (Dianne participant)
Website and Social Media Links
Https://www.taniocymru.com/post/bsi-evaluation-report-has-launched
Contact Details
Tags: Visual art, music, spoken word, creative writing, singing, craft, adults, community, mental health, older people, wellbeing.
