Case Study: State of Art

Introduction

We created a safe space for people to express, share + co-produce participatory arts activities, including street culture + fashion, expressive writing, affirmation billboard design, illustration and zine design at The Sustainable Studio, Cardiff. Our R&D project supported an inclusive, diverse group of young people aged 16-25 years to gain greater access to the arts, build relationships, confidence, + a range of new skills. This six month R & D project focussed on youth culture in a tailored and inspiring way, fostering a multidisciplinary environment that enriched participants' creative experience, developing teamwork + communication skills. A programme of workshops + music events were designed by Beth Morris Workshops, The Sustainable Studio, + inspirational guest speakers. Beth Morris Workshops The Sustainable Studio The Arts for Health and Wellbeing Team, CAVUHB In addition: TGP Cymru Headroom Charity Oasis Charity Talk to Coco Thom Botwood Willow Pugh Caleb Valentin - insanelysaneclothing Yannick Valentin TP4Style DATI Clothing

The Challenge

Mind.org.uk Youth Voice Network Member, Anisah Waheed: ‘’It is essential to provide young people of colour with the platform to make their voices heard to break down stubborn social inequalities + to empower and encourage them to speak openly about their mental health’' We discovered a strong need to establish a sustainable, eco-conscious, safe, creative space where young people could meet regularly to engage with inspiring meaningful arts, where their needs are respected and understood, + where members of an ethnically diverse community feels welcome. We aimed to discover the hurdles which exist for vulnerable/marginalised people to access the arts, wellbeing + new skills learning + develop greater cultural competency/language learning. Strategy alignment: CAVUHB, WoFG Act

The Approach

Between March-September 2024 we delivered through a central theme of 'identity': • 2 introductory open events to engage the community, receive feedback and co-create a programme of testing workshops across a variety of multidisciplinary arts media. • Planning + community consultation by The Sustainable Studio, March-April • 12 sessions delivered by Beth Morris Workshops + Guest Artist speakers April- July, to a group of 12 core participants • 3 closing music + exhibition events in July/ August - 150 participants • Co- evaluation and end point project film 8 artists including Beth Morris, Julia Harris, Sarah Harris, Caleb Valentin, Willow Pugh, Talk to Coco, Thom Botwood and Yannick Valentin, delivered arts workshops + talks including: Disney Illustration Drawing, watercolours Textiles, eco-fashion design Expressive Writing Clothing design related to identity, incorporating different languages Affirmative Billboard design Music events and performance Events in July and August included an end-point exhibition, a film-screening, music night/jam events and further evaluation/ evidence gathering. We received £14,450 grant, total expenditure £16,151. We worked with a group of 12 young asylum seekers + refugees, and 150 people from the wider community attended events.

The Impact

The strong partnership, project planning + co-reflection between Beth Morris Workshops, the Sustainable Studio and the Arts Team, CAVUHB together with key organisations Headroom Charity + Oasis Charity added substantial value + impact to the project: ● Talk to Coco, DATI, TP4Style, Thom Botwood, Willow Pugh and Caleb Valentin brought a fresh arts perspective around self-image and confidence . As participants explored arts media, the artists' involvement provided valuable insight into how identity + their personal stories can encourage self-expression. ● Headroom Charity ensured mental wellbeing was prioritised throughout the program, + helped foster a nurturing, safe and supportive space. ● Oasis Charity provided support, the project embracing different cultural perspectives, ensuring inclusivity and diversity The wider community was introduced to the space including local councillors, Cardiff Council leads + Tudor Lane artists Evaluation was a mixed- methods approach, incorporating interviews, participant and workshop observations, discussion events + an end point film co-produced by participants, link below : https://healthcharity.wales/state-of-art/ Social media provided key feedback through short films - Instagram thesustainable.studio and bethmorrisworkshops

Lessons Learned

Partnership planning + the early establishment of a core group of participants was important - 100% of participants reported increased confidence and sense of wellbeing + achievement through the project. New skills learning was scored as the highest positive outcome by participants Engagement with the wider diverse community was slow to develop + further exploration is required to discover the barriers to engagement. Creative arts in combination with broader activities/ interests ; nature/sport/food/ cultural sharing, was suggested.

The Legacy

''I think your facilitator made a really big impression on A. She has never met an LGBT+ person and didn't know that people were anything other than heterosexual when she arrived in the UK (Ethiopia + Eritrea both criminalise homosexuality). I think hearing about their life + experiences made A feel really inspired [...]she was able to open up and share with the group [...] you created an environment that she felt safe in'' Development: - expanded reach to improve accessibility challenges. - structured follow-up to improve support.

Website and Social Media Links

https://healthcharity.wales/state-of-art/ Social media provided key feedback through short films - Instagram thesustainable.studio and bethmorrisworkshops

Contact Details

melanie.wotton@wales.nhs.uk info@bethmorrisworkshops.co.uk hi@thesustainable.studio

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