The greatest impact

where the need is greatest

At Create our focus is on engaging the UK’s most marginalised participants in inspiring, sustainable arts programmes in areas where provision is poor and engagement in the arts is therefore low.

To ensure we reach the most disadvantaged and vulnerable participants in areas of greatest need, we prioritise partner organisations that receive little or no provision from other arts providers.

We select these using poverty indices and government statistics on areas of deprivation alongside data including: disability; pupil premium/entitlement to free school meals; and use of English as an additional language.

In 2020/21 we worked with

participants entitled to free school meals (England average 17.3%)

participants who are Black / Asian / ethnically diverse

participants who are disabled / have special educational needs

participants aged 0-18 (12.4% are aged 60+)

Our commitment to evaluation

We use ongoing feedback to improve the work that we do. Each workshop ends with a feedback circle allowing participants to share how they feel; and at the conclusion of each project we ask all participants, staff, volunteers and artists to complete a short questionnaire. We use a blend of qualitative and quantitative data to create an evaluation report.

This is what our participants and community partners said about our projects in 2020/21:

Longer term impact

We also revisit two projects each year, 6-24 months after their completion. We call this initiative Making it Matter. Our consultant conducts in-depth focus groups with participants and detailed interviews with staff. This year we focused on our projects with young carers across the UK.

Our work with young carers

This year’s Making It Matter focus groups and interviews were conducted with children, staff and parents from seven young carer services. These explored the impact of in-venue projects between August 2019 and March 2020; and those delivered via Create Live! from April to September 2020.

The study found that our projects had a lasting impact on young carers, more critical than ever during lockdown with reduced education and increased isolation impacting attainment levels and mental health. Projects enabled carers to build long-term friendships, enhance social skills, reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and build self-confidence. They increased participants’ creativity and artform (eg: music) skills; and inspired many to engage in further creative activities. They also changed some participants’ perception of their caring role.