The Power of Creativity in the North West
At Create, we believe that everyone should have access to the life-enhancing power of the creative arts. Yet many people still encounter barriers to participating in creative activities, whether due to caring responsibilities, disability, poor mental health, isolation or other circumstances.
Thanks to the generous support of Garfield Weston Foundation, Create has continued to deliver creative arts programmes across the North West, reaching people who might otherwise not have the opportunity to engage with creativity.
During 2025/26, Create delivered 317 workshops across the region, reaching 501 participants and providing more than 5,500 hours of creative engagement. Across our programmes, 96% of participants said their wellbeing improved, 96% felt more connected to others and 95% reported increased confidence after taking part.
These figures reflect the transformative impact creativity can have when people are given the opportunity to create, connect and express themselves.
Building confidence through music
In Bury, young carers took part in a three-day inspired:arts music project led by Create musician Leonie Higgins in February 2026.
Working together, the young people created original pieces of music while developing teamwork, communication and listening skills.
Reflecting on the project, Bury Young Carers staff member Katy said:
“It’s been a collective contribution from the group. They’ve developed teamwork, and they’ve been communicating, listening to each other’s ideas and being respectful.”
She also highlighted the importance of providing young carers with time away from their responsibilities:
These three days give them a proper break from their caring role at home, and it definitely enhances their wellbeing and self-esteem. They seem happy and content to be here.
Katy, Bury Young Carers
It’s been encouraging to see the group participation and the young people’s ideas being listened to. I’ll definitely develop this in my own sessions at BYC going forward.“
Finding creative freedom through photography
In Wigan, young carers explored photography through an inspired:arts project led by Create photographer Louisa Mayman.
Abi, aged 12, cares for both of her parents and described some of the challenges her family faces:
“My mum’s got cerebral palsy and my dad’s got a brain injury. My mum’s recently been in hospital, which made my anxiety worse.
“Other people get to do fun things with their mum. But at the moment, I mostly stay in the house with my family.”
Through the workshops, she learned new photography techniques and discovered a creative outlet that helped her be more present:
[Being creative] makes me feel good because I’m taking my mind off the world and I’m just focusing on one thing, which is quite nice.
Abi, inspired:arts participant
Her experience reflects something we hear regularly from participants across many of our programmes: creativity can provide a valuable opportunity to step away from everyday pressures, build confidence and develop new skills.
Creativity that reaches across communities
While these stories come from our work with young carers, they represent just two examples of the impact Create has across the North West.
Throughout the year, our professional artists worked with children, young people and adults facing a wide range of challenges, delivering projects that reduce isolation, enhance wellbeing and create opportunities for self-expression and connection.
Whatever the artform, the outcomes are consistent: improved wellbeing, stronger connections and increased confidence.
We are hugely grateful to Garfield Weston Foundation for helping make this possible. Its support has enabled hundreds of people across the North West to access high-quality creative experiences and the many benefits that creativity can bring.
