Between January and March 2025, Britten Pears Arts (BPA) partnered with Mindful Care Training and Consultancy (MCTC) to independently evaluate PARTICIPATE – a community-based creative health programme supporting adults who may be experiencing social isolation, dementia, chronic health conditions, or caring responsibilities.
Rooted in the Suffolk communities of Kesgrave, Leiston, Saxmundham, and Woodbridge, this collaboration brought together two locally committed organisations. Combining expertise in care, evaluation, community wellbeing, and the arts, MCTC delivered insightful, compassionate, and practical findings highlighting the profound impact of this unique programme.
About PARTICIPATE
Initiated by BPA in 2021, PARTICIPATE offers weekly creative sessions featuring live music, singing, movement, conversation, and social connection. Sessions are inclusive, relaxed, and prioritise participation rather than performance, ensuring everyone feels welcome and able to engage in their own way. The aim is simply being together, finding enjoyment through creativity, and supporting emotional and social wellbeing.
Who are Mindful Care Training and Consultancy (MCTC)?
MCTC is a Suffolk-based organisation with national and international reach, specialising in workforce training, service evaluation, and consultancy across health and social care. Founded to bridge the gap between theory and practice, it promotes person-centred, values-based approaches – placing dignity, empathy, and communication at its core.
The Evaluation: Learning Through Listening
MCTC’s approach to evaluating PARTICIPATE involved deep listening, careful observation, and honest reporting. Using a robust, ethical, and person-centred methodology, insights were gathered from:
• Over 70% of participants
• One-to-one interviews for personal storytelling
• Observations of group dynamics, engagement, and facilitation
• Feedback from artists and support staff
• Environmental assessments (venue layout and accessibility)
MCTC’s comprehensive report assessed the programme's impact and provided actionable insights for BPA’s future activities and broader national learning.
Key Findings: Creativity That Changes Lives
Improved Wellbeing
• 90% reported increased happiness, reduced loneliness, and improved emotional wellbeing.
• Participants described increased confidence, greater activity levels, and stronger social connections.
Strengthened Community
• Sessions created new friendships and community connections. Many participants now socialise outside the programme, forming lasting relationships.
Support for Care Partners
• 30% noted the group provided vital respite for care partners, offering shared positive experiences.
Accessibility and Inclusion
• 100% felt supported to participate due to organised transport, welcoming staff, and inclusive environments.
Ripple Effects
• Many participants have since engaged in other BPA activities, illustrating PARTICIPATE’s role as a gateway to cultural inclusion and lifelong learning. One participant expressed how the group had been her “lifeline”.
The evaluation also highlighted the powerful impact of creative engagement, particularly live music and singing, on memory, mood, and communication. Participants living with dementia often recalled names, lyrics, and emotions that were previously difficult to access.
“The music follows us home,” said one carer. “It lifts the mood for days.”
Why this partnership mattered
This project showcased effective cross-sector collaboration – integrating clinical, creative, and evaluative expertise to positively impact communities.
Kate Thubron, Director at MCTC, said:
“We’ve evaluated many community projects, but PARTICIPATE genuinely stands out. The energy, authenticity, and outcomes were exceptional. The team was open, compassionate, and deeply committed. This model deserves replication across towns and cities throughout the UK – it is cost-effective, inclusive, and deeply impactful.”
Lucy Eve from the community team at BPA - added:
“Working with Kate and the MCTC team was extremely valuable. They understood the essence of PARTICIPATE from the start and supported us to reflect deeply on our impact. We learned and grew throughout this process – their warmth, insights, and professionalism made this partnership incredibly effective.”
Creativity Is Care
This evaluation underscores that creativity is not just an activity – it’s an essential tool for care, recovery, and community-building. Creative group engagement helps individuals feel seen, valued, and empowered, reconnecting them with identity and reducing stigma around ageing, dementia, and ill health.
Conclusion: Suffolk Leads the Way
The partnership between Mindful Care Training and Consultancy and Britten Pears Arts demonstrates the possibilities when local organisations combine care, creativity, and commitment. PARTICIPATE exemplifies an inclusive, connected, and compassionate approach to wellbeing.
Through music, friendship, and collaboration, PARTICIPATE offers a replicable model that enriches lives and strengthens communities.
Find out more about PARTICIPATE.
Find out more about Mindful Care Training and Consultancy.