The year-long arts and mental-health initiative Flux has come to a close. We celebrate and give thanks to all involved, and share the project evaluation conducted by Karen Pamplin Browne, with graphic designed by Lin Frank, here: Evaluation_march_v10 (6)
The evaluation brings together everything learned from Flux, alongside some of the incredible moments and inspirations for the future. It demonstrates the hard work and creativity shown by every young person who took part in Flux, as well as by the practitioners.
Flux was run by a group of Kent/Medway cultural organisations, with Living Words as lead partner. Working cross-sector with social care and public health teams, 10 individual projects across Kent and Medway were delivered. Professional artists explored trying new things with 319 project members, focusing the arts programmes on mental health and self-expression everywhere from day-long school workshops to six-week-long residencies at youth hubs, libraries, and community centres. Book creation, drama, zine-making, song-writing, music video creating, voice play, character building, story-telling, to creative listening, film, spoken word, collage making, free-flow writing, and soundscapes were the art forms practiced. Project members also gained Arts Award qualifications.
Flux: Fest showcased what had been happening in each project, so others could experience its impact and the talents of all involved. There was a live audience of 150 people, and fun had by all.
Now, Living Words is working with their friends at Kent County Council to share best practice and make the case for the arts for commissioners across all departments, as more individuals and organisations are working in the arts and health sector.
Also! Read the University of Sussex’s country-wide evaluation ‘Supporting Young Minds’, which Flux was part of, HERE: Artswork MHP evaluation – final report (3)
Thank you to all who took part in Flux.