Creativity Works – a local charity using creativity as a catalyst for personal and social development in Bath and North East Somerset

Creativity Works provides self-support groups and peer-led networks to support mental health in Bath and North East Somerset. This case study forms part of the Different delivery models – charities section of our online Culture Hub.


Creativity Works is a local charity using creativity as a catalyst for personal and social development. Until April 2017, it was commissioned directly by Bath and North East Somerset Council to deliver a mental health creative support service through co-production with service users. It is now commissioned by Virgin Care, which has the contract to deliver community health in the borough.

Participants can join a range of free weekly groups which cover creative and social interests such as photography and rambling, writing, textiles and cooking. This provides a chance for people experiencing anxiety, depression or other mental health issues to build confidence, learn new skills and make friends. If the participants want a group to continue beyond the initial stage, Creativity Works helps them to move towards independence, providing help with the practicalities such as budgets and planning. Creativity Works remains on hand to provide support, but independence is the goal.

Impact of the activity

The commissioning contract includes key outcome targets around increasing availability and awareness of the activities and widening access. These outcomes are demonstrated by the delivery of certain services, including a range of taster sessions; supporting the development of two new co-facilitated groups each year and five independent progression groups; and five celebration events each year. The specified outcomes include participants feeling able to express their issues through different art forms, and peer tutors feeling encouraged and empowered to support their own groups. Self-observation in this way by participants and peer tutors is seen as sufficient evidence.

One example of a group that progressed to independence was for new mothers experiencing post-natal depression, providing a safe space where they could express themselves creatively and develop a peer support network. ‘Out of the Blue’ grew out of that project and now runs independently.

In 2016/17, 14 projects were delivered along with 20 taster sessions and nine events and exhibitions (which had a combined audience of 3,630). A total of 285 people attended the courses and groups, with 913 separate attendances over 120 sessions. The independent peer-led groups had 24 regular members. Thirty volunteers delivered 492 hours of support.

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Looking to the future

From April 2017, Virgin Care has overseen community health and social care across Bath and North East Somerset, directly providing some services and commissioning others. The £700 million, seven-year contract was awarded to Virgin Care by Bath and North East Somerset Council following an extensive bidding process.

The Creativity Works mental health creative support service has continuation funding in 2017/18 as part of a community-based mental health pathway. A comprehensive mental health review is taking place and Virgin Care will deliver or sub-contract appropriate services from 2018 based on the review.

Key learning points

  • Build progression pathways within the provision so the participants have continuity, hope and can retain connections.
  • Partnership work is important, not only within traditional mental health services but also, for example, local museums, galleries and allotment organisations.  
  • This type of activity is only successful with short waiting times, but a constant influx of new members can cause capacity and group identity issues and needs to be managed well.
  • Recognise that many groups have a natural lifespan and don’t try to prolong them: it is better that a group ends well with potential progression routes in place if required.
  • Groups are always person-centred, peer led and peer directed. Trained and supported peer mentors are needed to help them become successful and independent.
  • Access to modest community funds is essential to help groups become independent.

For further information contact Basil Wild, Commissioning and Contracts Manager (Mental Health), Bath and North East Somerset Council: [email protected]


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This case study have been developed in conjunction with Arts Council England.