Arts evaluation finds small wellbeing gains in NHS youth projects

Arts activities offered through NHS youth mental-health services in Wales were associated with small improvements in participants’ own wellbeing scores, according to a first-year evaluation published on Wednesday 21 October. The Arts and Minds review records 323 young people taking part in 157 creative sessions between April 2025 and March 2026. Its findings offer early evidence about participants’ experiences, rather than proof that the activities improved a diagnosed condition.

What was measured

The programme used a Creative Ways to Wellbeing scale designed for this work. Before and after taking part, young people rated areas including connection, activity, helping others, learning, expressing thoughts and feelings, and enjoyment on a five-point scale. The summary describes small mean average increases. Participants also described relaxation, friendship, pride and feeling listened to. It does not give the number completing the questionnaires, detailed numerical effect sizes or a comparison-group analysis. That limits what readers can conclude about how much changed and whether the programme caused it. The published summary does not establish a clinical treatment effect.

Five health boards took part

Projects were delivered with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services at Hywel Dda, Swansea Bay, Aneurin Bevan, Powys Teaching and Betsi Cadwaladr health boards. Activities included clay, textiles, collage and printmaking, with different approaches chosen locally. Swansea Bay combined nature-based creativity, cooking and play; Powys offered open studio workshops. The evaluation was commissioned by the Arts Council of Wales. The programme is funded in partnership with the Baring Foundation and its current phase runs from 2025 to 2028.

Capacity and funding remain obstacles

The review identifies capacity pressures in both health-board arts teams and mental-health services, alongside the time needed to develop projects within the NHS. Work involving CAMHS Schools In-Reach teams achieved particularly good engagement, it says. Recommendations include stronger routes into community arts activities and provision throughout the year. Expansion would require secure additional funding; the report does not announce that funding has been awarded. The programme and evaluation continue until 2028, when findings across the three years are due to be published.