The impact of creative engagement – Escape provides regular creative workshops and opportunities for individuals to come together to join in a welcoming and inclusive space at the heart of the community.

We know getting involved in creative activity offers a release from anxiety and stress which provides scope to gain perspective on life and personal confidence. Through the creative journey our participants find new skills and interests which presents fresh opportunities, personal choices and help develop personal support strategies leading to  improved decision making. All our projects are supported through a trained link coordinator who welcome and supports both the artist leading the session and the participants taking part and the standard of our work is underpinned by quality awards including NHS Quality for Health accreditation and Queens Award for Volunteer Services.

Escape provides more than just an activity, it offers a first step to social integration, recovery from illness and collaboration within a safe environment. Sharing work with the wider community increases the sense of personal achievement for each individual, with the added value of community wellbeing, sense of place and belonging.

Evaluation – Escape’s work echoes national strategy Creative Health: The Art of Wellbeing calling for the application of using arts and culture across clinical pathways to address these issues of isolation, to aid recovery and improve health.

A major Arts & Health programme with Warwickshire County Council (2010-12) increased Escape’s profile regionally and nationally, piloting creative practice in new targeted health care environments, providing both qualitative and comparative longitudinal case studies.   The weekly Nuneaton programme developed from this work with a clear identified need to provide creative steps to address loneliness and social isolation, building social stepping blocks and building community resilience.   Research Document

Escape’s recently undertook a 2 year longitudinal WEMWBC evaluation of its pioneering arts and health ‘Changing Landscapes’ programme.  This evidenced the impact of the creative programme on improving health and wellbeing and has directed our future focus to sustain and grow Escape’s arts and health portfolio with key strategic partners and to raise awareness of Escape and the wellbeing impacts of arts and cultural interventions. Changing Landscapes Evaluation.