Findings from a new evaluation of the Arts Council of Wales and Baring Foundation’s ‘Arts and Minds’ programme indicates that arts and creative activities could be an effective way of supporting children and young people receiving mental health support from the NHS.
The ‘Arts and Minds’ programme funds creative projects in five NHS Health Boards across Wales. Nearly 300 children and young people who were being supported by NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) took part last year.
The young people filled in questionnaires at the beginning and end of the creative sessions in 2025-26, which tracked how connected, active, giving, learning and aware (taking notice) they felt before and after taking part. These areas are taken from the evidence-based Five Ways to Wellbeing.