Creative kin ‘brought us closer together’
Our two-year project providing artist-led, creative respite for kinship families had a significant impact on improving participants’ confidence, wellbeing and relationships, an independent evaluation has found.
Children and their carers in Moray and Ayrshire – many of whom were dealing with complex issues – explored music, visual art, drama and other artistic and creative activities together during weekly sessions as part of Creative Kin, delivered in partnership with Children1st.
Research by Matter of Focus found that the protected time and space gave carers respite away from everyday challenges to have fun with peers and the children they care for.
Read the full report here.
The opportunity to engage in creative play together was also really important, helping improve families’ sense of togetherness and, in turn, helping to strengthen attachment between carers and their children.
One carer fed back that: “Sessions have brought us closer together as a family. We can interact with each other in a different setting.”
A member of the Children 1st staff team observed that: “Starcatchers has shown the family that they can spend time together without having conflict… and gave hope that they can recreate this at home within creative activities… Feedback from the carer has been that she really enjoys seeing what the children are drawn to, learning what they enjoy and seeing them show creativity and imagination to inform what they do at home.”
Research also found that, after taking part in Creative Skills training and working with Starcatchers’ artists to deliver Creative Kin sessions, Children 1st staff recognise the value of embedding arts and creativity in their work with children and families.
Read the full report here.
Watch our short film celebrating the positive impact of Creative Kin here.