Wellbeing and Creative Arts Independent Evaluator

About West Kent Mind

West Kent Mind enriches lives through better mental health by offering support to get well, stay well and thrive. We are an ambitious, award-winning organisation, and an enthusiastic member of the Mind federation. We value collaboration, partnership, creativity, and growth.

Engaging in projects with the potential to positively impact people's lives can be truly rewarding. Surrounded by individuals who provide support and motivation, personal growth and progress are encouraged, resulting in a feeling of achievement and satisfaction in the work accomplished. Teaming up with a group, committed to making that difference, can instil a sense of purpose and determination, inspiring individuals to excel and make valuable contributions to their community.

About the Programme

The Creative Minds Programme is a six-month initiative promoting mental health and well-being through creative activities like painting, music, writing, and more. Open to adults (over the age of 18) in West Kent, the programme offers inclusive, free sessions led by professional artists and supported by wellbeing workers. Participants need no prior experience, just enthusiasm and a desire to improve their mental health.

Key Objectives include boosting confidence, fostering connections, enhancing life skills, and increasing participants' ability to manage their mental health and support others.

Now in its second year, the programme aims to support 864 adults over three years, with a focus on those with mental health challenges or feelings of loneliness. In addition to creative workshops, the programme offers leadership training to select participants, empowering them to become "Creative Agents." These agents lead "Creative Places" to engage the wider public in community-based creative activities.

The programme is set to conclude in March 2026, with two more rounds of activities still to come.

About the role

Our Creative Minds programme, funded by the National Lottery, is designed to enhance mental health and wellbeing for adults in West Kent through engaging in creative activities. These 24-week programmes are held in various locations across West Kent and are conducted in collaboration with professional artists, local arts organisations, and our Creative Agents, supported by the West Kent Mind community wellbeing team.

The programme leverages creativity to support mental health and wellbeing.

We are seeking an Independent Evaluator to assess the effectiveness of the Creative Minds Programme, a three-year initiative supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.

Following a successful first year, the evaluator will use various methodologies to evaluate:

Effectiveness and how well the programme met its objectives and outcomes to include but not limited to:

• Impact: Short- and long-term effects on clients' mental health and well-being.
• Accessibility and Inclusivity: Measures taken to ensure activities are accessible to all.
• Collaborators: Engagement levels among staff, volunteers, artists, clients, and partners.
• Public Outcomes: Community engagement with programme results.
• Challenges and Lessons Learned: Identification of challenges and strategies used, with insights for future projects.

Methodology will include a mixed approach using surveys, interviews, observations, case studies, and data analysis, including metrics from the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS).

Deliverables:

• Evaluation plan with data collection tools.
• Interim report (May 2025) with preliminary findings and adjustments.
• Final report (March 2026) detailing programme impact, challenges, and recommendations.
• Presentation of findings to the National Lottery Community Fund.

Who you are

All previous experience may be paid or voluntary, full or part-time, in the UK or overseas.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate the following:

·       Proven experience in evaluating arts and health programmes or similar community-based initiatives.

·       Strong knowledge and understanding of creativity, the arts, and mental health, either independently or in collaboration.

·       Ability to conduct an inclusive evaluation process, working effectively with a diverse range of adults.

·       Awareness of safeguarding practices.

Timeline

• Submission deadline: Close of business Wednesday 23 October 2024
• Interview date: Thursday 7 November 2024
• Evaluation plan: December 2024
• Interim report: May 2025
• Final report submission and presentation: March 2026

Terms and Conditions

Freelance Fee: An inclusive fee of £8000 (inc. VAT). The fee is inclusive of all expenses related to the successful candidate’s time, travel, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Hours: The freelancer will allocate the time required to complete and fulfil this agreement. Visits to the programme to be discussed and scheduled with West Kent Mind Wellbeing and Creative Arts Programme Lead. 

Location: The freelancer will work remotely. Scheduled visits within West Kent are required for in session visits.

Equal opportunities
We provide equal opportunities and are committed to the principle of equality in accordance with legislative provisions. We expect the support of all contractors in implementing these policies.

Health and safety
All freelancers have a responsibility for their own health and safety and that of others when carrying out their duties and must help us to apply our general statement of health and safety policy.

Safeguarding Commitment

We believe that every adult regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, has the right to equal protection from abuse and/or neglect. Our policy outlines our commitments at West Kent Mind and informs personnel of their responsibilities in relation to adult safeguarding.

Our policy aims to prevent harm and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect to adults with care and support needs. All our personnel, in whatever setting, have a key role in preventing harm or abuse occurring and acting responsibly where concerns arise. When abuse or neglect does take place, it needs to be dealt with swiftly, effectively and in ways which are proportionate to the issues and where the adult in need of protection has a voice.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check will be required.

Confidentiality
All evaluation-related data, documents, and communications should be treated with utmost confidentiality and used solely for the purposes of this evaluation. It is therefore a requirement for the postholder to sign a West Kent Mind Confidentiality statement.

 Application process

Please find attached or on our website the job description and person specification for the role you are applying for. 

• Please send an evaluation proposal (no more than 2 sides of A4) plus your CV no later than close of business Wednesday 23 October 2024.
• Your proposal should outline your approach to evaluating this project and highlight any relevant experience evidencing how you meet the requirements with the role description.

Due to the volume of applications, we may not acknowledge your application; thank you for your understanding.

We invite you to complete an Equality & Diversity monitoring form on our website. This information is detached from your personal data and is processed anonymously.

We aim to hold interviews on 7 November 2024 and we will let shortlisted candidates know no later than 30 October 2024 if they are invited to interview.

As part of our recruitment process, some of the questions for candidates will be sent in advance of interview to allow candidates to consider their answers.

Please note: to apply for this role, you must be able to provide evidence that you have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. This evidence must allow you to carry out the role which you are applying for without visa sponsorship. West Kent Mind, unfortunately, are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

We look forward to receiving your application.