Creative Directions

Creative Directions was one of the four Music Challenge Fund projects funded by Spirit of 2012 between 2019-2022. Run by participatory arts charity darts. Its original intention was to provide: ‘Weekly music making sessions in the community that draw on local knowledge and individual stories, chances to socialise around and outside of the sessions, support from the participation co-ordinator and volunteers and progression pathways including live music event planning and performance opportunities.’

The project aimed to deliver the following outcomes in two areas of Doncaster, Askern and Edlington:

1. Doncaster residents who experience mental health issues will feel an increased sense of personal wellbeing.
2. Doncaster beneficiaries will have developed strategies and life skills needed to feel confident to take part in more activities locally and across the borough.
3. There is a positive change in the perception of disabled people in the community, including how disabled people perceive themselves.
4. Health professionals in Doncaster will have a better understanding of how the arts can benefit wellbeing, reduce social isolation and be a vital aspect of the recovery pathway.

Creative Directions started in April 2019, and was significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. During this time, the project focused on continuing engagement with its base of participants, initially through Activity Packs and then into online sessions. These sessions were delivered across the Creative Directions community rather than to area-based groups. The end of lockdown and move back to face-to-face delivery created its own challenges with numbers initially much lower than pre-pandemic as participants adjusted to new circumstances.