Evaluating the impact of the People Speak Up charity

What is the project?

People Speak Up is a community-based social, mental health, arts, health and well-being charity. 

It connects communities through storytelling, spoken word, creative writing and participatory arts. 

The charity offers workshops, training and events, as well as opportunities for volunteering and conversations. 

This includes arranging groups for people with dementia and their carers, young people’s groups, a men’s conversation group and a range of other activities.

People Speak Up developed a project to evaluate its impact by gathering stories from people who attended some of the different groups it offers.

The charity worked with Developing Evidence Enriched Practice (DEEP) to do this, using the most significant change approach.

Most significant change gathers stories to capture what’s changed for people as a result of an initiative or intervention. Learning from the stories captured can be explored by panels of people who discuss the stories and select which one they feel is the most significant story.

Why was it carried out?

One of the main aims of the organisation is to promote health and well-being through creative practice. It does this by using storytelling approaches to support people to find their voices. 

The sessions aim to strengthen the sense of community and tackle loneliness and isolation. This can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the people who take part.

The evaluation project was carried out to show the impact People Speak Up is having.

Where and when did the work take place?

The project took place between October 2023 and March 2024, and the charity is based in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire.

Who was involved?

The charity has been supported by DEEP, which is funded by Social Care Wales. 

What have they learned from the work?

The People Speak Up team have learned that they’re making a positive difference to the lives of people, by connecting communities through storytelling, spoken word, creative writing and participatory arts.

Participants have highlighted that a space to take part in activities has helped reduce loneliness. 

The project team say that the need for connection in the community is growing, and that access to supportive services needs to be available to everyone, to tackle loneliness and isolation and support mental health and well-being.