People's Palace Projects / QMUL / Battersea Arts Centre / Contact / NTW / Theatre Royal Stratford East / Dirty Protest · 2022
This mixed-methods study examined how five UK community arts organisations (based in Manchester, London, and Wales) supported young people's mental health and wellbeing during and after COVID-19 lockdowns, including the shift to online delivery. The quantitative strand surveyed 141 young people aged 16–29 about their pandemic experiences and arts engagement, while the qualitative strand drew on semi-structured interviews with 46 young people, 28 staff, and 16 stakeholders. Key findings show that while the move to digital expanded reach and offered safety for some shy participants, it also reduced connection, deepened digital poverty, and eroded the informal bonds central to participatory arts. The report recommends improved mental health training for arts staff, hybrid delivery models, and stronger cross-sector partnerships to sustain support for young people post-pandemic.