Impact case study database

In 2015, KBS established the Community Animation and Social Innovation Centre (CASIC) in collaboration with New Vic Borderlines which has had a significant impact on the overall Connected Communities programme (5.1).

Transforming community engagement practices

Prior to these collaborations with KBS, the New Vic Theatre had not undertaken any research to inform its outreach work. Since collaborating with KBS, the theatre’s work has been enhanced enabling ‘our theatre to develop its creative processes into a recognisable methodology’ (5.2) (3.1). Borderlines’ Technical and Stage Manager has reflected on the fundamental value of story-sharing methods to the organisation’s work (5.3) (3.1, 3.2, 3.3). Moffatt has been named as a partner/co-investigator on over 30 grants led by KBS or collaborating researchers, resulting in capacity enhancement for the theatre. The projects have brought new stakeholders to the theatre, including international partners such as Osaka City University and Alley Theatre in Houston (5.4).

CA has democratised organisational practices. Participants from CA workshops report using the techniques to better engage staff, communities and stakeholders, enabling ‘participants to think differently about … power, participation and the value of play and creativity in their work with communities’ (5.5). One UK Housing Association Manager reflected: ‘[CA] levelled the difference between residents and managers…with this methodology people who do not normally participate felt safe and able to speak up’ (R1). A social entrepreneur who commissioned a CA intervention reported: ‘the effect has been dramatic’, increasing employee engagement in decision making. An NHS Senior Manager reflected, ‘no other forum or technique we used before has been so effective in terms of collective learning and idea sharing’ (R1). Impact has also been achieved internationally. Workshops in Canada led to organisations using CA to facilitate community meetings and staff training, leading to the development of new frameworks around community engagement (3.5) (5.6). Techniques have been adopted by the Barangua Community in their community Café in Osaka (Japan, 3.4) and led Alley Theatre to enhance their marginalised communities programme in the USA (5.2).

Research-led engagement with diverse audiences leads to increased participation and understandings

Over 5000 community members participated in CASIC events (2015-2019). Evaluation mechanisms capture benefits such as: encouraging reflection and enhancing understandings on a wide range of issues, e.g., community health. Projects led to the expansion of the indicators of ‘healthy communities’ (3.3) which are more inclusive of different types of evidence. Participants reflected on how the CA method helped them to visualise change and report better understandings of their health through the realisation of community relations (5.6): ‘we were in it together’ (3.3).

Participants reported personal capacity building benefits. One claimed that CA sessions helped ‘ expand her mind and vocabulary’ and inspired participants to consider returning to education (3.1). Some shared their experiences at conferences, including before the Cabinet Office and government departments (3.5): ‘ not only did this enhance their soft skills (e.g., Confidence, emotional intelligence (5.6)) it … improve[d] … employability skills’ (5.5). Participant enjoyment is another legacy of CA (3.1). The Chair of the North Staffs Community Food Network (NSCFN) commented ‘ … it’s enjoyable. I find that people ... listen and take a lot more on board’ (5.7).

Influencing Community Organising

CA was facilitative of interventions in support of communities devastated by the Japanese Tsunami, through encouraging cooperation rather than competition (3.4). Research has had considerable impact on community organising around food poverty in Staffordshire. As a direct consequence the NSCFN (a Community Interest Group) was founded in 2015 (5.8), which, in turn, led to the development of the Food Charter for Stoke on Trent (2017), later adopted by the City Council (5.7). NSCFN’s Chair describes how CA methods including ‘ play acting and games’ provided the lived experience data that shaped the Charter, which was ‘ done by the people of Stoke on Trent for the people of Stoke on Trent’ (5.7). This also stimulated the development of new local Food Festivals, including Middleport Food Festival (2015) (grant 1) and citywide Stoke on Trent Festival (2017), which engaged over 3000 community members. A Health Improvement Practitioner from Stoke City Council described how ‘ the network and CASIC have been instrumental in helping us on our journey’ towards working to receive a Bronze Award for a Sustainable Food City for Stoke on Trent (2019) (5.9).

KBS research and CASIC have tipped the methodological balance towards community inclusiveness. This has been highlighted by Arts Council England as best practice for the development of international HEI collaboration (5.4) and by EU think tank SEISMIC as good practice for social innovation (5.10).