What We Do

What We Do

People Speak Up is a social, mental health, arts, health and wellbeing charity.

We connect communities through storytelling, spoken word, creative writing and participatory arts.

We offer workshops, training, events, volunteering and conversations.

Through artistic exploration we aim to:

  • Stimulate, engage and create
  • Build confidence
  • Cultivate intergenerational understanding
  • Promote health and wellbeing through creative practice
  • Generate workshops, performances and opportunities for individuals and communities
  • Tackle loneliness and isolation
  • Measure social impact in our local and wider community
  • Investigate the gaps in provision within current arts and wellbeing practices in the UK and nationally

We also provide volunteering opportunities for future employment.

We welcome collaboration with health boards, local councils, arts organisations, charities and support networks. If you would like to collaborate, participate or have an idea to improve health and wellbeing in your community, then please get in touch.

People Speak Up community arts workshop in progress
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OUR VISION

To create a space for people to find their voice.

OUR MISSION

To connect people, creating healthy, resilient communities through storytelling, spoken word, creative writing and participatory arts.

At People Speak Up we identify as a community – this includes people we serve, staff, freelancers, volunteers, management and board of trustees.

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Our Values

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LISTENING

Actively listening without judgement to everyone we come in contact with.

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Inclusivity

Striving for equity, actively fighting social injustice and investing in truly being an anti-racist community.

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Collaboration

Engaging in meaningful working relationships with shared value partners and individuals to strengthen our impact.

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Learnings

We are unafraid to ask the hard questions, open to accept and learn from our failures, and share our findings with our community and partners.

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People Led

Being transparent with our community and partners so we can continue to grow and always be led by the people and not agendas.

Connecting people, making healthier, cohesive, resilient communities

Problems

  • Mental illness
  • Social isolation
  • Strain on NHS services
  • Anxiety
  • Loneliness
  • Trauma
  • Life-limiting health conditions
  • Low levels of health and wellbeing

Pathways

Referrals and Walk-ins

Referral and walk-in pathways

Who we work with and what we offer

Young People

Young People Speak Up, Street Play Sir Gar, Arts Boost, Young Journalists and Polish Art Club

Adults

Llanelli Arts, Health and Wellbeing Hub and Living Well Carmarthen Programme, Arty Afternoons, People Sing Up, Neurodiverse Safe Space, Community Garden, Men in Conversation, Spoken Word Saturday, one-off community events

Older People

Over 50s, Creative Home Delivery Services, Elevenses Llanelli, Elevenses Carmarthen, Creative Offloading for Carers

Assumptions

  • Continued referrals from health, social care and third-sector partners.
  • Continued engagement on courses; continued commissions from partners.
  • Outcomes are measured consistently and use accessible language.
  • Evaluations and research evidence demonstrate effectiveness.

Evidence

  • Case studies, volunteers, ambassadors
  • Participant-led events and gatherings
  • Most Significant Change; causal mapping
  • Wellbeing scales, testimonials, films, impact reports

Long-term outcomes

  • Alleviate strain on NHS
  • Dynamic, cohesive communities
  • Active engagement

Short-term outcomes

  • Improved mental health and wellbeing
  • Alleviated loneliness
  • Empowerment and sense of identity
  • Connection