Voluntary Arts Wales Part of Voluntary Arts, the UK and Republic of Ireland organisation set up to promote participation in creative cultural activities. We create resources and methodologies to improve the sustainability and resilience of creative cultural activity.

The idea Regular participants of professional-led arts initiatives or adult education classes often wish to continue their involvement after the funded initiative finishes. Thousands of self-led arts groups exist around the country, serving as inspiration and potential mentors. The personal, artistic and social benefits of participating can be multiplied when you add the element of self-determination.

Scoping Scoping carried out by ArtWorks Cymru Three main recommendations: –Putting Down Roots toolkit –Local mentoring and support –Peer networking

Pilot work Groups involved in the pilot study: –Côr Caia Choir / All Aloud (Wrexham) –Senior Moment(wm) (Llandrindod Wells) –Celf Able (Newtown) –Torfaen Welsh Learner Choir (Pontypool) –MaDCaff (Carmarthen) Local partnership teams

Pilot work Groups involved in the pilot study: –Côr Caia Choir / All Aloud (Wrexham) –Senior Moment(wm) (Llandrindod Wells) –Celf Able (Newtown) –Torfaen Welsh Learner Choir (Pontypool) –MaDCaff (Carmarthen) Local partnership teams

Mentoring and peer support Ideally the professional arts tutor or facilitator would have a role in mentoring the group, in order to ease the transition Mentors could also be ‘creative citizens’ from the local area, including leaders of existing voluntary arts groups willing to share their expertise Arts development officers, voluntary sector support staff etc. Local networks of peer support

Toolkit Equally useful to groups working on their own, or in a mentoring relationship. Accessible and interactive, flagging up important issues while not detracting from excitement.

Toolkit Sections include: –What are your hopes? –Who’s involved? –Unlocking leadership potential. –Resources – venues, money, tutors –Policies and procedures –Managing risk –Being inclusive

Next steps Continue to support pilot groups. Looking for new potential partners across the UK and Republic of Ireland to extend the pilot work, especially in the field of adult education. ‘Bolt on’ to funding applications to enable applicants to demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and long-term return on investment?

Contact Janina Kuczys VAW Infrastructure Development Officer