TY - BOOK

T1 - 'O Banad i Brofiad': End of Project Evaluation Report

AU - Ifan, Gwawr

AU - Bailey-Wood, Alys

PY - 2022/12/22

Y1 - 2022/12/22

N2 - Background: ‘O Banad i Brofiad’ was designed to give threecommunity groups in Holyhead, north Wales, theopportunity to co-create and co-produce with artisticpractitioners in an organic way over the course of eightmonths. It aimed to be meaningful to musicians whilstrelevant to the needs of the communities involved.Aim: The aim of this evaluation was to explore theexperiences of participants and practitioners involved in‘O Banad i Brofiad’, recognise perceived benefits andlimitations, and identify ways to improve and develop theapproach to the future.Method: A qualitative approach was adopted for theevaluation. Semi-structured interviews and focus-groupswere conducted with a cross-section of participants, anddata were interpreted using thematic analysis.Results: The themes that emerged from the interviews andfocus groups included the personal impact of theprogramme (comprising of creative expression, sense ofachievement, growth and development, confidence, andpositive emotions). Participants also discussed theimpact of the programme in relation to the interpersonalrelationships within their communities, their connectionswithin the local area, and their relationships with music.Suggestions for improvements were also made for futureprogrammes.Conclusion: The themes highlight the complex ecosystemof relationships that was brought to life during ‘O Banadi Brofiad’. This ecological approach to community musicmaking has enabled Ensemble Cymru to reach newgroups of people who have limited access to the arts,provide them with a new appreciation to live music andclassical music, and in many cases, enhance keyindicators of wellbeing. This is especially meaningful ata time when community groups are still living with theconsequences of the isolation experienced during theCovid-19 lockdowns.The results demonstrate the important role thatcollaborative use of live music and dance can play inencouraging and developing young people’s confidence.This potential should be explored further in collaborationwith key stakeholders in the education sector.The possibility of taking a similar approach to communitymusic-making into other communities should beexplored. When developing similar approaches in future,allowing time to build meaningful relationships withstakeholders and participants should be an importantconsideration. An opt-out option should also beconsidered for those not wanting to participate in musicactivities, and general boundaries should be set relatingto the regularity of sessions and what will and will not berequired of participants.

AB - Background: ‘O Banad i Brofiad’ was designed to give threecommunity groups in Holyhead, north Wales, theopportunity to co-create and co-produce with artisticpractitioners in an organic way over the course of eightmonths. It aimed to be meaningful to musicians whilstrelevant to the needs of the communities involved.Aim: The aim of this evaluation was to explore theexperiences of participants and practitioners involved in‘O Banad i Brofiad’, recognise perceived benefits andlimitations, and identify ways to improve and develop theapproach to the future.Method: A qualitative approach was adopted for theevaluation. Semi-structured interviews and focus-groupswere conducted with a cross-section of participants, anddata were interpreted using thematic analysis.Results: The themes that emerged from the interviews andfocus groups included the personal impact of theprogramme (comprising of creative expression, sense ofachievement, growth and development, confidence, andpositive emotions). Participants also discussed theimpact of the programme in relation to the interpersonalrelationships within their communities, their connectionswithin the local area, and their relationships with music.Suggestions for improvements were also made for futureprogrammes.Conclusion: The themes highlight the complex ecosystemof relationships that was brought to life during ‘O Banadi Brofiad’. This ecological approach to community musicmaking has enabled Ensemble Cymru to reach newgroups of people who have limited access to the arts,provide them with a new appreciation to live music andclassical music, and in many cases, enhance keyindicators of wellbeing. This is especially meaningful ata time when community groups are still living with theconsequences of the isolation experienced during theCovid-19 lockdowns.The results demonstrate the important role thatcollaborative use of live music and dance can play inencouraging and developing young people’s confidence.This potential should be explored further in collaborationwith key stakeholders in the education sector.The possibility of taking a similar approach to communitymusic-making into other communities should beexplored. When developing similar approaches in future,allowing time to build meaningful relationships withstakeholders and participants should be an importantconsideration. An opt-out option should also beconsidered for those not wanting to participate in musicactivities, and general boundaries should be set relatingto the regularity of sessions and what will and will not berequired of participants.

M3 - Commissioned report

BT - 'O Banad i Brofiad': End of Project Evaluation Report

ER -