that can be tailored to local health needs and systems
in faith and community settings, such as mosques, churches and cultural centres
with local capacity building and local spending
to measure impact and inform future commissioning
Creative English is an innovative, evidenced-based, drama-based approach to learning English which uses applied drama techniques to build participants’ confidence and understanding to navigate systems and services in the UK. At the same time, it accelerates the development of friendships and networks of peer support.
Co-designed with beneficiaries in research for Queen Mary University of London (Smith 2013), it has supported over 25,000 people since 2014.
It is primarily used with adults with no or little English via our network of faith and community hubs, reaching people furthest from mainstream opportunities.
Whilst the original programme contains a mix of topics, the methodology can be tailored to meet specific needs and gaps in knowledge and confidence, including parents and children working together and equipping health professionals with the colloquial English they need to work with UK patients.
Since 2022, it has been used successfully to address specific health literacy challenges, whilst continuing to deliver its regular benefits.
What makes it unique?
The unique nature of the co-produced programme and its research origins
Creative English was developed in partnership with the people it was designed to serve, as part of research for Queen Mary University of London on drama-based approaches to facilitating belonging.
Unlike other approaches, our methodology is holistic, addressing language, confidence, health literacy, system awareness, social isolation, integration and well-being. You can find out more about our distinctive approach in our external evaluations and through our contributions to academic publications and national and international conferences.
Working with faith-based delivery partners
FaithAction management of the programme provides reach to those who are traditionally hard for statutory services to engage. Utilising faith capital, trust is established quickly and transferred to health messaging.
Faith and community organisations serve as trusted, culturally-safe, and socially-cohesive environments, particularly for marginalised groups such as recent migrants, older ethnic minority adults, and people with limited English proficiency (Campbell et al., 2007; South et al., 2013).
Gildea and Range (2023) found participants has not engaged in English language learning or health literacy programmes elsewhere, including through statutory services such as health, education or housing. They had, however, chosen to attend the faith and community centres already known to them, as these places offer much greater guarantees that implicit cultural needs and norms will be met.
Empirical research, such as Viswanathan et al. (2004) and DeHaven et al. (2004) highlights the pivotal role of faith and community organisations in public health promotion.
Partnership with commissioners
We have a track record of working closely with commissioners to tailor content to local needs, evolving content as priorities change.
The multiplier effect of spreading funds around a locality
Within our model, local grassroots groups and volunteers benefit from onward funding to help build capacity. This accounts for a significant proportion of the overall funding, given out in response to achieving milestones.
How much does it cost?
On average, Creative English costs £17,000 per delivery hub.
Contact us to discuss further details and discuss efficiences of scales.
- Funding to local organisations to deliver the programme
- Resource kits
- Training venue hire and catering
- Materials refresh
- Facilitator training and coaching
- Capacity-building support for hosting organisation
- Project management
- Data collection and collation
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Project admin
Interested?
Fill out the form and let us know what you’re after and one of our team will be in touch soon!