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UK CITIES OF CULTURE: TURNING CITY LIFE INTO COMMUNITY HAPPINESS

Nurturing happiness, health and wellbeing in Hull and Coventry through inclusive, creative programmes. Because feeling good about where we live makes an enormous difference.

IN DETAIL

Grant: Coventry 2021 £1.2m, Hull 2017 £2.8m
Duration: 2015 – 2025
Read more: Coventry City of Culture, Hull City of Culture, Hull Volunteers

We’re honoured to have been a principal funder for two UK Cities of Culture Programmes – Hull in 2017, and Coventry in 2021. Our funding focus for these year-long arts and culture programmes was on social outcomes for city residents.

In Hull, our grant supported a series of curated community arts projects. Things like Square Peg, an extensive disability arts programme. And The Land of Green Ginger, the flagship project that ran across seven sites including Longhill – one of the most disadvantaged parts of the city. We also provided long-term support for the city’s landmark volunteering programme.

Hull 2017: The project in numbers:
‍

  • Over 2,800 events, cultural activities, exhibitions and installations across the year
  • 90%+ of residents engaged with at least one cultural activity
  • 3 in 4 residents said it changed their perception of their city for the better
  • 2,400 volunteers, 84,000 shifts and 337,000 hours of volunteering
  • 71% of volunteers agreed or strongly agreed that there had been an improvement in their self-esteem

Coventry 2021: The project in numbers:
‍

  • The programme reached a total of 22,000 people
  • 250 direct beneficiaries across its four projects
  • The wellbeing of the young producers involved in the project improved across all four ONS Measures of Personal Wellbeing
  • Anxiety scores of participants, which had started at 4.40 (above the UK average of 3.06), fell to 2.60 by the project’s conclusion
  • A social return on investment calculation found that, for every £1 spent, there was a £3.20 return on investment in social value
“Working with creativity… It creates that space for people to…see themselves reflected, to heal, to imagine better futures… To create new ideas and ways of being, to create connections, to feel less isolated. It becomes this mechanism for so many different possibilities.”
‍
– Caring City Producer, Evaluation Debrief, June 2022
In Coventry, the Caring City programme was all about inclusivity, representation, mental wellbeing and social connectedness. Caring City listened to the stories, hopes and struggles of Coventry’s seldom-heard communities. It encouraged social cohesion, inspired social change and helped address some of the big issues vulnerable residents face – like food poverty, immigration, environmental action, homelessness and loneliness. Having small cohorts within projects was a driver for increasing levels of wellbeing, allowing individuals to receive tailored care in safe spaces.
“Being part of this project gave me something to focus on and made me calm. I feel less stressed and anxious.”

‍‍– Caring City Participant, April 2022

OTHER CASE STUDIES

EUROVISION 2023: MUSIC, PRIDE AND BELONGING IN LIVERPOOL

Find out more

OUR LIVES, OUR LEGACY: ONE PROJECT, TWO COMMUNITIES AND 15 AGENTS OF CHANGE

Find out more

PLAYING OUT: THE MORE THE MERRIER IN THE MIDLANDS

Find out more
Back to the report

UK CITIES OF CULTURE: TURNING CITY LIFE INTO COMMUNITY HAPPINESS

Nurturing happiness, health and wellbeing in Hull and Coventry through inclusive, creative programmes. Because feeling good about where we live makes an enormous difference.

IN DETAIL

Grant: Coventry 2021 £1.2m, Hull 2017 £2.8m
Duration: 2015 – 2025
Read more: Coventry City of Culture, Hull City of Culture, Hull Volunteers

We’re honoured to have been a principal funder for two UK Cities of Culture Programmes – Hull in 2017, and Coventry in 2021. Our funding focus for these year-long arts and culture programmes was on social outcomes for city residents.

In Hull, our grant supported a series of curated community arts projects. Things like Square Peg, an extensive disability arts programme. And The Land of Green Ginger, the flagship project that ran across seven sites including Longhill – one of the most disadvantaged parts of the city. We also provided long-term support for the city’s landmark volunteering programme.

“But since this has happened [Hull UKCC], I just have embraced it and actually fell in love with it [Hull]”
‍
‍‍– Hull Resident
In Coventry, the Caring City programme was all about inclusivity, representation, mental wellbeing and social connectedness. Caring City listened to the stories, hopes and struggles of Coventry’s seldom-heard communities. It encouraged social cohesion, inspired social change and helped address some of the big issues vulnerable residents face – like food poverty, immigration, environmental action, homelessness and loneliness. Having small cohorts within projects was a driver for increasing levels of wellbeing, allowing individuals to receive tailored care in safe spaces.
“Working with creativity… It creates that space for people to…see themselves reflected, to heal, to imagine better futures… To create new ideas and ways of being, to create connections, to feel less isolated. It becomes this mechanism for so many different possibilities.”
‍
– Caring City Producer, Evaluation Debrief, June 2022

Hull 2017: The project in numbers:
‍

  • Over 2,800 events, cultural activities, exhibitions and installations across the year
  • 90%+ of residents engaged with at least one cultural activity
  • 3 in 4 residents said it changed their perception of their city for the better
  • 2,400 volunteers, 84,000 shifts and 337,000 hours of volunteering
  • 71% of volunteers agreed or strongly agreed that there had been an improvement in their self-esteem

Coventry 2021: The project in numbers:
‍

  • The programme reached a total of 22,000 people
  • 250 direct beneficiaries across its four projects
  • The wellbeing of the young producers involved in the project improved across all four ONS Measures of Personal Wellbeing
  • Anxiety scores of participants, which had started at 4.40 (above the UK average of 3.06), fell to 2.60 by the project’s conclusion
  • A social return on investment calculation found that, for every £1 spent, there was a £3.20 return on investment in social value
“Being part of this project gave me something to focus on and made me calm. I feel less stressed and anxious.”

‍‍– Caring City Participant, April 2022

OTHER CASE STUDIES

Find out more

OUR DAY OUT: CREATIVE JOY AND CONNECTION IN LATER LIFE

Find out more

EmpowHER: IMPROVING GIRLS’ WELLBEING THROUGH YOUTH-LED SOCIAL ACTION

Back to the report

UK CITIES OF CULTURE: TURNING CITY LIFE INTO COMMUNITY HAPPINESS

Nurturing happiness, health and wellbeing in Hull and Coventry through inclusive, creative programmes. Because feeling good about where we live makes an enormous difference.

IN DETAIL

Grant: Coventry 2021 £1.2m, Hull 2017 £2.8m
Duration: 2015 – 2025
Read more: Coventry City of Culture, Hull City of Culture, Hull Volunteers

We’re honoured to have been a principal funder for two UK Cities of Culture Programmes – Hull in 2017, and Coventry in 2021. Our funding focus for these year-long arts and culture programmes was on social outcomes for city residents.

In Hull, our grant supported a series of curated community arts projects. Things like Square Peg, an extensive disability arts programme. And The Land of Green Ginger, the flagship project that ran across seven sites including Longhill – one of the most disadvantaged parts of the city. We also provided long-term support for the city’s landmark volunteering programme.

“Working with creativity… It creates that space for people to…see themselves reflected, to heal, to imagine better futures… To create new ideas and ways of being, to create connections, to feel less isolated. It becomes this mechanism for so many different possibilities.”
‍
– Caring City Producer, Evaluation Debrief, June 2022
In Coventry, the Caring City programme was all about inclusivity, representation, mental wellbeing and social connectedness. Caring City listened to the stories, hopes and struggles of Coventry’s seldom-heard communities. It encouraged social cohesion, inspired social change and helped address some of the big issues vulnerable residents face – like food poverty, immigration, environmental action, homelessness and loneliness. Having small cohorts within projects was a driver for increasing levels of wellbeing, allowing individuals to receive tailored care in safe spaces.
“Being part of this project gave me something to focus on and made me calm. I feel less stressed and anxious.”

‍‍– Caring City Participant, April 2022
“But since this has happened [Hull UKCC], I just have embraced it and actually fell in love with it [Hull]”
‍
‍‍– Hull Resident

Hull 2017: The project in numbers:
‍

  • Over 2,800 events, cultural activities, exhibitions and installations across the year
  • 90%+ of residents engaged with at least one cultural activity
  • 3 in 4 residents said it changed their perception of their city for the better
  • 2,400 volunteers, 84,000 shifts and 337,000 hours of volunteering
  • 71% of volunteers agreed or strongly agreed that there had been an improvement in their self-esteem

Coventry 2021: The project in numbers:
‍

  • The programme reached a total of 22,000 people
  • 250 direct beneficiaries across its four projects
  • The wellbeing of the young producers involved in the project improved across all four ONS Measures of Personal Wellbeing
  • Anxiety scores of participants, which had started at 4.40 (above the UK average of 3.06), fell to 2.60 by the project’s conclusion
  • A social return on investment calculation found that, for every £1 spent, there was a £3.20 return on investment in social value

OTHER CASE STUDIES

CAMP GLASGOW: GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE A SPORTING CHANCE

Find out more

CRITICAL MASS: DANCING INTO A NEW ERA OF INCLUSIVE EVENTS

Find out more

GET OUT GET ACTIVE: CHANGING THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT INCLUSION IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Find out more
Back to the report

UK CITIES OF CULTURE: TURNING CITY LIFE INTO COMMUNITY HAPPINESS

Nurturing happiness, health and wellbeing in Hull and Coventry through inclusive, creative programmes. Because feeling good about where we live makes an enormous difference.

IN DETAIL

Grant: Coventry 2021 £1.2m, Hull 2017 £2.8m
Duration: 2015 – 2025
Read more: Coventry City of Culture, Hull City of Culture, Hull Volunteers

We’re honoured to have been a principal funder for two UK Cities of Culture Programmes – Hull in 2017, and Coventry in 2021. Our funding focus for these year-long arts and culture programmes was on social outcomes for city residents.

In Hull, our grant supported a series of curated community arts projects. Things like Square Peg, an extensive disability arts programme. And The Land of Green Ginger, the flagship project that ran across seven sites including Longhill – one of the most disadvantaged parts of the city. We also provided long-term support for the city’s landmark volunteering programme.

“Working with creativity… It creates that space for people to…see themselves reflected, to heal, to imagine better futures… To create new ideas and ways of being, to create connections, to feel less isolated. It becomes this mechanism for so many different possibilities.”
‍
– Caring City Producer, Evaluation Debrief, June 2022
In Coventry, the Caring City programme was all about inclusivity, representation, mental wellbeing and social connectedness. Caring City listened to the stories, hopes and struggles of Coventry’s seldom-heard communities. It encouraged social cohesion, inspired social change and helped address some of the big issues vulnerable residents face – like food poverty, immigration, environmental action, homelessness and loneliness. Having small cohorts within projects was a driver for increasing levels of wellbeing, allowing individuals to receive tailored care in safe spaces.
“Being part of this project gave me something to focus on and made me calm. I feel less stressed and anxious.”

‍‍– Caring City Participant, April 2022
“But since this has happened [Hull UKCC], I just have embraced it and actually fell in love with it [Hull]”
‍
‍‍– Hull Resident

Hull 2017: The project in numbers:
‍

  • Over 2,800 events, cultural activities, exhibitions and installations across the year
  • 90%+ of residents engaged with at least one cultural activity
  • 3 in 4 residents said it changed their perception of their city for the better
  • 2,400 volunteers, 84,000 shifts and 337,000 hours of volunteering
  • 71% of volunteers agreed or strongly agreed that there had been an improvement in their self-esteem

Coventry 2021: The project in numbers:
‍

  • The programme reached a total of 22,000 people
  • 250 direct beneficiaries across its four projects
  • The wellbeing of the young producers involved in the project improved across all four ONS Measures of Personal Wellbeing
  • Anxiety scores of participants, which had started at 4.40 (above the UK average of 3.06), fell to 2.60 by the project’s conclusion
  • A social return on investment calculation found that, for every £1 spent, there was a £3.20 return on investment in social value

OTHER CASE STUDIES

LEGACY LEARNING PARTNERS

Find out more

CREATING THE GOLDEN THREAD

Find out more

INQUIRY INTO THE POWER OF EVENTS

Find out more

With thanks to all our partners whose contributions have made our spirit – and our legacy of impact – even stronger.