Improvising Generations 2019 – 2021

What was the impact of our work on participants?

As a project, Improvising Generations reduced feelings of loneliness through short-and longer-term participation and, despite the challenges of a global pandemic, helped to ensure that the frequency with which loneliness is experienced did not increase. The project positively contributed to participants’ subjective wellbeing, helping them to feel good and function well across both short- and longer- term participation.

Participants reported that Improvising Generations provided a sense of belonging, aiding their motivation and commitment to continue to attend because of their perceived responsibilities to others. Whilst asking some participants to step outside their comfort zone, being outside offered many a sense of achievement, contributing to perceptions of improved mental health. In producing work for others to see, participants also described their pride in what they had done; being seen by others was a point of significance in participants’ and artists’ evaluations. Learning new technological skills was a real delight to many, as something they never would have encountered were it not for Improvising Generations and need to transfer the project using online tools. Overall, the project brought “more colour” to people’s lives and as a result, participants and artists alike expressed gratitude in having such an opportunity to make art and be together.

What did we learn artistically and as an organisation?

Organisationally, we learnt about the importance of adapting to the context we find ourselves in as agilely as possible, to trust our creative instincts to support people’s engagement with what we offer. Overall, we noticed that it is difficult to identify lonely people and that, in widening participation for this project and removing barriers to help them take part, we need to be responsive to the individual’s needs. Simple acts such as touching base with people, welcoming participants in before we start dancing and making music together are key drivers in this practice. This has also meant that we have diversified our offer significantly, to include a blend of face-to-face and online participation opportunities, sending out activity packs, encouraging painting, drawing, writing, photography and filming activities and ensuring that opportunities to drink tea and eat cake are always included!

Artistically, the basis of improvisation is important as it offers an opportunity for people to be met where they are at. And yet for many, improvisation is daunting, and so through this project, we were reminded of the importance of clearly articulating the working process throughout, to take small steps, and logically progress tasks to help new participants grow in confidence. The combination of live music and dance was vital in gluing people together. There came about a unifying objective, where everyone could contribute. Building connections between people seemed to occur when participants were authentically responsive to one another through their different artistic mediums. Improvisation helped participants to be in the moment and to respond to changes as they occurred, and we conclude, has the potential to bring very different people together equitably.