Chilliseedreport2016

‘Chilli Seed’: evaluating the model and exploring future directions

Dr Victoria Armstrong

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Contents 1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................3 1.1 Chilli Studios................................................................................................................................3 1.2 Chilli Seed....................................................................................................................................4 1.3 Purpose and structure of the report............................................................................................6 2. Literature Review...............................................................................................................................7 2.1 Socio-political context..................................................................................................................7 2.2 Comparable models.....................................................................................................................8 2.3 Unique features of Chill Seed.....................................................................................................10 2.4 Summary....................................................................................................................................11 3. Exploring the Chilli Seed model with studio existing members........................................................12 3.1 Method of exploration...............................................................................................................12 3.2 Responses from members.........................................................................................................12 1. What are the good parts about the proposed Chilli Seed model and why?.............................12 2. Do you feel this proposed model would be supportive? (If so, how do you feel it could support you? If not, why may you not feel supported?)...........................................................................13 3. How might the Chilli Seed model develop to support you more?............................................14 4. Do you think Chilli Seed will have any impact on your well-being and/or plans for the future?

Please explain your answer if possible.........................................................................................14 5. Do you have any other comments relating to the Chilli Seed model which you think are important for this evaluation?.....................................................................................................15 3.3 Key points and Summary...........................................................................................................16 4. Significance of findings, recommendations, and conclusions..........................................................17 4.1 What do the findings in this report mean for Chilli Seed?.........................................................17 4.2 Points to consider and tentative recommendations..................................................................18 4.3 Conclusion.................................................................................................................................19 REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................20

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1. Introduction 1.1 Chilli Studios Chilli Studios is a registered charity and formerly known as NAGAS (Newcastle and Gateshead Art Studio); it was set up in 2006 and is based in the Ouseburn area of Newcastle upon Tyne. Chilli Studios currently provides support to those who experience, have experienced, or at risk of experiencing, mental distress and/or exclusion from their local communities. Chilli Studios assists members to develop their skills in a wide range of creative based activities including:          

Drawing Painting Ceramics Sculpture Photography Digital media Printmaking Glasswork Textiles Creative writing

Members work independently in the studio and/or join any of Chilli Studios’ weekly structured workshops. Prospective members are regularly referred to Chilli Studios by a range of stakeholders including:      

Social workers Carers Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs) Occupational Therapists Doctors Support workers

Additional activities include regular exhibitions in local galleries, culturally relevant field trips, quarterly newsletters, and monthly members meetings which influences the direction of Chilli Studio’s work.

Since 2006 the Studio’s membership base has grown to an excess of 500 individuals, with 189 members recorded as ‘active’ in 2015. The current staff team have extensive experience of working within, or personal experience of, the mental health sector. In addition, Chilli Studios currently work with 6 sessional artists, many volunteers, and involved with the projects of two doctoral researchers.

Their board currently comprises 8 trustees, including significant representation from professionals working in key areas of mental health and the arts, including senior management, service user involvement, policy, and development and education.

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In April 2015 Chilli Studios, supported by a grant from the Big Lottery Fund, began a three year programme entitled ‘Create to Change’. The new Create to Change program is intended to be:        

Innovative and inspiring Engage those identified most in need but not yet fully engaged Provide a safe and friendly space with structured buddying system Offer an even broader range of creative disciplines Further nurture skills and support personal progression Promote new sustainable projects Seek new positive partnerships Facilitate real achievements based on individual goal setting

To deliver the Create to Change programme, Chilli Studios works on the ‘EPDA model’ which focuses on the Engagement, Participation, Development, and Achievement of its members. As part of this pioneering new programme, Chill Studios developed the ‘Chilli Seed’ model.

1.2 Chilli Seed Chilli Seed is a new and innovative project centred on the ethos that the seed is the beginning of something which continues to develop or grow. The idea is that Chill Seed (see model below and excerpt from Chilli Studio’s 2016 promotional brochure for full explanation) supports members to grow their ideas into real sustainable ventures.

The model has been developed in a way which Chilli Studios believes supports their members to grow viable enterprises. In following the EPDA model, Chilli Seed is designed to promote engagement, participation, development, and achievement. Initially members’ ventures remain under the wing of Chilli Studios until they are ready to ‘go it alone’. Along members’ journey Chilli Seed intends to support members in enterprise activity, including managing external and internal expectations, and navigating the welfare benefits system in relation to earnings and benefit entitlement.

Whilst there are a number of members currently making their own work and beginning to engage in enterprise via the ‘Chilli Bizaar’ (a small retail run by Chilli Studios which is also run as a gallery space), Chill Seed has yet to be launched and delivered formally.

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1.3 Purpose and structure of the report The purpose of the report is to explore the Chilli Seed model with the following three objectives in mind: 1. To review existing literature relating to models of working which could be said to be comparable to the Chilli Seed model in the context of the current socio-political landscape; 2. To perform an early evaluation of the Chilli Seed model by exploring the thoughts and opinions of existing members of Chilli Studios; and 3. Based on the findings gathered from meeting objectives 1 and 2, make some tentative recommendations regarding future directions of the Chilli Seed model.

The following three sections of this report are designed to deal with each of the three objectives in turn.

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2. Literature Review 2.1 Socio-political context Over the last decade, third sector organisations such as Chilli Studios (formerly NAGAS) have been operating under what is termed by many politicians, policy makers, commentators and academics, as a context of ‘austerity’. In 2010 a Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government came to power and announced a programme of austerity to reduce public spending, lessening the government budget deficit and the welfare state; the NHS budget was ‘ringfenced’ and protected from funding cuts. That said, “mental illness causes almost a quarter of our burden of disease (22.8 per cent) yet receives only 11 per cent of NHS funding” and mental health services are regularly referred to as a “Cinderella service” (NHS England, 2013). As a response to this long standing criticism regarding the proportion of NHS spending on mental health services, the Health and Social Care Act 2012 created a new legal responsibility for the NHS to deliver ‘parity of esteem’ between mental and physical health by 2020. Additionally, there has been an investment of £400 million over four years in psychological talking therapies referred to as IAPT (Improving Access To Psychological Therapies programme) (Dept. of Health, 2011a:3; Dept. of Health, 2011c) as a way to help people with mental health problems improve personal relationships, including relationships which will facilitate employment, as they will “understand themselves better” (Dept. of Health, 2011b:48).

However, it is the third sector and organisations such as Chilli Studios which are often contracted to provide mental health services. A recent report from the King’s Fund (2015) suggests that: The reduction in the prices paid to mental health providers in 2014/15 (which exceeded reductions for hospitals providing physical health care) led many to conclude that institutional bias against mental health remains as strong as ever.

Due to the reduction of funding for third sector organisations, either as a result of the reduction in social care funding or a reduction in the prices paid to mental health providers, many third sector organisations have more recently endured budget or service cuts and/or closures in the name of ‘austerity’. For example, in 2011 it was predicted that the UK voluntary and community sector would lose around £911 million a year in public funding by 2015-16 (National Council for Voluntary Organisations, 2011). During 2011 £77 million of cuts were reported to the Voluntary Sector Cuts website (UK Civil Society Almanac, 2012).

It is not only third sector organisations experiencing cuts or a reduction in income as a result of the austerity programme. Welfare benefits for people who experience madness and distress such as ESA (Employment Support Allowance) and PIP (personal independence payments) have also been cut, and these benefits are becoming increasingly harder to qualify for (Grover and Soldatic, 2013). In 2011 43% of ESA claimants specified mental/behavioural disorders as their primary condition (UK Parliament, 2012:14). However, in 2013 six out of ten ESA claimants with a mental health condition or learning difficulty experienced a sanctioning of their benefits i.e. had their benefits stopped (Benefits and Work, 2014).

There is also growing body of literature which suggests disabled benefit claimants themselves often experience stigma and discrimination (Turn2us, 2012), particularly as a result of negative and

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stigmatising media coverage (Garthwaite, 2011; Briant et al., 2013). Mladenov (2014) explains how austerity policy measures discriminate against disabled people:

In the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008, disabled people in the UK have been hit disproportionately hard by austerity. Austerity measures have had a strong impact on economic redistribution, in terms of widening income inequalities between disabled and nondisabled people. Furthermore, austerity has had an impact on disabled people’s cultural recognition and political representation as well.

The recent reforms and policy environment surrounding contemporary social welfare provision and services for disabled people referred to above are increasingly based on conditionality, efforts to towards productivity, and specific efforts to ‘recover’. As some writers suggest, this is an attempt to shrink the ‘disability category’ and in doing so, it is the state which dictates eligibility for welfare provision and effectively defines what disability means (Roulstone, 2014). Similarly, there is an attempt by the state via contemporary mental health policy to redefine ‘recovery’ by rendering economic activity an imperative of recovery. It should also be noted that the ‘austerity programme’ has had a negative impact on the mental health of those it impacts e.g. via cuts in welfare and service provision. Furthermore, much of the focus of the austerity programme seems to disproportionately focus on individuals, particularly welfare benefit claimants, being in work or employed.

In part, and in response to austerity, Chilli Studios have developed the Chilli Seed model to assist members in their growth and create an income stream which does not see members (and indeed the studio) solely reliant on social welfare provision or charitable funding. It could be said that the Chilli Seed model is couched in the notion of enterprise which may echo some of the neoliberal rhetoric from which the current austerity programme was birthed. To explore further, the next section (2.2) considers comparable models which are said to be designed to encourage people into work or enterprise, and the subsequent section (2.3) considers, in the context of 2.1 and 2.2, the unique offer of the Chilli Seed model.

2.2 Comparable models As referred to in 2.1, a focus of the current programme of austerity is getting people into, or back into, paid work. In 2011 the coalition government introduced the welfare to work programme (or ‘work programme’- WP) which is delivered by the Jobcentre Plus and contracted organisations (DWP, 2012). In summary, claimants of Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) or Employment Support Allowance (ESA) are mandated to take part in the WP if they are in receipt of JSA or ESA after three to twelve months of claiming the benefit (rules vary depending on benefit claimed and age etc.). Failure to comply with the requirements of the WP (often ‘working’ 30+ hours a week in a ‘placement’ and regularly referred to as ‘workfare’) leads to sanction of benefit and loss of income. In November 2015 the DWP announced that it was replacing the WP with a new Work and Health Programme for the longer-term unemployed and those with health conditions; the mandatory work element will remain.

Although the purpose of this report is not to provide a critique of the WP model it should be noted that there is widespread criticism of this approach and way of working in terms of its effectiveness 8

for getting people back into work. The DWP seem to have based the design of the WP on the notion, and research which seems to suggest, that ‘work is good for you’ (e.g. DWP, 2006). However, the sanction of benefits (or indeed ‘threat’ of sanction) and the ‘type’ of work claimants are compelled to take up can be a major barrier to mental well-being. A further important point is that the WP is led by organisations with no prior relationship with the benefit claimant and does not seem to develop more supportive relationship built over time which would engender trust.

Other existing models which encourage people with mental health problems into work are less obvious, often delivered by third sector organisations, and operate with the objective that those they support will gain/improve employability skills. For example, supported volunteering schemes 1 are part of the contemporary socio-political context and formed an important element of the ‘Big Society’ rhetoric where volunteering was cited as a key building block of ‘Big Society’ and antidote to economic crisis (HM Government, 2011c). Volunteering is also government endorsed means of building social inclusion by helping individuals into work (HM Government, 2011b) and there has been an influx of referrals to supported volunteering schemes for people with mental health conditions (TSRC, 2012).

Steven Howlett (2004), senior research fellow at the Institute of Voluntary Research, undertook a literature review to explore whether it can be said that volunteering is beneficial for people with mental health problems. In doing so, Howlett explains that it is not necessarily clear that volunteering brings more benefits than any other type of participation (2004:55) and concludes (2004:69) by drawing our attention to the argument that: even if participation per se is the key factor rather than volunteering, it is a strength of volunteering that it includes key elements of participation: socialisation, altruism and meaningful engagement.

The key here it seems, echoing the criticisms of the work programme, is ‘meaningful engagement’.

For example, Wilson and Musick’s (1999) argue that there’s a positive link between social integration (i.e. how connected a person is to others) and self-reported evaluations of wellbeing. Elliot and Barris (1987) reported that in the “chronically disabled” participation in “meaningful roles” had a positive effect on life satisfaction.

In summary it seems that a strong contributory factor to good mental being whilst getting into work, along with good mental well-being whilst in work, is ‘meaningful activity’, i.e. activity people who experience mental distress find interesting and engaging, and with supportive relationships where there is a degree or trust and compassion. The next section considers the unique features of the Chilli Seed model in the context of the available literature relating to the models delineated in this section.

1 Volunteering England is an independent charity committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering; VE describe supported volunteering as “schemes where volunteers receive additional support in order to carry out their volunteering roles” (Volunteering England, 2012). Volunteering England cites “mental health issues” as a reason why an individual may require extra support which may take the form of a buddy, mentor or extra supervision sessions (Volunteering England, 2012).

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2.3 Unique features of Chill Seed Although Chilli Seed is in its infancy in terms of delivery, it is a model developed as a result of a recent project evaluation (Armstrong, 2014). This evaluation identified that the engagement, participation and development model worked very well for NAGAS members. However, the findings of the evaluation process led to a recommendation to develop the EPD model to include Achievement, and thus the EPDA model was created. The Chilli Seed model is a response to this, and whilst the Chill Seed model clearly works on the principles of engagement, participation and development, undertaking enterprise activity is more obviously related to ‘achievement’.

From the review of comparable models discussed in 2.2 it seems, in theory, Chilli Seed is able to deliver or facilitate meaningful activity. This is because, quite simply, the model encourages members to develop in their own art practice which is something in which they are clearly invested.

However, the Chilli Seed model does not do this/cannot do this via benefit sanctions which cause stress and anxiety. Instead, Chilli Studios proposes to work with members to ensure they are not disadvantaged financially and foster the supportive relationship to encourage members in their entrepreneurial pursuits. This element of the Chilli Seed model and the Chilli Studios way of working makes it strikingly different to any government-administered programme ‘encouraging’ people into work.

Working with members to manage their financial situation is something unique to Chilli Seed.

Furthermore, encouraging enterprise activity within the context of a supportive environment and the supportive relationships within that context is also a unique element of Chilli Seed. Forrester-Jones and Barnes (2008) claim that social support can play a vital role in assisting individuals experiencing distress to manage a less stigmatising identity than that of “being sick”. For example, community support may help forge a more positive identity such as “volunteer” or “artist” or “activist” or “adult learner” or “student” rather than “schizophrenic”. Similarly, Scheyett (2005) believes the key to challenging stigma is to adopt an empowering and affirming model of disability, drawing on a “strengths” perspective. To ensure the provision of non-stigmatising support, Burns (2004) suggests that professionals, such as those employed by Chill Studios and involved with delivering the Chili Seed model, ought to exhibit personal traits or characteristics such as compassion, enthusiasm, empathy, tolerance and an ability to understand the viewpoints of people they support. Previous studies stress the importance of a safe space for refuge, social contact and meaningful occupation (Bryant et al., 2011), where people are accepted “without question” (2011:618). Following Bleach and Ryan (1995) it seems that it is interpersonal qualities that members value which influence and engender trust; including warmth, acceptance and honesty (Maluccio, 1981) and support administered in a social context is believed to be beneficial (Parr, 2007). Members feelings supported in a way which engender feelings of well-being can mitigate negativity experienced elsewhere (Armstrong, 2016) and the key to this is time, space, and an environment which is not overtly pressurised with targets etc. (Armstrong, 2016:213). This is echoed by the benefits of other supportive programmes intended to encourage people who experience mental distress into work.

For example, rehabilitating and re-integrating people into mainstream society and forming part of the recovery process (CSV, 2008), providing opportunities for people to learn new skills (Clark, 2003) and enhancing a person’s ability to ‘manage’ their ‘condition’ (Thoits and Hewitt, 2001), and providing focus for people experiencing mental distress to use their time “meaningfully” (Shimitras et al, 2003; Wilson and Musick, 1999).

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The literature suggests that key contributory factors to the success of Chilli Seed are both the financial security it can ensure in terms of protecting benefit claims until members are able to work and sustain themselves, and the existing supportive relationships between staff and members in which members trust the staff. Furthermore, the type of work members will be involved in via the Chilli Seed model is ‘meaningful’ for them. Whilst there is a focus on enterprise and achievement, the goals are unique to each individual and each member is supported as an individual getting to where they want to go, rather than fulfilling government agendas in the form of the WP or the aims of voluntary organisations in respect of supported volunteering.

2.4 Summary ‘Austerity’ has made things increasingly difficult for third sector organisations to survive, resulted in the reduction of health services, and had a detrimental impact on disabled people and people who experience mental distress. The Work Programme was, and is, the government’s flagship initiative under austerity, and has been heavily criticised for impacting negatively on benefit claimant’s wellbeing as a result of benefit sanctions and inappropriate placements. Simultaneously, supported volunteering projects became more popular as a result of the ‘Big Society,’ but the focus here is on ‘softer skills’ and helping local communities rather than focusing on work or self-sustainability. It seems that Chilli Seed has the potential to provide a model which supports meaningful activity in a focused way which can ensure members who take part can achieve their goals with the relative safety of a protected income. The following section takes into account some preliminary empirical work which explores the opinions of existing Chilli Studios members.

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3. Exploring the Chilli Seed model with studio existing members 3.1 Method of exploration Chilli Seed is currently in its infancy in terms of its delivery. In order to explore the idea and ethos of Chilli Seed with current Chilli Studio members we selected open questionnaires as a method to gather preliminary opinions of the new model. The questions were developed in conjunction with the studio manager of Chilli Seed and sent to a purposive sample of 25 existing members currently engaged, or likely to be engaged, in some enterprise activity, and considered by staff to be ‘ready’ for the Chilli Seed model. This method was selected as an exploratory exercise and it is expected that further work will be done with members in future projects to monitor and evaluate the Chilli Seed model. From the 25 questionnaires sent out, 11 were returned; the following subsection details and summarises the responses from each of the 5 open questions on the questionnaire.

3.2 Responses from members 1. What are the good parts about the proposed Chilli Seed model and why?

The responses from members suggested that the proposed model was a good way to build confidence and identified that the support provided by Chilli Studios was key to this: This model and support helps you be more confident with your work…and might want to start your own business eventually.

It is a win-win situation where you are supported if you go ahead, also if you feel you are going nowhere there is still full support.

Particularly important to members was the value of Chilli Studios in not pigeonholing members and supporting them as individuals in a holistic manner: I have attended several courses recently and they all appear to me to be content in pigeonholing people’s problems. The chilli seed model is the first one that wants to help me move forward.

Many members did want to reduce their dependency on benefits and described the model as being a supportive/safe way of doing this: Tricky for emerging artists to begin to sell work without affecting benefits. This may enable artists to make bigger plans.

Possibility of reduced dependency on benefits, other forms of self-sufficiency, increased selfesteem.

You don’t have to worry or stress about losing your benefits. It is an investment for the future and this gives you a realistic goal to work towards.

Having structure and ‘something to aim for’ was described by many members as a positive of the Chilli Seed model:

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Gives a workable way of becoming part/full time artists selling our work which would be beneficial for people interested in that and also gives us something to aim for.

It helps people to go forward in life.

Some members went onto explain the possibility of being ‘self-employed’ in something they were passionate about was something positive to aim for: Helping people to progress into self-employed work giving them the funds to fulfil their dreams.

Possible route to self-employment.

The technical advice from staff and the interpersonal support was also described by some members as having therapeutic value: Helping people move further with their art skills which keeps them interested which keeps them distracted and a deeper focus which as a person with psychosis aids my relaxation and a quicker recovery.

2. Do you feel this proposed model would be supportive? (If so, how do you feel it could support you? If not, why may you not feel supported?)

Existing members felt that the interpersonal support from staff and the longstanding relationships with staff was an element of the model which members felt positive about: The staff are friendly and approachable. I have recently joined the group and feel a lot more comfortable than when I went on the other courses.

Having worked within this framework I feel very of confident of support.

I do indeed, the studio has supported me so far in my life trials and will continue to be a vital part of my life and personal development.

As identified above, this was down to the one to one support but also the artistic advice and guidance: Sound advice.

I think with help and guidance from staff it would be supportive as I often can’t tell what’s needed in order to improve as an artist.

Although some members recognised the supportive ethos of the model, they felt that it wasn’t necessarily suited to their needs because it didn’t fit with their plans or their own developmental goals: Supportive yes, but not for me. If I was to sell CD’s/gig I need to practice and work at it independently.

Yes, for those who would consider furthering their craft, not for me personally as I am already furthering my career through my university degree.

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I think it is catered more to people wishing to move into self employment. Myself I would like to move into employment as an art technician and I don’t understand how Chilli Seed would help me.

A few members felt that they might not feel supported if there was pressure to achieve certain things: It may make me feel pressured.

3. How might the Chilli Seed model develop to support you more?

Members seemed to feel that the relationship with staff was important to retain: By working with the staff I feel as if I am being listened to and helped to achieve my goals.

In a similar vein, ongoing support was cited as being very important: Well there is the promise of members being supported and nurtured every step of the way. I have every confidence in it.

Regular reminders about Chilli Seed and how it operates were important to a few members: Given the right information over time at regular intervals to remind me it exists and there is a chance I might use it.

Peer mentoring and working with peers in a supportive environment was identified by one member as important: Gives me mentoring with peers I respect.

Most members identified how practical support, in varying forms, was important to the success of the Chilli Seed model: By dealing with the finances.

Giving me the training at Chilli Studios by passing college/university which this year my care team have told me I can’t manage.

Having someone to help me approach other selling outlets might be good.

4. Do you think Chilli Seed will have any impact on your well-being and/or plans for the future? Please explain your answer if possible.

There were reservations from many members about the direction and route the Chilli Seed model may take, particularly if it alters the existing supportive and nurturing environment: Depends on how I am treated and what rules and regulations come in in the future.

Overpowering the studio environment moving it to being a rehab (employment unit) projectfrom its current use to improving the members well-being, a relaxing environment where the community is together with a positive vibe to a busy training unit.

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Many members felt that coming off benefits would boost confidence, improve self-esteem, and in moving forward in life: The idea to help me with my goals and ring fencing all earnings until I am capable of standing on my own, if even possible, is a confidence booster.

Yes because I want to start my own business and I have been inhibited because of cost and keeping the investment going because otherwise I would have to do this without benefits and it wouldn’t be realistic.

Yes may be a route to self-sufficiency i.e. off the benefit system.

A few members commented that they felt the model would ‘give them a purpose’ and reduce the negative impact of diagnostic labels: I think Chilli Seed would be beneficial not just in support but would give you something to up in the morning and feel they have a purpose instead of being labelled like a lot of people with Mental Health issues.

One respondent described how they would need to master other things before they felt that they were suitable for the Chill Seed model: At the moment I still haven’t mastered a few things but eventually I might need the support of Chilli Seed.

Other members stated how the Chill Seed model wouldn’t be for them because: I would like to retain control over my own artworks and any evolving business.

Finally, other members commented that the impact of Chilli Seed on their mental well-being would be dependent on how much success they have: That may depend partly on how much success I have, or at least feel like I’m heading in the right direction.

5. Do you have any other comments relating to the Chilli Seed model which you think are important for this evaluation?

In terms of general comments, some members highlighted how promotion of the model was important for members and prospective members: With enough posters/mentions I believe the model will be taken up and beneficial to many members in the long run. It is a fine, positive idea.

There were some reservations from members who were unsure about the direction of their work and also concerned about the environment changing if members were ‘pushed’ to achieve: Personally I am unsure whether I want to work in the art industry and I value the Chilli Studios current set up and worry it may become more intense and not so relaxed and warm.

One member felt that if they could earn a living via the Chilli Seed model, that Chilli Seed should take a commission: 15

Should I find myself in a position to earn with the help of this establishment I think an agreed percentage may be deducted in order to help others.

Overall the responses were positive and praised the model for its uniqueness: It’s a great idea, genius, I personally need support harnessing my business and making it structurally sound and having guidance to have good management basis and someone to turn to when things don’t go right will encourage us to keep going in business.

As in responses to other questions members were asked, the initial protection of benefit income was of paramount importance: Try it and test it out, as long as benefits are protected initially.

3.3 Key points and Summary The purposive sample used to explore existing member opinion of the Chilli Seed model was relatively small and cannot be said to be representative of all members. However, this empirical exercise does enable us to begin to understand important thoughts and opinions of the model from those who are most likely to use it. Furthermore, this exercise did not take into account the opinion of prospective members; this should be part of a larger evaluative study as the model progresses and is put into practice. It seems inevitable that Chilli Seed won’t ‘be for everybody’ as not all members, or prospective members, are necessarily aiming to be involved in enterprise activity related to their artistic pursuits and practice. This is something Chilli Seed are aware of and should remain aware of.

In terms of summarising the key points:  

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The feedback on the model is generally very good, positive, enthusiastic, and supportive of the idea and the ethos behind Chilli Seed; Emotional support and technical advice were identified by member participants as being of key importance in respect of whether they thought being involved in Chilli Seed would result in ‘success’ for them; Member participants expect their levels of confidence, self-esteem, and technical skills to improve via involvement in Chilli Seed and reported that they felt this would also contribute to an overall improvement in their wellbeing; This improvement in wellbeing was also attributed by members to being able to reduce their dependency on benefits in a ‘safe’ and secure way which would not jeopardise their financial security; and Some members expressed reservations relating to whether this new and more entrepreneurial model would result in the studio environment being more pressurised with increased rules and regulations.

These points will be revisited in more depth in the following section which discusses what the findings from the literature review and the questionnaires might mean for the Chili Seed model and the staff members developing and delivering it.

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4. Significance of findings, recommendations, and conclusions 4.1 What do the findings in this report mean for Chilli Seed?

Section 2 of this report highlights how there has been cuts to both statutory mental health services and funding available to the third sector to provide support services. The cuts to mental health services are thought by many to be disproportionate to cuts to other health services, and the context of austerity has seen a state shrinking of the disability category in terms of who is entitled to benefits, and increasing conditionality for state support. For its survival and success, it is important that the Chilli Seed model is considered in light of both the socio-political climate and what we know about helping people in receipt of benefit income to be more ‘self-sufficient’, and how people who experience mental distress are best supported in their personal recovery.

Chilli Seed has developed so that both the funding and delivery of the model rely less on charitable funding, and more on the entrepreneurial activity of its members. That said, Chilli Studios may benefit from some charitable funding to further think through the model, operate a number of pilots, and develop its infrastructure further. Two extremely positive aspects of Chilli Seed, identified via both the literature review and the member questionnaires, are the protection of benefit income and the ensuing sense of security for members, along with the fostering of existing supportive relationships between staff and members. Both of these elements are identified in this report of being of vital importance, and often absent in any other comparable model. Chilli Seed harnesses the idea that ‘good work is good for you’ and encourages members to be involved meaningful engagement by encouraging them to participate which has shown to improve well-being. Members do seem to believe that the Chilli Seed model could contribute to confidence building, giving them a purpose, along with the important offer of artistic and business advice.

The reservations members expressed in respect of the Chilli Seed model echo the negative aspects of existing return to work programmes. Models which are too prescriptive, or pressurised environments and goals, are a concern for members. Furthermore, some members seem to think that the Chilli Seed model may not be for them if they are involved in working towards a degree or working in a non-arts context. This is perhaps something that the staff involved in Chilli Seed need to think about, possibly by making clearer the advantages of being involved in the model, even if their goal is not self-employment or working in the creative arts.

The key to the success of Chilli Seed seems to be about the trust between staff and members, members being engaged in meaningful activity, members being encouraged rather that pressurised, and the financial security promised by the Chill Seed model. The focus for Chilli Seed is, and ought to remain, on working with each individual member to develop unique goals and provide or co-ordinate the support necessary for each particular member to achieve those goals, whatever they may be.

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4.2 Points to consider and tentative recommendations The Chilli Seed model developed as a result of the findings from an evaluation of Chilli Studio’s project evaluation in 2014. The model is yet to be rolled out to members for general delivery and this section provides some considerations and tentative recommendations for the staff developing the Chilli Seed model. These 10 points to consider and recommendations are based on findings from a literature review of existing and comparable models in this contemporary socio-political climate (Section 2), along with some exploratory empirical questionnaires with members who staff identified as appropriate for the model (Section 3). 

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Piloting the Chilli Seed model with a group of identified members and a subsequent evaluation involving more in depth interviews may be useful for further developing the model.

Charitable funding could be sought to support this pilot activity and ensure the infrastructure such as staff support is in place to ensure solid delivery of the Chilli Seed model. Perhaps more intensive staff support in the first instance would be useful, this more intensive support can be withdrawn over time as the model gains momentum and sustainability.

The recent ACE and Community Foundation mentoring project may provide a springboard for project pilots and the members selected to be involved in the pilots.

Member involvement is integral to ensure the Chilli Seed model continues to be what members want. Thus, setting up a Chilli Seed steering group with member, staff, and trustee representation could be a useful tool to ensure involvement at every level.

The Chilli Seed model is an innovative idea which businesses may be interested in investing in as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) both as a direct financial investment and but also potential skills investment/reciprocal arrangements.

Although the Chilli Seed model is already well developed and thought through, clearly publicising the model and explaining how it works to existing and prospective members might prove tricky. Some tangible examples may be useful when Chilli Studios are thinking about putting together further literature about the model i.e. on the website, in member information, and perhaps even an animation which would show different members and what they could potentially achieve via the model.

Peer support was mentioned as being important for the successful delivery of Chilli Seed, if members are working side by side on different and individual aims, there might be scope for a more formal peer support group or member collective which could feed into any steering group.

Good welfare benefits advice is key to the successful delivery of this project; perhaps Chilli Studios need to think of developing a partnership with the DWP and/or organisations which can advise on the technical and financial element of Chilli Seed i.e. permitted work rules.

This may be in the form of direct employment, freelance, collaborations, or contractual arrangements.

Staff working on Chilli Seed may want to think in more detail about the versatility of the model and the message that is being sent out. Many members seemed to think that if they are pursuing a degree, or wanting to work in other non-arts context that the Chili Seed model is not be suitable for them. There is scope for integration and for members to gain from the model even if their goal is not self-employment in the creative arts, how this happens may need to be thought through more and communicated more clearly to members and prospective members in order to maximise involvement in the model.

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Sharing good practice and introducing the model to other organisations who may wish to pilot similar models may help develop the model further. For example, using Chilli Studio’s involvement the NEASP (North East Studio Art Studios Partnership) to roll out the model, gage expert opinion, involve members from other studios, or pilot the model in different geographical areas may be useful.

4.3 Conclusion In summary, Chilli Seed is an innovative model to encourage member participation in arts based practice and support individuals to develop streams of income closely related to their artistic practices. This report has identified that there is much potential in the Chilli Seed model; it has been well received at this preliminary stage, and ‘fills a gap’ in terms of what is available for people wanting to create work from their artistic practices. The ten points for consideration and recommendations identified above in 4.2 are suggested for Chilli Studios staff working on Chilli Seed to explore further. Taking up some of the recommendations which staff think are suitable has the potential to strengthen the chances of success for Chilli Seed and scope the way for further work.

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