Theatre Hullabaloo are inviting individuals or organisations with significant experience in evaluating the social impact of arts projects to partner with them to better understand the effect of the Hullabaloo Baby Play Pack Programme on the experience of new babies and their families, a group adversely affected by the pandemic.
Theatre Hullabaloo are inviting individuals or organisations with significant experience in evaluating the social impact of arts projects to partner with them to better understand the effect of the Hullabaloo Baby Play Pack Programme on the experience of new babies and their families, a group adversely affected by the pandemic.
Background
Theatre Hullabaloo is an arts charity committed to ensuring that creativity is part of everybody’s childhood. Based in Darlington at The Hullabaloo, a purpose-designed theatre for children, we produce, programme and present world-class performance, creative play installations and events targeted specifically at young audiences and their families. We have a particular specialism in creativity in early years.
The Context
One of the hidden impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the increased social isolation and associated impacts felt by families with new parents. A significant rise in reported cases of Post Natal Depression since April 2020 has coincided with a reduction in formal and informal support mechanisms that are a lifeline for many families with new babies.
Recognising this concerning trend, Theatre Hullabaloo developed a creative play pack for parents of babies under 12 months old and an accompanying set of short films that modelled good play practice and encouraged families to read, sing, play and bond with their little ones. Baby Play Packs – Theatre Hullabaloo. The programme was piloted in the summer and autumn of 2020 with 1,200 packs distributed across Darlington, Redcar and Middlesbrough in partnership with Health Visitors and Family Hubs.
With support from Tees Valley Combined Authority, Theatre Hullabaloo are now able to grow and develop the pilot and distribute a further 1,250 packs to families across Tees Valley.
The Brief
As an organisation we are deeply committed to being of greatest benefit to children and their families and, alongside the further roll out of the packs, we are also commissioning an evaluation of their impact.
Conducted through a person-centred approach, the evaluation report should enable us to explain clearly and accurately the benefits of the programme to a broader range of stakeholders and funders across the arts, health and wellbeing.
How can creative play support parental confidence and raise awareness of the importance of parental engagement on bonding and attachment?
Is there is a tangible effect on the levels of Post Natal Depression suffered by many new parents? What other creative opportunities people would welcome to support them and their baby as we transition to a post-Covid world.
How might the packs support Health Visitors and others in perinatal mental health teams in their engagement with families?
We are interested in working collaboratively to develop an evaluation framework and methodology which will give us insight into these issues.
Timetable
Further rollout of 1,250 packs will commence again in early March 2021. The project must be completed and reported on by end May 2021.
Deadline for tender responses: 4th March 2021
Virtual Interviews: w/c 8th March 2021
Appointment of Evaluators: By 12th March 2021
Evaluation Framework developed and data gathering: Mid-March 2021 – end April 2021
Final Evaluation Report: 20th May 2021
We may look at extending the evaluation period with a small number of families over a longer period subject to additional funding.
Budget
Theatre Hullabaloo can provide a maximum budget of £9,000 (including VAT) to support this work. Please include all costs in your budget as there is no additional funding available at this time.
Reporting Requirements
Ongoing contact and collaboration with Miranda Thain, Artistic Producer, Theatre Hullabaloo by video calls and email.
An agreed evaluation framework and plan for delivery that meets the needs of the brief.
A final evaluation report suitable to be shared with stakeholders and funders.
We welcome the use of creative research methods and storytelling and expect evaluators to conduct interviews from a person-centred perspective.
If you have any queries, please email Miranda Thain, mirandathain@theatrehullabaloo.org.uk