Blackpool Grand Theatre and Blackpool Better Start share a deep commitment to working collaboratively with local communities, families, and children. This shared vision has fostered a strong partnership, with both organizations embracing a flexible, needs-led approach that prioritizes community leadership in shaping programs and initiatives.

The partnership recently embarked on an innovative creative evaluation project. By using storytelling and the arts, this approach complements traditional evaluation methods, offering a co-produced narrative that powerfully captures the real experiences of local communities. This reflective process not only highlights the impact of Better Start but also ensures that community voices remain central to its ongoing development.

For over a decade, Blackpool Better Start has been guided by its vision:

“A place in which families raise happy, healthy children who grow up to take pride in belonging to the community.”

Through evidence-based decision-making and collaboration with statutory and voluntary partners, Better Start has made lasting changes that improve outcomes for families across Blackpool.

Blackpool Grand Theatre plays a key role in this work by delivering creative community programmes that provide safe spaces for self-expression through storytelling. Initiatives like the Story-Led Resilience Programme empower children, young people, and adults to build personal resilience and foster a sense of belonging within their community.

Together, these efforts demonstrate how creativity and collaboration can drive meaningful change, leaving a legacy of stronger, more connected communities in Blackpool and beyond…