Newport Live and The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre are working in partnership with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) to develop and pilot an innovative Arts Referral programme integrated into the National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) in Newport.
This pioneering project will scope, design and test a creative health pathway within NERS, offering supervised therapeutic creative activity to adults experiencing mental health challenges, social isolation, and related health inequalities. The pilot will generate evidence on whether creative interventions can become a viable and scalable component of NERS in Wales.
As far as we are aware, this is the first time arts have been formally embedded within NERS in Wales.
To support delivery and learning from the pilot, we are recruiting for two freelance roles.
Freelance Evaluator
We are seeking an experienced Freelance Evaluator to design and deliver a robust mixed-method evaluation framework for this pilot programme.
The evaluation will draw on:
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Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and Patient Reported Experience Measures (PREMs)
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Qualitative interviews and/or focus groups
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Reflective learning with partners and the lead artist
Key Responsibilities
Evaluation Design
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Develop a tailored evaluation framework in collaboration with partners
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Align with existing NERS outcome measures where appropriate
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Identify appropriate quantitative and qualitative tools
Data Collection & Analysis
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Design and oversee baseline and follow-up measures
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Conduct interviews and/or focus groups with participants and stakeholders
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Analyse quantitative and qualitative data
Learning & Reporting
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Produce interim and final evaluation reports
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Identify key findings regarding:
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Comparative impact of creative vs exercise pathways
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Barriers and motivators for participation
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Scalability and sustainability potential
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Provide recommendations for future development
Sector Contribution
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Support dissemination of findings
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Contribute learning relevant to the wider Arts & Health sector
Person Specification
Essential
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Experience evaluating health, arts, or community-based interventions
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Strong understanding of mixed-method research design
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Experience working with wellbeing measures
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Ability to produce clear, accessible reports for multiple audiences
Desirable
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Experience evaluating NHS or public health programmes
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Knowledge of creative health / arts on prescription
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Familiarity with participatory evaluation approaches (e.g. Most Significant Change)
Contract Details
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Freelance contract
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Approx. 10 days
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Fee: £2,500
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Combination of in-person (Newport) and remote working
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Project dates: March – October 2026
How to Apply
Please submit a CV and a short email expressing your interest to Sharon Casey at sharon.casey@newportlive.co.uk.
If you prefer, you may submit a short video instead of a written email.
Deadline: Sunday 15 March 2026
Freelance Project Co-Ordinator
We are seeking an experienced Freelance Project Co-ordinator to support the delivery of this pilot programme from inception to completion.
Working closely with Newport Live (Lead Arts Partner), the NERS team at ABUHB, the lead artist, and an appointed external evaluator, the Co-ordinator will ensure smooth delivery, strong partnership working, and effective monitoring throughout the project.
Key Responsibilities
Project Co-ordination & Delivery
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Develop and manage a detailed project plan and timeline
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Co-ordinate meetings between arts, health and evaluation partners
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Support consultation sessions with patient groups and stakeholders
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Oversee the participant journey from referral to completion
Operational Co-ordination
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Liaise with NERS staff regarding referrals and scheduling
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Support the lead artist with logistics, venue arrangements, materials and access needs
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Ensure safeguarding and health & safety procedures are adhered to
Monitoring & Reporting
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Oversee the collection of monitoring data (in collaboration with the evaluator)
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Ensure diversity and inclusion monitoring is embedded
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Support interim and final reports for funders and partners
Partnership & Communication
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Act as a key point of contact between arts and health partners
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Support internal communications
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Contribute to learning documentation and dissemination
Person Specification
Essential
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Experience managing cross-sector projects (arts/health/community desirable)
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Strong understanding of partnership working
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Experience working with artists and community participants
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Excellent organisational and communication skills
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Knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion in participatory practice
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Confidence handling monitoring frameworks and outcome reporting
Desirable
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Experience of social prescribing or referral pathways
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Knowledge of creative health / arts in health practice
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Experience working with under-represented communities
Contract Details
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Freelance contract
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Approx. 16 days
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Fee: £4,000
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Based in Newport with some flexible working
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Project dates: March – October 2026
How to Apply
Please submit a CV and a short email expressing your interest to Sharon Casey at sharon.casey@newportlive.co.uk.
If you prefer, you may submit a short video instead of a written email.
Deadline: Sunday 15 March 2026
