Purpose Clift and Morrison (2011) report that weekly singing over eight months for people with enduring mental health issues led to clinically important reductions in mental distress. The purpose of this paper is to test the robustness of the earlier findings. Design/methodology/approach Four community singing groups for people with mental health issues ran weekly from November 2014 to the end of 2015. Evaluation place over a six-month period using two validated questionnaires: the short Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE-10) questionnaire, and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). Findings In all, 26 participants completed baseline and follow-up questionnaires. CORE-10 scores were significantly reduced, and WEMWBS scores significantly increased. Comparisons with the earlier study found a similar pattern of improvements on CORE items that are part of the “problems” sub-scale in the full CORE questionnaire. There was also evidence from both studies of participants showing clinically important improvements in CORE-10 scores. Research limitations/implications The main limitations of the study are a small sample size and the lack of a randomised control group. Originality/value No attempts have been made previously to directly test the transferability of a singing for health model to a new geographical area and to evaluate outcomes using the same validated measure.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to develop "techno-change alignment" as an approach for evaluating the effectiveness of large-scale technology-enabled organisational change, commonly associated with the adoption of enterprise information systems (IS). Design/methodology/approach -By developing a processual analysis of techno-change, useful insights are developed concerning techno-change alignment, within the confines of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) case study. Recent techno-change literature, emerging ideas on human agency, cultural and social relations are incorporated as part of the evaluation approach taken. The paper also discusses the implications of more recent work on techno-change and suggests directions for future research. Findings -In terms of "structural" alignment, the ERP system was chosen because it reflected requirements of the case study in the university/education sector. As part of "strategic and intellectual" alignment, business processes were reviewed, as well as alignment with university aims and strategy goals. "Social and cultural" alignment between different groups of users is paramount for effective integration and re-embedding of relationships and activities once techno-change is introduced. Wider implications of processual alignment suggest that bringing users and stakeholders together as human agents for techno-change within a high priority communication environment is essential for developing effective social relationships. Originality/value -Given the difficulty of developing usable evaluation mechanisms for techno-change and complex enterprise information systems, the contribution of this article is the demonstration of an effective interpretative (processual) IS evaluation approach, which the authors refer to as "techno-change alignment".

This study explores the impact of creative arts on the health and well-being of six selected young adults who participated in productions at a performance and entertainment venture ('The Club'). The qualitative design incorporates in-depth interviews with performers and producers to uncover their stories and experiences, from which key themes are drawn. The study uncovers a number of physical, mental and psychosocial benefits, including empowerment, the learning of new skills, creating and maintaining positive relationships, enhanced confidence and resilience, opportunities for self-expression, and engagement in meaningful activities. Challenges to well-being are also elicited regarding the sometimes negative impact of creative roles on health and well-being. The findings align with evidence from previous studies about the benefits of creative arts in terms of health and well-being promotion. Suggestions for community-based interventions incorporating creative arts are made, including the need for further research in this area.

One of the key challenges for the training of healthcare professionals (HCPs) is to maintain a good understanding and knowledge of new assistive technologies (ATs) that are currently on the market [1]. Indeed, at present, available training on ATs is limited and does not meet the practice-related needs of HCPs. It is in this context that the ADAPT European project aims to develop a new AT training programme for healthcare professionals, which will also introduce them to the project’s new AT developments - a smart powered wheelchair and a virtual reality wheelchair-driving simulator. The program consists of six multimodal units; five delivered via e-learning and one through a blended method of e-learning and face-to-face sessions. The development of the content is guided by findings from an earlier literature review and an online survey of AT training needs for HCP’s, both undertaken by the ADAPT cross-national research team, comprised of UK and French experts. The level of technical difficulty increases with successive units in order to train all HCPs to use innovative ATs more widely in their practice. A Learning Management System enables the dissemination of the e-learning AT program. Preliminary results from participant unit-specific evaluations available at this stage are overall positive and encouraging.

Initiatives to increase effective, low-cost self-management are essential to the sustainability of care for type 2 diabetes (T2D), however research shows that there is currently no standard approach. The DWELL programme seeks to motivate and empower people with T2D to better self-manage their condition through focussed content underpinned by motivational interviewing. As part of the DWELL evaluation study, end-of-programme focus groups were conducted to elicit participant experiences. 33 focus groups with 153 participants (including a small number of partners) took place in the two UK DWELL delivery sites. The focus group data was subjected to thematic content analysis to elicit key themes. Findings indicate that DWELL participants are motivated through a desire for better knowledge and management of their diabetes. Facilitating factors of the programme include: facilitator and peer support; the holistic and autonomous approach which provides participants with the opportunity to better understand the condition and its impact on their whole lives; and a tailored individual approach. Barriers and suggested improvements include content and operational changes, which are fed back to DWELL facilitators as part of the process evaluation in order that they can continually update the programme. Participants report positive outcomes in terms of wellbeing, social and mental health, enhanced knowledge and positive lifestyle changes. These themes align with quantitative outcome measures for participants, including weight loss, reduced BMI and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), enhanced empowerment and improved eating behaviours and illness perceptions and control. Interim findings suggest that DWELL outcomes include improved health literacy, participant empowerment and self-management. These findings underscore the need to incorporate a holistic, tailored approach to structured patient education for T2D.