Talent 25 is a longitudinal study that commenced in September 2019 in Leicester city and will run for 25 years. The study has several aims, including piloting a targeted four-year action research programme in Leicester that focuses on children in their early years and their families, to understand the interventions needed to increase cultural opportunities and engagement at the earliest possible point in a child’s life.
Additionally, the study seeks to identify the potential interventions to support increased engagement in creative activities by children and young people from in Leicester city. It is the first known longitudinal study examining the impact of participation in creativity and cultural engagement from early childhood for a period of 25 years.
The first cohort of children and parents joined the study in September 2019, and the final cohort (cohort 12) became part of the study in October 2023. The study engages 440 children and their parents across the City of Leicester. The families’ diversity reflects the vibrant and multicultural essence of the city. They comprise 34 nationalities and collectively speak an impressive array of 42 languages in addition to English. This linguistic diversity highlights the multicultural fabric of communities, enriching the study with a broad spectrum of cultural perspectives and experiences. Children join the programme between the ages of 3 and 12 months. Currently, the youngest child is one year old, and the oldest is six years old, therefore, the study is due to be completed in 2050.
1. A culturally, creatively engaged citizen and a lifelong participant in creative and cultural activity
2. Someone who has had the opportunity to achieve their potential and develop their talent as a creative practitioner
Bertha Ochieng is Professor of Integrated Health and Social Care at De Montfort University. She has extensive experience of health and social care provision as a clinician, an academic, and as a researcher working with community groups and health and social care providers. Her academic and research focus is on improving health and social care through the provision of high-quality education and research that provides positive results to marginalized and social disadvantage populations throughout the life span. Bertha’s strengths are in developing solutions for addressing the health and social care needs of socially disadvantaged populations and building relationships with community groups and practitioners in the health and social care sector. Her work has resulted in collaborations with diverse teams, comprising of, voluntary sector organizations, academics, NHS Trusts and social care teams locally, nationally and internationally.
Christopher joined Talent 25 in 2020 and is the Senior Research Programme Manager, bringing a unique blend of creative passion and operational discipline. With an MSc in International Business & Entrepreneurship and experience in high-end restaurant opening management, he possesses the strategic skills to drive growth. Christopher oversees the full scope of the Programme—from research to creative delivery—with a core mission to expand Talent 25's audience and impact. As a musician, and son of an artist, his work is deeply inspired by a personal understanding of the Arts' vital role in society.
Madeeha is the Finance Coordinator and Programme Assistant for Talent 25. She is the go-to person for keeping things organized and making sure the project runs without a hitch. With a background in economics, she brings a strategic and detail-oriented approach to her work, ensuring the logistics and administration align seamlessly. Madeeha enjoys working behind the scenes to support meaningful projects that engage communities and encourage participation.
Ruichao is a Research Assistant on the Talent 25 research programme, where she conducts qualitative research on creative engagement in early childhood. She holds a PhD in Creative Technologies, where she explored AI-driven emotion recognition to enhance live performances. She has led interdisciplinary projects, collaborated with artists and technologists, and developed audience engagement strategies that bridge theatre and digital innovation. A published interactive novelist and freelance writer, she applies narrative techniques and emerging technologies to expand creative participation and immersive storytelling. Her work explores the intersection of AI technology, theatre, and storytelling, advancing innovative approaches to audience engagement in both research and creative practice.
Olga is a Research Assistant on the Talent 25 research programme, she has 10 years of experience working with children, young people, and their families. She has collaborated with educational settings, social services, and police to assess needs and deliver mental health, academic, and psychological interventions. Her work spans roles as a family support worker, teaching assistant, drawing and talking practitioner, and a qualified psychology teacher. She holds an honors degree in Social Sciences (VMU) and a master's in health psychology (DMU) and has been a member of the British Psychological Society since 2021. Since 2022, Olga has worked as a qualitative and quantitative research assistant on projects including ‘Lifestyle – A Holistic Multi-Modal Approach for a Healthier Weight and More Active Lifestyle’ and ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing Evaluation.’ She is also a PhD student, exploring ‘Fuel Poverty Through Lone Mothers’ Eyes’ using photography and in-depth interviews methods.
Philippa is the Creative and Cultural Development Officer for Talent 25. With a deep commitment to the transformative power of music and creative pursuits, Philippa brings to the programme a mixture of experience and expertise including community-based music initiatives, event management, audience development, co-creation and partnership building. Fascinated by the role of music and the arts in our daily lives, her MA in Music (University of Nottingham) explored these themes with particular reference to the use of music within socio-political contexts.
With a BA in Fine Art, an MA in Multimedia Design (De Montfort University), and over 15 years of experience in a range of community engagement and communication roles, Josse joined us as a community connector in 2022. He’s passionate about projects that promote inclusivity, sustainability, and change, and specializes in crafting strategies that use technology and data to drive engagement and participation. Outside of work, Josse is passionate about cycling and enjoys exploring the world on two wheels.
We would like to express our deepest appreciation to Arts Council England (ACE) and De Montfort University (DMU) for funding this ground-breaking Talent 25 longitudinal research programme.
By 2030, we want a creative nation in which every one of us can play a part. England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish, and where every one of us has access to a remarkable range of high-quality cultural experiences. Let’s Create Strategy (2020–2030) Arts Council England
We work with a range of organisations and individuals to help us understand the impact of engaging in arts, creative and cultural activities from the early years. The organisations include NHS, Leicester City Council, several local voluntary and cultural organisations.