East Marsh United – Creativity, Community Power and addressing the Social Determinants of Health

“The arts project has not been an add-on. It has been central to all that we do – informing our practice, and creating opportunity and joy for people in the community who benefit little from local or national cultural spending or investment.” – Josie Moon, East Marsh United, Health Inequalities Roundtable

East Marsh United (EMU) is a resident-led community group from the East Marsh of Grimsby, statistically one of England’s most deprived wards. The work is all designed to improve the lived experience of the residents and to grow community voice and power through partnership work, activity and development planning. EMU delivers projects that create community cohesion, and address inequalities to improve wellbeing and life expectancy.

Community arts and events delivery sit at the heart of all EMU do and they recognise the richness of the arts in engaging the community not just in positive activity but in meaningful dialogue. People come to sessions and as well as being creative they engage in important conversation, seek help and support, learn from each other and form friendships. This builds community cohesion. Working with small groups has brought about big changes for both practitioners and for those participating in the work. There has been a growth in confidence through engagement and of people making lasting commitments to projects. The writing group and choir are examples of creative spaces for safe expression and joyful creative activity.

EMU’s work is underpinned by core values of empathy, openness and trust. They believe that standing alongside people, working with them and not ‘doing to’ them is critical to success. EMU now provides opportunities designed to work towards creating a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable community, delivering work across housing and homes, community outreach, greening the neighbourhood, developing a community pub, and education and wellbeing, They are developing a community plan in partnership with the council and a community wealth building plan to work towards better housing, employment and opportunity for the coming generation.

Until EMU began work in 2017, local people were isolated in a community where violence, crime and fear had forced them behind their front doors. EMU works to create a safer space to live and has engaged and involved hundreds of local residents in activities, working with our many partners to overcome barriers to involvement.

‘We are not just a group, we are a group of people with shared passion, interest, and acquaintances. We are a social circle of different parts of the community, group of friends. A safe place. A place to be able to share our creativeness and make connections. But for me this is my therapy. My Peace. My family.’ – Writing Group member

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