Over the last eight weeks we have worked with women from diverse communities in Chelmsford, promoting the health benefits of the Arts, and to support mental health and wellbeing.

As part of our Arts & Health in Chelmsford pilot project, three diverse creative practitioners delivered weekly sessions, specialising in traditional cultural arts and crafts from the Subcontinent, including Henna Art, Bhangra Dance and Rangoli making.

The project has been hugely successful, helping a range of people, from those living with dementia or Parkinson’s Disease, to those suffering from depression and Long-Covid.

Essex Cultural Diversity Project have also identified that many diverse communities in the area have limited engagement with arts and culture, due to lack of knowledge or access to the cultural offer in Essex. Some have extended families with low incomes, have long shift work hours, or are caring for elderly family members and children.

The project was an important intervention, breaking down barriers to cultural participation with diverse communities in and around Chelmsford. This was an excellent opportunity to promote wider health and wellbeing programmes through cultural activities, helping marginalsed communities access health services, advice and guidance.

The Arts & Health Project connected people from different diverse backgrounds and increased social interaction, improving community cohesion and garnering a greater sense of pride in the local area.

Overall, this pilot project evidenced that creative health is a growing strategic opportunity for health and cultural organisations to collaborate to address health inequalities, and support people to build healthier habits and become more physically active. This can improve emotional, cognitive, and sensory processing, reduce stress, and prevent and treat long-term health conditions that are putting pressure on the healthcare system.

Essex Cultural Diversity Project (ECDP) are affiliated members of The Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance.