Project Background

For many years Disability Essex has run a Club Network consisting of social groups who perate as a line of support for people with disabilities, their carers and dependents across Essex.

After an extensive period of consultation across the network, Disability Essex found that a large percentage of disabled members had difficulties maintaining a healthy lifestyle and did not see their doctors often, leaving them worried about their health. This project grew out of the needs of these individuals.

The charity undertook research which highlighted the increasing health risks that people are facing as a result of factors including stress, poor diet and lack of exercise. Disability Essex are uniquely placed to access large numbers of people across the county, and our Pilot scheme showed a huge demand for the project, so we decided to create the Healthy Arts service with the overall aim of improving health for the population of Essex.