HERE North East: Intersecting Culture, Heritage, and Health

Through this, partners highlighted the lack of an historical record of the struggles of cultural organisations led by Black and global-majority people to achieve equality in the culture and society of the region. Archives and oral histories about cultural and community activism were collected and viewed as an important foundation for future generations of community volunteers, scholars, and professionals. A stakeholder event in January 2022 discussed a vision for establishing an intergenerational, intercultural community asset hub and heritage wellbeing centre: HERE North East. 

Our ambition is to develop a hybrid, mobile, and physical regional space that combines the strategic priorities of local authorities; NHS providers; grassroots community groups and individuals; the needs of higher education institutions; research centres; and their students and staff - all seeking opportunities for collaboration, community, and wellbeing. Our priority is to apply for further grants drawing on the health-related expertise at Durham University, and other partners, to support the development of a community research consortia that will work through HERE North East. The aim is to co-develop and train community-based researchers that can provide knowledge transfer activities on the potential benefits of arts-based, peer-led, health and wellbeing initiatives with the aim of understanding the impact of these activities for reducing health inequalities amongst marginalised communities. In turn, we aim to develop a series of activities wherein this intelligence can be fed into co-produced health service design and delivery through integrated health and social care service development networks. It is our hope that this project can act as a beacon for other regions struggling to tackle racialised health inequalities across the UK. 

In particular, HERE North East champions the cultural contributions, historical connections, and innovative networks of communities of colour and faith within the region; it also seeks to explore and develop strong links between heritage, cultural expression, and wellbeing. Moreover, it aims to do this in a region regarded as culturally monolithic and economically deprived. HERE North East recognises that culture, place, and wellbeing is central to developing strong, resilient and healthy communities, with knock-on impacts for levelling up and economic regeneration. 

Being based and owned by the community ensures engagement on fair and equal terms that have clear practical benefits to communities of colour and faith that have been historically marginalised. Ultimately, we believe this method of working can increase trust, accountability, and transparency not only for research collaborations but also for the development of better health services that can more efficiently meet the global health security challenges we currently face. For instance, helping to reduce vaccine hesitancy, increase service uptake and reach, and for protecting vulnerable staff working within health settings. 

As part of this we are recruiting a Project Administrator, salaried at £160 per day x 25 days (you will be responsible for paying your own tax and national insurance contributions) between December 2022 – February 2023 

To apply please send a short cover letter and CV to the HERE North East Steering Group at info@herenortheast.org by 5pm on 30^th November 2022

For more information please contact: jordan.c.mullard@durham.ac.uk