St Helens is a town on the borders of both Liverpool and Manchester, with a population of around 183,400 people. Historically, it was an industry town, known particularly for it’s coal mining, industrial glass making, pharmaceuticals and railway. Since the decline of industry in the UK, due in part to the dissolution of the unions, St Helens ranks highly in national deprivation statistics, with an average salary of £29,687 per year (compared to the UK average around £35,828). Historically, the town has not been culturally diverse and people here have limited travel horizons, but this is changing, with regeneration and increased movement around the North West of England.

St Helens also has long had a thriving network of creative people, partly due to it’s affordability, it’s relationship with neighbouring cities and government funding for the arts in the area. St Helens was an Arts Council priority investment area, with funding for both National Portfolio Organisations and Creative People and Places strands. Arts in the area is often seen as a social need for that can support people that live in the town. This marks it as a place known for it’s Socially Engaged Art, within the larger context of Liverpool City Region, where this is as much a priority within it’s arts programming and funding as it is part of the culture.

“There was a time when everyone in St Helens worked in the glass industry.”

My work currently brings together my knowledge and interests in social health and it’s history, that is, what effect the decline in industry continues to have on people who live in the town.