Our History

The Creative start project was initially set up in Wigan in 2010 and was a huge success in the area.

Within the first 18 months, they had four local public exhibitions, including an exhibition of 80 artworks at the Turnpike Gallery in Leigh. Artwork was exhibited at Sheffield United and Bury football clubs.

In 2011, Creative Start were invited by the NHS to take part in a Disability Awareness Day, where their work was viewed and praised by the Countess of Wessex.

Membership consistently increased along with our exposure and we produced in excess of 300 works of art.

In March 2013, after a move to Grimsby by Creative Start's director, Sam Delaney, he found that he could not identify any peer support/mutual aid groups within the local area that promoted abstinence-based recovery other than AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), and there were no NA (Narcotics Anonymous) groups meeting in the local area either.

Once again, Sam could see a need for a lived experience, peer-support group and a recovery arts workshop in the area to support local addiction services, local drop-ins and the local council.

Within a short time he was asked to deliver art workshops at two local drop-ins 'Care plus The Roundabout' and 'Harbour Place' and secured a small amount of ward funding from the local council to purchase art materials.

The groups were well received and Sam was successful in securing a larger bid through the council that enabled him to continue with the groups.

After receiving an award and support from UNLTD In Dec 2013 Sam used this award to help drive the Creative Start project. He also received financial support in sessional payments from both 'The Roundabout' and 'Harbour Place' that contributed to furthering the project.

Since being in Grimsby, Creative Start Arts in Health has created in excess of 250 artworks, set up and delivered peer support groups and arts in health workshops at all local addiction services including Harbour Place, Care Plus, The Roundabout, ADS, Foundations and Addaction.

We held our first local art exhibition; 'The Art of Recovery' at the Grimsby Fishing Heritage centre in 2014. The exhibition showcased the artwork from the artists and members of the project.