Emma Louise’s story:

I started on the Community Connections South project, working with Cambridge Community Arts, because I wanted to undertake paid work within the limitations of my health condition. I suffer from Meniere’s disease which has an impact on my physical and mental health. Some days I am unable to do anything.

The project has helped me to update my CV so that the bias is on my creative skills which is the area I would now like to focus on.

I have also explored producing artwork to sell and am increasing my stock. I have explored possible outlets, so that when opportunities open up after Covid-19 regulations are relaxed I will be ready to approach local businesses and attend craft fairs to sell my work.

I have also started a course on Running a Craft Business and enrolled on a further course on How to Sell your Creative Work. This will increase my knowledge on the various aspects of running a business and help me to develop my skills in areas such as marketing and social media.

Reaching my goal of earning money working from home in a creative way will help me to work at the times when I am feeling well and earn money from my sewing skills without having to commit to a formal work pattern which is not possible for me to maintain.

Without the help of the project I wouldn’t have been able to do all of this. With the help of regular meetings I feel I have really achieved something.



                       Community Connections South is funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund