People United partnered with Newington Big Local in a multi-year participatory community arts project called The Best of Us.

The Best of Us uncovered stories, both past and present, that illuminated the best human characteristics and strengths of the people in Newington, Ramsgate and beyond.

Together, residents, artists, schools and community groups gathered stories of bravery, citizenship and zest, revealing and celebrating the commonalities between people regardless of difference.

The Best of Us is making more people socialise, it’s bringing people’s inner sides out and putting us together - and it’s making something big for our community. Samantha, Creative Champion

An intergenerational group of residents called the Creative Champions collaborated with artist-in-residence Nova Marshall to co-create artwork, host creative events and programme a community arts festival called Best Fest.

What a wonderful, life affirming afternoon! We came to Best Fest for an hour, stayed for three and didn’t do everything. Our hearts are happier and the much needed focus on kindness & the community will linger. Thank-you! Visitor, Best Fest

During The Best of Us 6,200 people participated in 220 events and workshops and 23 artists co-created 50 artworks with the community.

Nova continues to work in the Newington community, leading a weekly youth group called Chill Club. Best Fest became an annual community-led event.

Photo of a group of about 30 people in a hall or community centre with various tables and chairs with flowers and sandwiches on them. The people are all facing the camera and cheering with his arms in the air.
The Best of Us © Manu Palomeque
Photo of a hall or community centre with people milling about. In the foreground an older woman is sitting in a wheelchair next to a table with biscuits and an ornate cup and saucer. The woman is mid conversation with a woman who is standing next to the table and they're both laughing.
The Best of Us © Manu Palomeque
Photo of a child wearing a plastic apron and rubber gloves holding 2 spray bottles full of paint/dye up to the camera
The Best of Us © Jason Pay
A photo of four people standing in a residential street and wearing bright sequin jackets, one pink, one gree, one red and one gold. They are each playing a different brass instrument.
The Best of Us © Manu Palomeque
A photo of a playing field with a large art installation. The installation consists of various large blue fabric bulbs hanging down from a network of blue fabric tubes which are strung up in the air using wires attached to nearby trees. About 10 people are grouped around the hanging bulbs, some holding or touching them.
Hug Bag by Thor McIntyre-Burnie, Chloe Osborne and Kati Francis © Ben Gold
A photo taken at night-time outside a building with stairs in front. At the top of the stairs is a large white rectangular light board glowing. On the board in black capital letters it reads: I’ve been waiting for someone to discover me.
a Newington Story / The Best of Us by Leandro Stafford
A photo of a young boy in yellow shorts reaches up. He is standing infront of a smooth white wall. There are large black moveable letters. The photo only shows part of the wall so now words can be read but there are about 12 letters partly visable. He is placing the letter 'a' in front of the letter d.
a Newington Story / The Best of Us by Leandro Stafford

Filmmaker Tim Knights followed the project The Best of Us over two years. This film tells the story of the project and the brilliant people who participated such as Creative Champions Chanese and Symone.

The Best of Us © Tim Knight
Download The Best of Us Report
Group 930