Can I become a member?
A pound buys you a share in East Marsh United, and a vote on everything we do. Over 16 and care about our aree? You’re in.
Why Join?
Joining East Marsh United is a way to show you believe in and support our purpose and aims.
It also allows you to have a say in how we do things as an organisation.
Be Informed
As a member you’ll be kept up to date with everything we’re working on, alongside what we’ve achieved and our goals for the future.
Get Involved
All members can take part in what we’re doing to improve our area – including online services like time banking.
Have Your Say
Members can vote on our future plans and direction. You can also choose who leads East Marsh United, or even stand to lead yourself.
What does becoming a member involve?
East Marsh United is registered as a Community Benefit Society (CBS). This means the society is owned by and accountable to its members.
In practice, this means:
- Membership is open to all people and organisations who support our aims.
- Individuals must be at least 16 years of age to become a member.
- The committee may refuse applications at its discretion.
- Members participate in decision-making at general meetings and elect the board of directors.
- All members have an equal say: one member, one vote.
- Members are kept informed through the AGM and annual report.
Frequently asked questions
Other bits and pieces you might need to know
Who are East Marsh United?
East Marsh United is a community-led organisation working to improve life on the East Marsh since 2017.
East Marsh Community Ltd. was established in 2020 as a Community Benefit Society, registered with the Financial Conduct Authority in England & Wales (number 8310). Its registered office is The Courtyard, Freeman Market, Freeman Street, North East Lincolnshire DN32 7DS. It was set up by East Marsh United to manage and protect our community-led housing.
On 4 November 2025, we successfully completed the transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), strengthening our charitable status and ensuring our work continues for community benefit.
What are we trying to achieve?
Our charitable aims are to:
- Develop the capacity and skills of the socially and economically disadvantaged community of East Marsh — and the wider Grimsby area — so people can better identify and meet their needs and take part fully in society.
- Relieve those in need due to youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage, principally through the provision of ethically managed housing.
- Provide facilities for recreation and leisure in Grimsby to improve the lives of residents, regardless of age, beliefs or background.
- Advance other charitable purposes for the public benefit, particularly for individuals and communities in East Marsh and Grimsby.
This is what our charity is legally required to do. What they mean is simple. We can help people learn new skills. We can help people get a decent home. We can put on things to do. And we can do anything else that makes life better here.
Who Can Become a Member?
Anyone – as long as you’re at least 16 years old and passionate about helping the East Marsh!
Why Are You Asking Members to Pay?
The one-time membership fee of £1 buys you one share in our society and gives you the power to vote on how we’re run.
- You can choose to voluntarily pay more than £1, which counts as a one-off donation.
- Only one share is issued per member, no matter the amount paid, so every voice is equal.
What is a community benefit society?
Put simply, being a community benefit society means the houses we buy belong to the East Marsh. Not to a landlord. Not to any of us individually. Nobody can ever sell them off to make money. That is what a Community Benefit Society means, and it is why we set one up.
Being a community benefit society means we can have:
- Property owned by the community, for the community.
- A member-led organisation where local people vote on how EMU is run.
- Investment in the East Marsh through community shares.
The legal status of a CBS protects any property we own. It ensures it must always be used for community benefit. In other words, it means we can provide ethically managed, affordable housing and a flourishing community hub for proud East Marshians.
