Over three years (2020-2023) we established a greater knowledge and understanding of community-led cultural activity.
In a context of growing inequality, the programme sought to “tilt the mirror” on negative perceptions of Peckham and use the arts to promote cross-cultural and cross-generational understanding; encouraging all residents to contribute to a new future for the area.
The programme put residents at its centre, providing a platform for those who often struggle to be heard in the process of the regeneration that is rapidly transforming our area.
Residents reclaimed Peckham’s public spaces as welcoming areas to come together – reinvigorated through performances, exhibitions and artistic interventions. Our neighbourhood’s vibrancy was celebrated, recognising the diversity of experiences and histories that contribute to Peckham’s unique identity.
An initial development phase established The Peckham Partnership, a working group formed of Peckham Platform, Leaders of Tomorrow and Golden Oldies. The partnership held regular community gatherings in the form of open, facilitated workshops with a cross-section of community members. Organisations including Black Heroes Foundation, Peckham Park Road Youth Project, Peckham Park Road Baptist Church, residents’ associations, young people, and other local community leaders were involved over a three-month period.
Artist Nana Varveropoulou facilitated sessions to drive ideas, solutions, and tangible creative outcomes – all focusing on how the project might respond directly to the most pressing opportunities and challenges of Peckham as a unique neighbourhood.
In year one, Beverely Bennett’s project Yuh Figet Yuhself focused on shared African and diasporic heritage and language as a space for connection, humour and generational tension.
In the second year, we paused to take stock of the COVID-19 pandemic and the reaction to the murder of George Floyd. While these were issues that affected many around the world, and the death of Floyd happened in America, the after effects of colonialism and systemic iniquity has been felt for generations in the UK.
During the pandemic we worked with our partners to meet the intensified needs of the most vulnerable in our community. The project raised an additional £50k in funds to meet practical needs such as providing 240 hot meals to 75 older people in Peckham, providing mobile data to those facing digital inequality, and access to counselling.
The core working group of The Peckham Partnership was:
Russell Profitt MBE and Gloria Brown
Chair and Trustee, Golden Oldies
Bassey Dunu
Peckham Park Baptist Church
Vallin Miller
Director, Leaders of Tomorrow
Nephertiti Oboshie Schandorf
Artistic Director, Peckham Platform
Supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Local Trust Creative Civic Change.
