Bringing power to the people

PemPeople and Livesey Exchange Founder

People Empowering People – it’s not just the name of Nicholas Okwulu’s organisation, it’s his mantra for life.

Building stronger communities, helping people turn ideas into reality and championing entrepreneurship is at the heart of his Southwark initiative.

Nicholas is Founder of People Empowering People – PemPeople – a non-profit organisation that collaborates with residents and groups from Southwark's grassroots community. Its origins stretch back to 2010.

It forms a bridge with the council and institutions, showcasing the wealth of talent that exists in the community, and creating new opportunities.

He is also Founder of the Livesey Exchange, a grassroots project initiated by PemPeople to create a social, cultural and community space in the heart of Southwark.

His passion for this part of London, which has been his home for more than 30 years, is infectious.

“I came to the area around Old Kent Road in 1993 after a friend came here, I decided to stay for six months" said Nicholas,

“The area had been described as one of the most deprived areas – but I really liked it.

“I found there were lots of creative people who lived locally and for me it was how could we harness the skills of those individuals and showcase that.

“I love the people. The community here is so diverse and can do so much.”

Nicholas studied in biochemistry well before new developments began to change the Old Kent Road area, studying at South London College’s former Tooley Street site, where LaLit is based.

But he was working as a DJ when the area first became his home – going on to launch his own record distribution company before going back to biochemistry and becoming a Regional Clinical Sales Manager negotiating contracts across the South-east of England.

But it was the people on his own doorstep that would be his greatest inspiration.

“I went for an interview one day and was asked what I did in my spare time,” he explains. “I said I did ‘bits and pieces’ in the community. I knew I wanted to do more.”

Discovering a wealth of creative talent in the local area, he wanted to harness those skills and showcase the people in the community.

Beginning with a bike project – teaching people not just to get a bike but how to fix it – PemPeople has gone from strength to strength.

Work has included Pop-up Shops, arts collaborations with Tate Modern with the Southwark Untold project and even a royal visit.

In 2013 the then Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall, visited Peckham to connect with the local community at The Big Lunch Christmas edition hosted by The Eden Project Communities and Nicholas – giving him the chance to champion the work being carried out in the local area.

And the developments keep on coming. PemPeople launched the first Livesey Exchange, LEX 1, in 65 garages beneath a Ledbury Estate housing block in Peckham, but this was then earmarked for demolition because of safety issues.

Last summer Livesey Exchange opened its new home, LEX 2, completely transforming an empty plot on Old Kent Road.

The first new building to be constructed on the LEX 2 site was completed with more than £1.4 million of grant funding, including over £900,000 from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Future High Streets Fund, over £300,000 from Southwark Council, over £260,000 from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, £275,000 from the Stride fund and around £50,000 from the Livesey Exchange including crowdfunding.

Nicholas is in the process of submitting plans for the second phase of LEX 2 – a second building which will create more workshop and office space as well as commercial kitchen facilities.

“We still have people based in LEX 1 including local actor Rasaq Kukoyi who runs creative group Making Numbers - he has starred in Andor, part of the Star Wars series, and Criminal Record with Peter Capaldi.”

LEX 2 currently has a number of tenants including a father and daughter-led family business specialising in homemade tropical drinks, an architect and a creative agency.

The second phase of LEX 2 has already secured £900,000 of funding from the

Department for Levelling Up, although more money will be needed.

“We’re hoping to put a roof top area up on the second building,” said Nicholas, “to create another space for people to come together.”

His aim is for the second LEX 2 building to be up and running by autumn 2025.

But Nicholas is also busy on other local projects.

He is Co-Founder of the Southwark Design District, which turns the spotlight on local creatives within the Borough of Southwark.

Now in its fourth year, an event is planned for September taking in the whole borough including Bankside and featuring local artistic talent from films and furniture to clothing.

He recently brought people together for the first Southwark Business Forum on May 10.

As a member of Southwark Chamber of Commerce Nicholas says bringing community voices together is vital.

“We’ve got very good links in the community, as does the Chamber, which is why we invited them to the forum.”

And for the future? For Nicholas it’s all about helping the people living and working on his doorstep really reach their full potential.

He added: “There’s a real community ethos around everything we’re doing.

“Southwark is such a diverse and vibrant community – and we have shown that the community can deliver projects that add value to their environments and are inclusive to all.

“It’s about bringing people together to share ideas, get involved and improve the lives of local people.”

"Russell always wanted to 'unite the young and though music' and build the community. He believed in entrepreneurship, which he supported personally or as manager of Blue Bermondsey BID."

Jack Marchant music producer

"At Greystar, we feel privileged to have known Russell. We will always appreciate his warm welcome and guidance when we were new to the community. We are eternally grateful for all the support he has provided us, and his spirit and dedication to Bermondsey will continue to inspire us. As we move forward with delivering the Bermondsey Project, we do so with Russell's legacy in our hearts, striving to create a community that reflects the values and vision he championed."

Jonathon Armstrong Director, Greystar Europe Holdings Limited