8 minute read
Shining a light on Lewisham
Goldsmiths is among the first universities in the UK to have developed a Civic University Agreement, committing us to drive positive social change in the London Borough of Lewisham. From educational opportunities to regeneration and growth, and climate action to culture, health and wellbeing, Goldsmiths is working alongside key local organisations to address some of the most pressing issues that affect our borough and its people.
Lewisham is a vibrant place. It has a population of more than 300,000 – making it similar in size to the city of Newcastle. It is also the UK’s 15th most ethnically diverse Local Authority, and the second most diverse borough in London.* Last year, Lewisham Council was awarded the title of Council of Sanctuary in recognition of its track record of supporting refugees and migrants. It’s also home to an energetic voluntary sector, renowned cultural institutions, and a lively artistic community – making it one of London’s first Creative Enterprise Zones. And, of course, it is the 2022 London Borough of Culture.
But Lewisham also has its challenges. It’s one of the most deprived Local Authority areas in England (63rd out of 326) and the seventh most deprived borough in London.† A third of children in Lewisham grow up in poverty.‡ Conditions such as anxiety and depression affect nearly 1 in 5 people locally, and health inequalities are significant.* Meanwhile, Lewisham has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030, something that can only be achieved if individuals, businesses, institutions and transport providers take collective responsibility for reducing emissions.
Amid this backdrop, Goldsmiths is working with 11 organisations in the borough – including Lewisham Council, The Albany and Lewisham Local – to make it an even better and more inclusive place to live, work, create and learn. The Civic University Agreement (CUA) sets out the shared vision and action plan for 2021–2024 agreed by these institutions, focusing on several priority areas: educational opportunities and learning aspirations; economic prosperity, jobs and growth; culture, health and wellbeing; and environmental sustainability.
“There were lots of community listening events to get to this point, as well as extensive consultation with the partner organisations – it’s been a genuinely co-designed process,” explains Michael Eades, Head of Civic Engagement at Goldsmiths. He joined the College in 2021, being brought on board to deliver the CUA after it had been initiated and developed by his predecessor and other colleagues.
Goldsmiths is among a small number of institutions in the UK to have developed a CUA, and the first in London. Michael says that this led to some interesting considerations. “We’re the first university that has had to grapple with what it means to be a civic institution in a city of 10 million people. For that reason, we had to draw a boundary somewhere – hence the Local Authority boundary. Lewisham has its own distinct and unique identity, so it’s almost a city within a city: it’s got its own Mayor, and it’s quite a radical place with a radical university within it.”
As one of the three largest employers in the borough (along with Lewisham Council, and Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust), Goldsmiths has a key part to play in civic engagement and the successful delivery of the agreement. Michael says: “By its very presence, Goldsmiths makes a positive impact on Lewisham: it’s a major employer, it brings a lot of money into the borough, and students and staff come here and contribute to this buzzy and interesting part of London. But going beyond this, Goldsmiths is like a big laboratory of exciting ideas and creative practice, and you can see that this already spills beyond the confines of the campus – whether that’s through the free talks and concerts that are open to the public, by providing artistic inspiration via the amazing cultural
Above: London Borough of Culture initiatives play a big part in the Civic University Agreement
Photo © Roswitha Chesher
programme of the Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art, or through the academic exchanges that take place with community partners and local businesses. It’s a really vibrant ecosystem already. And it’s my job to make sure that these exciting, innovative ideas keep spilling over the edges of the university and connecting locally.”
Michael is in the midst of designing the infrastructure and processes that will enable Goldsmiths to deliver the commitments laid out in the CUA. The College already has a long tradition of civic work, and the agreement brings together existing activities alongside new initiatives. “One of the things that drew me to Goldsmiths was that it’s already a really strong communityfacing university,” he says. “A lot of the work with the CUA is related to supporting, amplifying and celebrating the things that colleagues at Goldsmiths are already doing. For example, we already offer the London Living Wage, and do a lot of work with schools and colleges in widening access to education.”
There will also be flagship initiatives that bring together the expertise of several partner organisations. One such example is the establishment of wellbeing clinics in the borough. These will include counselling and family support services delivered by Goldsmiths Social and Community Work students under the supervision of qualified staff. The London Borough of Culture provides another example, with activities taking place under its umbrella providing a key priority this year. It has already brought unique opportunities for civic engagement and connection – from straightforward cultural events and activities to participating in a project called ‘Creative Futures’, enabling the next generation to consider careers in the creative industries.
“It’s an interesting time for Lewisham and its cultural identity – particularly the way that it thinks about itself,” Michael explains. “Cultural activity in Lewisham is already really vibrant – there’s loads going on, and it’s particularly rich in history, heritage and creative people. So it’s about enhancing that and shining a light on it so that it gets experienced by a wider audience.”
Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, is similarly excited about what the CUA means for the borough. He says: “I am proud to see our key local organisations working together to support Lewisham. Independently we are all committed to improving the lives of people in our borough, but together we can achieve so much more, especially in the ongoing financial climate.”
National challenges and global crises have played their part in shaping the CUA’s hyperlocal endeavour. “It’s fair to say that the agreement was very much formed in the crucible of Covid,” explains Michael. “When you read through it you can see that it’s really focused on being collaborative – it’s about the partner organisations joining together and making a collective commitment. It’s a spirit of togetherness: what have we got that we can share and use in common to make the city and borough a better place? And what can we learn from one another?”
Michael has already been discovering the answer to that question. “One great example relates to responses to the climate crisis. Through the Green New Deal, we are taking action against the climate emergency, and so are partners like Lewisham Council. They’re looking for new perspectives on some of their climate work, and they’re thinking about the best ways to develop parks and new public spaces. And then at Goldsmiths we have research groups of academics and students who are looking at that same issue from different angles. As a university we can uniquely provide this kind of deep, nuanced research knowledge and idea generation.”
In forging these opportunities for synergy and collaboration it’s hoped that some of Lewisham’s toughest challenges can be overcome, and that its greatest strengths can be maximised. The Agreement demonstrates the power of a hyperlocal focus in the hands of a globally recognised institution ○
You can find out more about the Goldsmiths Civic University Agreement at gold.ac.uk/community/civic/cua
* Lewisham’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment † Overall Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019 ‡ End Child Poverty 2021
Our vibrant events programme (image below) and public gallery Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art (image above) help exciting ideas and creative practice connect locally and beyond
ABOUT LEWISHAM
• Population of more than 300k
• 2nd most diverse borough in London
• 2022 London Borough of Culture
• Home to more than 75 nationalities
• London Creative Enterprise Zone
• Aims to be carbon neutral by 2030
CIVIC UNIVERSITY AGREEMENT PARTNER ORGANISATIONS
• The Albany
• Goldsmiths, University of London
• Horniman Museum and Gardens
• Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
• Lewisham College
• Lewisham Council
• Lewisham Homes
• Lewisham Local
• Migration Museum
• Phoenix Community Housing
• Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
• 999 Club
SPOTLIGHT ON… MIGRATION MUSEUM
The Migration Museum explores how the movement of people to and from Britain has shaped who we are – as individuals, communities, and nations. Currently based in Lewisham Shopping Centre, the museum stages dynamic exhibitions and events, as well as a far-reaching education programme delivering workshops to school, university and adult learners; teacher training; and partnerships with major exam boards, with the aim of shaping the national curriculum. The Migration Museum has free admission, and welcomes enquiries from the Goldsmiths community about volunteering and placement opportunities.
migrationmuseum.org
