We are so excited to introduce the Youth-led Empowerment Network – an idea to Reimagine London’s spaces created by 3 We Rise Alumni, Skye, Sia and Regina for a major London Festival of Architecture competition…..and we are also delighted to announce that it’s been shortlisted!
There is a lack of young voices shaping our cities of the future and we are always looking for engagement opportunities that benefit the young people we work with by creating platforms for them to share their ideas. When New London Architecture put out an open call for ideas to Reimagine London we found the perfect partners in consultants PRD, who are experts at designing bold, trans-formative and asset strategies. This led to an inspirational four-week sprint and exciting new ideas for our city and now the news that we have been shortlisted!
Find our all about the YEN on the animation above – the first We Rise animated film created with the help of local studio We Are Graft and a soundtrack created by South London Youth Sayers.
The NLA asks “How can we reimagine a better London for all, a 24-hour city that is future-proof and equipped to adapt and thrive in the face of immense challenges?” Supporting the Alumni we explored this challenge from our office at International House, looking out over the city from the 6th floor.
Through two workshops Brixton-based Regina, Skye and Sia discussed the challenges in their area, the changes they wanted to see, and their idea for getting there. We discussed what London means for the group, what a 24-hour city is and whether it is needed and discussed their feelings about the 15-minute city narrative.
Skye, Sia and Regina created a vision for a Youth-led Empowerment Network that ‘Reimagines’ London’s unloved and forgotten spaces, to bring peace, safety and connection to neighbourhoods. Spaces like community and housing estate halls, parks, streets – public spaces at the heart of communities.
Their ethos is embedded in diversity. They want alternatives to using devices, alternatives to alcoholic events, and more open, free and accessible activities which are welcoming to all kinds of people across generations. These will include barbecues, cooking classes, arts, and games nights, provided in collaboration with small businesses.
This innovative reuse of space will encourage connection, support neighbours to learn new hobbies, and give young people the chance to develop skills like events management. It will create the platforms needed now to ensure future generations have the opportunities to thrive.
Their idea can scale. It will start in Lambeth and then branch out to other boroughs, growing a team of like-minded individuals. Running events requires space and funding, and brings liabilities. As a first step, they will work with LB Lambeth to identify spaces and funding streams, such as CIL and social value funds. We will partner with a Brixton organisation who have existing event management infrastructure.
WHAT WILL THE YEN NETWORK DO?
The YEN will support and reflect the needs of our residents. We have identified specific challenges in Brixton which our events will respond to like cost of living, access to healthy food, access to opportunities and mental health challenges. Our events are free, bring opportunities directly to neighbourhoods, and involve sharing of skills to encourage transformative habits. Increasing interaction will enable better mental health.
Partnerships
The YEN will be based on partnership. We will partner with community organisations and businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship. We will bring communities together and empower them to utilise spaces more. Through our events, neighbours will meet face-to-face, developing community safety.
Future Generations
Our YEN will create positive spaces for future generations to learn and thrive. We will introduce young people to alternatives to screens and devices and connect them to older generations.
We are so proud to have been able to help Skye, Sia and Regina to produce such an inspiring vision!