Southwark Council announces successful Cultural Celebrations Fund events
11 August 2021
Southwark is one of London’s most vibrant and innovative locations for cultural and event activity. The council supports an exciting series of free events, which take place throughout the year. The events programme supports the Borough Plan, Fairer Future theme ‘a vibrant Southwark’ and specifically celebrates Southwark’s diversity with accessible events for all.
In early June, an open call-out was issued inviting event organisers to apply for grants through the council’s new Cultural Celebrations Fund to support and enhance the delivery of free outdoor events during 2021. Particular priorities for support in the fund’s inaugural year included events that demonstrate a commitment to the council’s Southwark Stands Together programme to tackle racist inequalities and events that will bring communities together again in the aftermath of the pandemic. The full list of funded events has now been announced.
Councillor Alice Macdonald, cabinet member for equalities, neighbourhoods and leisure, said: “The vibrancy, diversity and energy of Southwark is what attracts many people to the area, and is what residents and Londoners love so much about it. It’s exciting to see the list of events planned, including fairs, food, dance and theatre which celebrate our diverse cultures from all corners of the globe. I can’t wait to go to them, and I’m sure many others will take great pleasure in attending. Congratulations to all the successful organisers. We’re proud to be able to support these events through the new Cultural Celebrations Fund.”
W.E.L.L. Being SE15 is one of the successful recipients, which is an event for people aged 16-22, featuring presentations, workshops and interactive activities that aim to provide positive benefit and inspiration to the wider community.
Co-founders Daniel Palmer and Shelene Byer, said: “W.E.L.L.Being SE15 is enthusiastic about upholding the Southwark cultural strategy and aligning it with the W.EL.L.BeingSE15 vision for a healthy, prosperous and culturally inclusive Southwark. The pandemic put a huge delay on the momentum gained from our first event that took place in November 2019. It also affected our access to other resources which would have enabled us to transform our foundation into a centralised resource for access to local wellbeing services. This fund is well aligned with re-affirming our mission in supporting and promoting entrepreneurship among the youth. It also provides us with a great opportunity to continue enhancing and introducing the concept of holistic wellbeing amongst the next generation in an openly interactive way that enables access to all within the borough and surrounding areas.”
A total fund amount of £60,000 was made available and grants of up to a maximum of £10,000 were invited for eligible events that encourage and promote community engagement and cohesion around the borough, to take place between July 2021 and March 2022.
The programme closed to applications 21 June and 52 applications were received, all of which were reviewed and scored by a selection panel.
Page last updated: 05 September 2022
