A community celebration through crafts
By Vincenzo Meoli, Account Executive
That’s a wrap! We had a wonderful time leading the community engagement in support of Cockpit’s Deptford redevelopment plans. Cockpit is an award-winning incubator for creative startups and small firms and a leader of the London crafting community.
Community at heart
Our work on this project has helped to make a positive change in connecting the local community with the craft happening on their doorstep. The plans for the refurbishment of the building will open its doors to the community with a new education space on the ground floor, providing a new home for workshops, exhibitions and craft events.
The building will also increase studio capacity by adding 20 new businesses and provide a space for more makers without compromising the external shape of the building. With maker space in London in decline, Cockpit aims to strengthen its position in London. In supporting 150 businesses through the pandemic, the organisation has been recognised as an example of best practice by the Mayor of London’s Culture at Risk campaign.
Planning success
The great news is that redevelopment plans recently got the green light from the Council. We want to thank everyone who took part in our engagement programme, sharing ideas on the proposals. Detailed feedback and creative ideas from local people helped to positively shape the plans.
Many of the local residents we met had never been inside the studio spaces at Cockpit before. This was something we wanted to change, so we created free opportunities for local children and their families to come inside, get involved in crafting activities and share their thoughts and ideas for the Cockpit of the future.
As good listeners, we are always willing to hear local stories and see the impact these have on the communities we work with. In our Cockpit events, the Love Over Gold mural along Creekside provided fantastic talking points: reading the message of the mural gave a fascinating snapshot of the neighbourhood and its long-established values.
During our events, local families joined local artists and Cockpit makers to create collaborative arts inspired by the mural. These hands-on, family friendly events created the chance for everyone to meet woodmakers, leather manufacturers, contemporary ceramicists, jewellery makers, printmakers and the whole Cockpit team. Working at the grassroots level helps us understand the core values of organisations and identify the initiatives that best fit the local character. This is one of the reasons why consultations like these will always stand out and stay in people’s memories.
Find out more about the project here.
