This summer, Shaniah and Leah – two young residents of the Winstanley and York Road estates, had the opportunity to immerse themselves in their local arts and culture scene and explore the ongoing Winstanley and York Road regeneration project. They spent a week working with Jade Morgan, our Arts and Events Manager for the Winstanley Estate, rediscovering their community and gaining valuable insights into various departments within the council. The experience aimed to introduce them to a range of people and organisations within their community and provide them with the guidance and tools to create an exciting project for an upcoming heritage festival on the estates. It was also a chance for them to learn new skills, gain a fresh perspective, and truly make a difference.

Read about Shaniah’s experience…

“If I was to describe this internship in four words it would be fun, dynamic, refreshing and insightful. Reflecting on my career journey, this internship has been one of the most transformative opportunities that I have encountered. Working alongside Jade has significantly shaped my professional growth and has allowed me to combine two of my passions: creativity and community. Every day was unique, fun and informative in some way. It was an opportunity to engage with my local community, network and familiarise myself with the Council’s arts and culture jargon such as; cultural strategy, GLA and cultural outputs. It also gave me the chance to network with the the Arts & Culture and Regeneration department where I gained insight into the Winstanley and York Road Regeneration Project as well as having an on-site tour of the new block.”

“During this internship, I also had time to network with a variety of local arts and culture, community and regeneration individuals; including York Gardens Library staff, Ike from Royal Dance of Academy and Sara O’Donnell, London Borough of Culture Programme Director at Wandsworth Council. I also met Gin, Steve and Chetna from the North Battersea team who discussed the exciting possibility to be a panel member for the Falcon Road bridge renewal project.“

“I also had a task of creating a project that reflected the theme past, present and future. This required research into Winstanley as well as figuring out budget, marketing strategy, finding a venue and engaging and liaising with local community organisations such as Royal Academy of Dance, The R.O.S.E. Community Clubroom in Nort Battersea and Tooting Works. Pagrav Dance was taking over Tooting Works with their event Aunusthan, part of Wandsworth’s South Asian Heritage Month celebrations, and we got the opportunity to take part in a Tote bag designing workshop, to learn Kathak – an Indian folk dance – and enjoy some chai masala.”

Our project goals were to reflect the spirit of Winstanley, engage with the community as well as align with the festival’s theme focusing on the rich past of Winstanley, the changing present and its bright future.

Our aim was to highlight celebrating culture and creative outputs as a means to foster community, showing that arts are for impact whilst identifying key areas for improvement and development. This internship was not only beneficial to my personal development and growth as I had the opportunity to discover an array of opportunities and careers in arts and culture. But it was an opportunity to debunk preconceived notions I had both about the council and the regeneration project itself. Lastly it was also refreshing and a real eye opener to be made aware of the various cultural outputs that have taken place and are taking place in my local community.

A big thank you to Jade for the opportunity and thank you to Wandsworth Council’s Arts & Culture and Regeneration departments for the warm welcome.