Growing up in Southwark, my journey with Global Generation and British Land started in 2017 when I joined the very first cohort of Generator youth leaders at the Paper Garden in Canada Water. Four years on and our relationship continues to grow, most recently through a year’s placement for my university degree.
It all began when a sixth former at my school, Bacon’s College, saw education charity Global Generation running a workshop outside and told us about it. I loved the ethos of what they were doing and how they involved young people in different ways, so I signed up for their first Generator youth leadership programme.
Taking part in activities at the Paper Garden in Canada Water, I met the founder of Global Generation, Jane Riddiford, and volunteers from British Land. I went on to become a volunteer there myself, working with young people, listening to their thoughts and pouring new skills into them for their future. It’s inspiring to listen to young people; they have such profound thoughts.
Making local connections
When the time came to find an industry placement for my business and management degree at the University of Kent, I contacted Jane and one of the British Land volunteers I’d met, Eleanor Wright, who is the community lead for Canada Water. I was pleased Eleanor remembered me and had noticed my A Level grades in the local news. Together, they offered me a joint opportunity, doing four days a week with Global Generation and one with British Land.
Looking back on my placement year, I can’t believe how much I’ve done. In the first month, I represented Global Generation and British Land at a European leadership programme for people involved in community projects. Here, I made connections with amazing organisations in Southwark that we’ve gone on to work with, like Carnaval Del Pueblo, which runs London’s biggest Latin American festival.
Listening to the people you’re creating for
Working with Global Generation and British Land, I’ve realised just how important it is to listen to the people you’re creating for. On a regeneration like Canada Water, the voices and perspectives of people living in the area are so unique. You simply won’t find those insights in the statistics.
When you truly listen to people and give them a say in where they live, it brings a sense of empowerment. On a recent Canada Water project, young people carved wooden benches in the shape of animals for a public space. When we visited their sculptures, the young people expressed beautiful reflections on how seeing their work in public spaces makes them feel. Having the autonomy to impact your local community, even in small ways, can be powerful.
A few of my favourite things…
My favourite placement projects included working on the community engagement strategy for Canada Water, shaping Black History Month events, empowering young people in their social action and listening to local people’s views at Time and Talents (one of our local partners).
I’ve influenced upcoming projects too, including a workshop for pupils at Redriff Primary School with our design partner Dixon Baxi, and a community hoardings project for children at St John’s Primary School. And I’ve grown my skills, from a social media training course with Google, to Mental Health First Aider training.
Giving something positive
Looking forward, I hope my links with Global Generation and British Land continue. The Paper Garden is local to me and has a soft spot in my heart. When I finish university next year, I don’t know which industry I want to go for, but what I do know is how important it is to me that my employer gives something positive to the communities they’re based in.
More on the Canada Water Masterplan
More on Global Generation