CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
A neighbourhood story of moving in and growing together.
We’re inviting local residents to join Decades Of Us – a creative community project to explore what it means to grow older in the places we call home, and how different generations can learn from each other.
Organised by the Barbican & Golden Lane Neighbourhood Forum (BGLNF) this project builds on the legacy of Golden Oldies I (2009) and Golden Oldies II (2010) by Patricia Niven (photographer) and Sarah Winman (writer), curated by EXHIBIT @ Golden Lane Estate CIC, which Back then, neighbours shared their moving in stories from the 1960’s, challenging stereotypes about social housing and urban living, and imagining more caring futures.
Now, more than a decade later, we are picking up the thread by referring more resident-driven creative projects such as In the City (2000) by Edward Barber (photographer) with Liz Hirst (producer), Golden Lane Estate: An Urban Village (2021) by Stefi Orazi (graphic designer), Barbican Residents (2024) by Anton Rodriguez (photographer).
Through community parties, events and informal chats we will create a digital archive and a new community exhibition with events/actions, and we will gather evidence to present to the City about the needs and aspirations of our community. The aim is to capture real stories, local memories and hopes for the future. As regeneration reshapes our neighbourhood, this is a chance to reflect, connect and ensure our voices are part of the debate – particularly by contributing to the Barbican & Golden Lane Neighbourhood Plan.
No creative experience needed – just your stories, your memories from any decade from the 1950’s right up to now, and your ideas for what comes next. Please send us an email to info@bglnf.london or post your memories to us at the estate offices (Barbican or Golden Lane Estate) marked ATTN: Project Decades of Us for BGLNF.
Please include answers to 4 questions:
- MOVING IN – When did you first move in? (and which estate: Barbican or Golden Lane?) Feel free to add why.
- MOVING AROUND (if applicable) – When did you move flats? Feel free to add why…
- MOVING OUT – When do you see yourself moving out? Feel free to add why or answer ‘Never’!
- And Your name
For those of you who like technology, we have the option of self-recording your memories. We are also using this project to beta test an app called LifeLibrary, which can be used from a phone or a laptop, and which stores your data securely – it is not a social media platform. It is entirely up to you whether you use this for your stories and pictures, or not.
Please see the Forum’s website for more information. You can also sign up as a member to be updated on our news and activities.
*The Forum documents mentioned here are on the Forum’s website.
If you want to know more about neighbourhood planning in general see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/neighbourhood-planning–2
