Havering is bidding to become London Borough of Culture.

Back our bid

WE BELIEVE IT IS OUR TIME TO PUT HAVERING FIRMLY ON THE MAP OF LONDON.”

#HAVERING2025

Our vision is to transform Havering into a hub of creative innovation

Unlocked by the £1.35 million grant from the Mayor of London, we will create a legacy that will resonate for generations.

Havering’s London Borough of Culture consortium led bid signifies a transformative programme, acting as a catalyst in how the borough positions culture at the core of Havering Council’s long-term strategy. Through the vision of ‘A GOOD LIFE’, the programme is a compelling 21st-century story of a rapidly changing Havering told across four remarkable acts. Health and wellbeing will be genuinely intrinsic. London Borough of Culture will build a greater sense of place, champion a rich heritage, and firmly put Havering on the London map.

The bid process has sparked a profound sense of hope for Havering. Havering Council has led extensive workshops involving its leadership, officers and members. Collaborative sessions with local voluntary organisations and industry stakeholders have empowered grassroots organisations to actively shape this bid. The participation of more than 50 organisations and 1,000 members of the public in consultation signifies more than endorsement – it is a collective vision. This process has revealed a sense of unity surrounding Havering’s plans and a collective recognition of the imperative to celebrate a forward-looking borough.

Together, we can help transform Havering to become a beacon of culture. By supporting the bid to become London Borough of Culture, you are championing a brighter, more vibrant future.

Join us as we write a new chapter for Havering.

Back our bid

IT'S TIME TO TELL HAVERING'S STORY...

 

“Our consortium bid is a transformative programme, acting as a catalyst in how Havering positions culture at the heart of its long-term strategy.

Through the vision of 'A GOOD LIFE', the programme is a compelling 21st-century story of a rapidly changing Havering told across four remarkable acts.”
A TRANSFORMATIONAL PROGRAMME
“Living well has been intricately woven throughout our bid. With a focus on community engagement, fostering healthy food cultures, nurturing social connectivity and promoting good physical and mental health.”
LONG TERM WELLBEING
“Our Cultural Education Partnership has united education, arts partners and young people.

Havering's 'The Children Have Spoken' youth consultation with 252 young people has inspired this bid. We want to engage every school in the borough.”
CHAMPIONING YOUNG PEOPLE
“Havering is a borough rich in heritage with many residents proud and keen to celebrate and share this. Throughout the bid’s extensive consultation, this is an often repeated theme.

London Borough of Culture provides an opportunity to re-balance the widest definition of heritage, to the benefit of the borough’s new population.”
OUR HERITAGE
“Havering's bid is built on a set of seven outcomes developed with the public, private and voluntary sectors: Improve Health, A Bold Story, Celebrate Communities, Transform the Cultural Ecology, Engage all the Borough and Empower Talent.

These outcomes have been shaped through 100's of hours of energising community consultation. Demonstrating a palpable desire for change.”
A VITAL CATALYST FOR CHANGE

Havering has Spoken

Choir including all ages, singing together to celebrate a variety of music. Glenda
A festival of all that is good in Havering. We have so many talented people, artists, musicians and others that we can highlight. Denise
Romford Market through the Ages. Martin
Showcasing our strengths as one of the biggest and greenest of the London boroughs via open space events. Nii
Workshops that engage young people with their local built environment. Sophia
Local people, and groups, using art and food, in a sustainable and environmentally conscious way. Laurie
Develop a permanent comprehensive website showcasing all cultural opportunities in the Borough. Pamela
A community-driven interactive digital art project that celebrates inviting residents to contribute personal stories, photos, and traditions. Nilay

The bid has been developed in partnership with:

Havering Changing:
Havering Changing is an Arts Council England funded Creative People and Places Project which supports local people, living and working, in Harold Hill, Orchard Village, Rainham and Romford to choose, create and take part in their own programme of inspiring arts and culture.

Mercury Shopping Centre, Havering Asian Social & Welfare Association, Clarion Futures, New City College (Ardleigh Green and Sixth Form campuses), Havering Volunteer Centre, Havering Youth Services and MyPlace, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Rainham Association for Village Events.

FUSE (Local Culture Education Partnership):
FUSE: Havering is the Local Cultural Education Partnership for Havering which brings together senior colleagues from education and arts organisations to work closely together to transform the lives of Havering’s young people by ensuring high quality access to culture for every child and young person in the borough and better promote the value of culture in education.

London Borough of Havering Culture and Leisure Services, London Borough of Havering Education Services, London Borough of Havering Youth Service, New City College, Ardleigh Green Campus, New City College, Sixth Form College, Parsonage Farm Primary School, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School, Scotts Primary School, Squirrels Heath Junior School, St Edward’s Church of England Academy, The Federation of Towers Schools.

Creative Health Havering:
Creative Health Havering is a network of local grassroots community organisations, third sector services and medical professionals exploring opportunities around social prescribing and the benefit of arts activity for health and wellbeing. Part of a growing movement to bring voluntary sector and health partners together to explore the synergies between culture, health and wellbeing, integrating into a wider London and national network.

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering, Alzheimer’s Society London Borough of Havering, Anna Robinson  (Health Coach and Mindfulness and Pain Management teacher and Director of Happy Body Happy Mind), Councillor Jacqueline McArdle (Local Ward councillor for Rainham & Wennington, Secretary of Hornchurch & District Allotment Society and Steward of Rainham Allotments and Member Champion for the volunteer sector), Deborah Hardy  (Behaviour Therapist, Learning Mentor, Alternative Holistic Health Service), Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association, Havering Crest Primary Care Network,Havering Local Area Coordinators, Havering Volunteer Centre, The Habbit Factory, Healthwatch Havering, Joan-Albert Serra (Music, Arts and Education Consultant and Researcher), London Borough of Havering, Culture & Leisure, London Borough of Havering Public Health,  London Borough of Havering Education Services, London Borough of Havering Housing, My Health Matters, MyPlace Youth and Community Centre, NHS North East London Health and Care Partnership, Paint Wellbeing, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Rainham Foodbank.

Communicating Havering:
Communicating Havering is the dynamic network of Havering-based organisations dedicated to championing Havering as a cultural destination. The network aims to ensure that the cultural activity in the borough is celebrated and shared locally and nationally, promoting Havering as a destination for business and creativity. Communicating Havering is chaired by Romford BID.
Supporters: Variable Matter, CEME (Centre of Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence), Romford BID, Wates Group, NO Collective.
London Borough of Havering
We submited our bid at the end of Nov 2023.
Our consultation continues until Feb 2024.
The winning boroughs are announced in  March 2024.

If you have any questions about our London Borough of Culture bid, email info@haveringlondon.com

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[Images: Hannah Davis]

Privacy policy:
Data obtained through this process will be managed by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, one of the lead project partners, in accordance with its privacy policy.

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