FAQs – Havering London’s £1.6 Million Cultural Funding
1. Where is this £1.6 million coming from?
This is new national funding and partnership support, secured through collaboration with a range of funders. It includes:
💷 £500,000 from Arts Council England (National Lottery Place Partnership funding)
🏛️ £250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund
🏗️ Support from Historic England for a Heritage Projects officer
🏢 Partnership funding from Romford BID
🎭 Collaboration with the Centre for Performance, Technology, and Equity (PTEQ) at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
2. Is the local authority involved and are they contributing any money?
Havering Council is a key partner, working alongside local organisations and residents to deliver ‘A Good Life’. Havering London, a new organisation, has recognised existing local authority spending, and has used this as ‘match funding’ to help raise the additional income.
No new local authority funding has been allocated towards ‘A Good Life’.
3. Why is money going to arts and culture when other services are being cut?
This funding is ring-fenced for cultural development and cannot be used for other services. It brings new money into Havering for these specific purposes, creating jobs, boosting local businesses, improving wellbeing, and strengthening community connections. This will help us continue our work to support cultural provision in the long term.
What does this mean for libraries: building on Havering Council’s recent review of borough wide library buildings, ‘A Good Life’ suggests developing a longer term strategy for 21st century library provision reflecting the changes in the demographics and geography of the borough, and opportunities for partnership investment and engagement.
4. What is ‘A Good Life’?
It’s Havering’s three-year cultural strategy (2025–2028) developed after our bid to be London Borough of Culture. The strategy is developed through public, private and voluntary sector partnership. Everyone should feel part of and connected to this strategy (we believe it will set a national benchmark in its approach). This is an action centred plan delivering 30 projects focused on heritage, creativity, wellbeing, and community – co-created with local people to reflect Havering’s diverse voices. Read more.
5. How will this benefit me and my community?
You’ll have access to free events, workshops, heritage trails, public art, and skills programmes, helping to improve wellbeing, create local jobs, and support the local economy. We will develop a new website showcasing events and activities in Havering.
6. Who is managing this funding?
The programme is led by Havering London, a new cultural placemaking organisation created to deliver ‘A Good Life’ and support long-term cultural growth in the borough. We are hoping to become a registered charity to unlock additional funding and ensure local communities, artists, and businesses continue to benefit beyond 2028.
Dr David Shearing and Mathew Russell, Co-Directors of Havering London, have worked extensively in Havering over the past decade through their leadership roles at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, where they developed the borough’s bid to be London Borough of Culture and secured significant cultural investment. David, who grew up in Havering, brings a deep personal connection to the borough. Mathew established Havering Changing, a successful Arts Council England Creative People and Places project.
7. Will this create local jobs or training opportunities?
Yes – expect new jobs, artist commissions, skills development, and opportunities for local people.
8. How can I get involved?
Join events, workshops, or apply for creative opportunities. You can also shape decisions through the People’s Panel, which includes 20 local residents working alongside delivery partners.
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9. Is this funding sustainable beyond the three years?
Yes — becoming a registered charity would allow Havering London to secure additional funding and ensure successful projects continue long-term.
10. How will you make sure all communities are included?
Inclusivity is at the core of ‘A Good Life’. The People’s Panel ensures that community voices guide decisions, with projects designed to be accessible and reflective of all of Havering’s communities.
11. Where can I find out more or ask further questions?
Visit www.haveringlondon.com or connect with us on social media to stay informed, share your ideas, and get involved! 🌱