A South east London arts centre has launched a community council, inviting six residents to help shape its future.
The Albany in Douglas Way, Deptford has today launched its first community council.
This paid opportunity will see the cohort who all live, work or have a strong connection to Deptford or Lewisham, join the council for one year.
Members include Amy Adams, a volunteer at the Albany’s arts and social club for over 65s.
Ms Adams said: “I’m looking forward to finding out what’s coming up at the Albany and being able to give my opinions and feedback. This is the first time I’ve had the chance for my own personal views to be heard in this way.”
The other five inaugural members are Deptford resident and rock music fan Amir Taimoor Khan, Albany regular Selena Mitchell, primary school teacher Chery Nguyen, founder of the Vietnamese Family Partnership Quynh Nguyen and volunteer Rachel Allen.
They will attend events and activities and meet six times across the year, to provide the venue with feedback to help shape future programmes.
The group have been recruited as part of the arts centre’s new Creative Strategy, which prioritises community engagement.
Vicki Dela Amedume MBE, creative director at the Albany, said: “The Albany has a strong history of co-creating work with our local communities and I’m excited for this next step on our journey.
“It’s great to have such a wide range of expertise and knowledge on the Community Council, and I’m looking forward to us working together, sharing ideas and learning from each other over the coming year.”
Pictured top: From left, Amir Taimoor Khan, Selena Mitchell, Amy Adams, three of the inaugural members of the Albany’s Community Council (Picture: Elena Ledgister)