Imagine Islington community engagement

To get a better idea of what a shared vision for culture in Islington might look like, we decided to explore what culture and creativity really feels like for local people.

Through the Imagine Islington engagement programme, we delved deeper into what culture means to Islington people and what helps and stops people doing what they love. We asked people for ideas of how we could work together to build a place where everyone can enjoy the benefits of culture and creativity.

From surveys and workshops to singing sessions and theatre, we listened to people in our communities. You can find out more about our full engagement programme and methodology on this page.

We surveyed 300 local people to find out a sample of what cultural, creative and leisure activities you love to do.

Survey responses

Survey respondents told us they enjoy a wide variety of different activities. With percentage of total responses to the question about what they liked to do, the most popular activities are:

1. outdoors or nature activities - 41% 
2. drama and theatre - 25% 
3. museum, galleries or archives - 25%
4. cinema - 23% 
5. music - 22%
6. sports physical activity or sporting events - 20% 

The top responses for why survey respondents do activities were: 

1. supporting physical and mental health - 83%
2. spending time with friends and families - 64%
3. developing skills and knowledge - 54%
4. connecting with people across communities - 47%.

The biggest barriers to cultural activities overall were:

• not knowing what is available - 40%
• activities being too expensive - 35%
• people not having enough time - 32%. 

Most people do activities at home (72%), at cultural organisations like museums and theatres (64%) and in parks and adventure playgrounds. Libraries, and community centres were also key locations.

What we heard

We heard about a rich, diverse range of experiences from local people through the survey, alongside targeted creative workshops and focus groups.

• Most people we asked agree that Islington is a place where everyone can enjoy cultural activities, but some people felt excluded from doing what they love or celebrating their culture
• Many people don’t know what opportunities are on offer or can’t afford them
• Disabled people, people from low socio-economic backgrounds and migrants said key barriers to getting involved were mental health and anxiety, feelings of safety and belonging and a lack of support and connection – for example transport, time, language and childcare. 
• Residents, people who work for us, and cultural and community organisations said that culture was key to support physical and / or mental health and wellbeing. People also highlighted the importance of green spaces and outdoor cultural activity.  
• Children and young people of school age have good cultural opportunities, but there are gaps in delivery for those under five and over 26, particularly for those from more marginalised groups.
• Identity and belonging are key when people talk about culture and what they want to see happen, particularly for specific age groups, ethnicities, and disability access.
• We need more relationship building and joined up working between council services as well as with cultural and community partners.

Culture Strategy Working Group

As part of the Imagine Islington Community Engagement, we assembled the Culture Strategy Working Group to support the development of the Culture Strategy which ran from March to September 2023.

Made up of leaders from Islington’s cultural, community and education sectors, working alongside council officers, all members have a wealth of experience working in partnership with Islington communities within culture, creativity, and the arts.

Attendees