Havering Changing awarded £750,000 of Art Council England funding

One of the events funded through Art Council England’s grant (Pic-Hannah Davis)

Havering Changing have been awarded £750,000 in Art Council England’s Creative People and Places National Portfolio Funding.

The funding is to be used to help inspire creative projects within the borough until March 2025. 

They received funding from the council back in November 2019 which has allowed them to produce over 100 free projects within Harold Hill, Orchard Village, Rainham and Romford. 

A recent example of their work was the Illusionarium, which took place in Romford through October and Novmeber, in partnership between the Romford BID and Havering Changing. 

It finished with a Diwali street party, all funded through previous funding from the Art Council England.

James Jackson is the Project Director of Havering Changing, he said, “We are delighted by the support shown by Arts Council England in continuing to fund this amazing project.

“Since November 2019, local people have come together to create and celebrate on their doorsteps, at bustling markets, in our beautiful green spaces, in busy high streets, and much loved community, youth and faith spaces.

“Our community have made all this and more happen, and in doing so, have staged nearly 100 free events and activities, engaged over 25,000 people in hyper local arts and culture, and invested over a quarter of a million pounds into the local creative economy.”

Havering Changing is ran through the help of volunteers and Jackson says that they’re always after more people.

Jackson continued, “We are looking for people to joining our group, if you live in Harold Hill, Orchard Village, Rainham and Romford and want to help people then please get in touch.” 

He also thanked the number of organisations which came together to get the bid through, they include the London Borough of Havering, Clarion Futures and Romford BID.

Havering Changing aren’t the only group to have received the funding; The Tilbury on the Thames Trust also secured a £1million on behalf of Thurrock.

The Thurrock Creative People and Places Consortium said, “We are thrilled that this funding has been secured for Thurrock creating opportunities for all. Thurrock has an engaged creative and cultural sector and we are all looking forward to working with them to get local people taking part in brilliant art experiences in the places where they live.”

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