Memories for the Future is a hyperlocal community-led programme that researches and responds to the intangible heritage of the people who shaped Peckham’s iconic Rye Lane.

Rye Lane Reconnected, a community-led initiative, collaborates with social artists, residents, and community groups to commission artworks for Peckham’s Rye Lane. Young people from Southwark’s Youth Justice Service, South London Refugee Association, and Inspire Walworth, alongside artists like Koby Martin and Tyreis Holder, explore community, heritage, and identity, reclaiming public spaces. Generously funded by Arts Council England, Art Fund, and others.

London-based art practitioner Meera Shakti Osborne hosted workshops at Inspire Walworth, exploring the significance of participants’ areas through writing, image-making, and discussion. Participants rediscovered creativity, comfort, and fun while reflecting on what made their neighborhoods special.

Artist Koby Martin collaborated with Southwark Youth Justice Service, empowering young voices through painting, music, and new beginnings. The workshops allowed youth to shape public artworks reflecting ‘new beginnings,’ ‘opportunities,’ and ‘unity’. Through personalized interactions, Koby fostered trust and valued relationships, amplifying the voices of young participants.

Artist Tyreis Holder collaborated with South London Refugee Association in workshops exploring therapeutic textile use. Youth discovered creative freedom, patterns, and design, shaping a public artwork. Participants found newfound self-expression, empowering their creative minds.

We are pleased to receive £380,000 from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme to enable us to establish a new home on Peckham Square.

The project takes its title from a conversation that Bennett had with an older friend. Speaking out of tone, the artist was met with the reply “Yuh Figet Yuhself!”. The statement was made in jest but served as a reminder that she had literally and figuratively forgotten herself.

Working with the Peckham Platform Learning team and in collaboration with Barbara Majek, participants meet via Zoom to develop new skills, create collaborative work and receive support for individual development. 

This project celebrates the distinct dialogues of a multi-generational group of participants and mediums of ‘insistent archiving’ that preserve the wealth and variance of these narratives.