Regent's Park Estate Community Festival

In a word, The Regent’s Park Estate Community Festival was joyous - so many people, neighbours, coming together to chat, share stories, watch, dance, play, sing and eat together. The festival was initiated by Community Champions Regent's Park - a group of volunteer residents and organisations working to improve wellbeing through social action in the area. It was co-produced by Fitzrovia Youth in Action and Old Diorama Arts Centre, with support from many others, and programmed with local residents and young people. Our Youth led team were trained in events management, customer service and public speaking, they designed the vibe of the festival, decided activities and undertook detailed risk assessments!

At the beginning of the event, only 44% of attendees reported their sense of community belonging as 8 or more out of 10. After the event 73% of guests reported their sense of community belonging as 8 or more out of 10 and there was a 55% increase in sense of community belonging overall. 99% of guests rated the event good or brilliant, with 62% rating brilliant.  

'This event is actually incredible!! The team should be so proud of creating it. All the different activities, the food, the entertainment – its amazing, And the vibe and the colours have transformed the areas so they feel so different and positive. For the first time in a long time we are so proud to live here.’ Guests and local residents M&I

'It has been so fantastic for me, both as Mayor, and a local councillor here, to see young people in our area being given the opportunity and power to make such a positive difference – from the dancers from Remix and their parents, to old diorama, to the young people running the catering, customer service and stage, to the community champions and stewards helping to make sure everyone has a fantastic time. The buzz was electric and I am so thankful and impressed.’ Mayor of Camden, Nasim Ali

'What a fantastic day – it was so lovely to have it in more areas than in Cumberland Market and be able to include more residents. Such a brilliant range of activities across the sites for everyone to be able to take part and great to see so many local people and organisations running the event and stalls and volunteering, but also seeing so many of the guests who live here. It felt like it was very much made for us and that is special.’ Local resident

‘What an absolutely brilliant event! Many thanks to you all at FYA and ODAC for making this happen. I am so proud and happy to have both your organisations invested in the area, its what I have always aspired for and you are making it reality’ Nassar, The Euston Partnership (and local resident)

‘Just want to say thank you so much for today. I met a lot of interesting people. I spoke to so many and heard such positive feedback – lots said we should do more events like this to get the community together. Well done team!’ H, Community Champion

Special thank you to all the performers, contributors and collaborators who made the Regent’s Park Community Festival such an exciting and vibrant afternoon.

To see what the full programme included head to: https://www.olddiorama.com/news/regents-park-estate-festival-full-programme

‍

Credits:

Photo credits to: Zbigniew Kotkiewitz and Claire Haigh

Initiated and presented by Community Champions Regent’s Park.

Produced by Fitzrovia Youth in Action and Old Diorama Arts Centre in collaboration with Camden Council Youth Service Detached Project, Regents Park Estate Guardians Project, and  University of the Arts London Central St Martins’ Design Against Crime Research Centre.

Supported by T-Factor, Camden Parks and Green Space Team, The Euston Partnership, SCS Railways, Camden People’s Theatre.

With thanks to Lendlease, Regent’s Place.

‍