Emerge Youth Festival comes to Southampton this September
Southampton Forward has partnered with SoCo Music Project who are developing a new youth festival in Southampton, led and co-designed by a group of young people. Emerge Youth Festival is a vibrant free event that captures the voices and ideas of over 200 young people from communities across the city.
Facilitated by SoCo Music Project, in partnership with Southampton Forward, Emerge Youth Festival will take place at Hogland’s Park on Saturday 7th September from 12 noon to 6pm, with all of Southampton’s young people invited to come along for a range of music sets by local bands, DJ’s and solo performers, as well as free creative workshops, craft stalls and food vendors.
Emerge Youth Festival will be the outcome of extensive engagement with young people aged 11-18 conducted by SoCo Music Project over the winter – as part of this process a group of young people put up their hand to continue their involvement and lead on the design and creation of the festival. One of the key themes emerging from the research was that young people wanted a festival that was not designed for them but created with and by them.
Southampton Forward wants the festival to help create pathways for future careers. “Through this process, the young people will develop skills as creative producers, practitioners and performers,” said Kate Jackman, Event Producer at Southampton Forward. “It’s also an opportunity to give voice to our young city and allow them to explore the issues and themes that are important and relevant to them”.
Emerge Youth Festival is supported by funding from Arts Council England, Esme Fairbairn Foundation, Southampton City Council and GO! Southampton. A range of local partners are also getting involved, including ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, In Focus Education and No Limits.
To find out more about Emerge Youth Festival, click here.
To find out more about SoCo’s music engagement programmes, click here.
About SoCo Music Project
SoCo create opportunities for more people to take part in music and help people discover something new, learn new skills and nurture their creative potential. They also run sector-support programmes to improve lives through training and networking.
An innovative light festival will show Southampton in a new light next February, and Southampton Forward is calling for nominations for local people from communities across the city to be featured, shining a light on the people who make Southampton.
City Reflections will celebrate local people and highlight the diverse stories, culture and heritage of Southampton’s communities. Hundreds of images and video clips featuring local people will be projected onto walls and buildings to shine a light on the difference – either big and small – made by Sotonians to their city.
Westquay are lead sponsor for the event, which is also supported by funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Arts Council England.
Andy Jackson, Destination Director at Westquay said: “Collaborating with local artists and creatives is just one of the ways we are evolving Westquay from a place where people come only to shop, to a destination which connects the community through an exciting mix of uses including culture. City Reflections is a celebration of the unsung heroes who have shaped Southampton, and we are proud to sponsor this exciting event which will pay them homage.”
The trail will shine a light on the city’s Community Legends – those often-hidden people who make a material difference to the life of the city. Through photography and projection, this trail will light up key sites across Southampton, supported by an online trail map providing the opportunity for people to engage with their city and its people in a new and different way.
“This event is a unique opportunity for Southampton’s vibrant communities to showcase their rich cultural heritage and celebrate the individuals who make our city truly special,” said Cllr Christie Lambert, Cabinet Member for Communities at Southampton City Council.
“Working cross-sector with multiple partners including the universities, schools, community groups, charities, and businesses, City Reflections will undoubtedly create a truly memorable event that reflects the vast diversity and vibrant spirit of Southampton.”
Shaped by local people and their nominations, City Reflections will illuminate and animate the Southampton cityscape during the darker months of the year. Starting on 15th February 2025, the event will run over nine days, including both weekends of the February half term to make it accessible to families and visitors.
“We’re so looking forward to launching this fantastic event,” said Jasmine Taylor, Community Engagement Manager at Southampton Forward, “and we’re now asking people to come forward and nominate their Community Legends – those people who brighten the lives of those around them – whether they’re a local hero who gives up their free time to volunteer in community projects, a friendly neighbour always there to help, or a quiet force for good, we want City Reflections to show how much people make Southampton”.
Southampton Forward has partnered with Solent University and leading director Kerry Kyriacos Michael MBE to deliver an exciting project that will shine a light on the experiences and heritage of people across the city.
Southampton Forward is inviting artists, theatre-makers and members of the public to shape a bold and exciting new project that will see the creation of bespoke new pieces of theatre sharing stories from diverse communities across Southampton. Made in collaboration with local artists and performed in homes across the city, the plays will celebrate the voices of residents through their stories of what it means to be Sotonian from the many different perspectives of people living in Southampton.
Home Theatre – Southampton will create three networks: local people, theatre makers and film makers. The collaboration between these groups is anticipated to generate creative energy, new ideas and insights, making this an important and exciting project, supported by funding from Arts Council England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The performances will take place in the intimate settings of local homes across Southampton and will be filmed over the weekend of Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October 2024. A screening of the film in early 2025 will invite audiences from around the world to see the work and be part of an online conversation about what it means to live in a global city that speaks over 160 languages with a rich maritime history.
To bring this project to life Southampton Forward is collaborating with Olivier Award-winning Theatre Director Kerry Kyriacos Michael. Kerry was Artistic Director at The Theatre Royal, Stratford East for 13 years, and led one of the most pioneering programmes of work in developing community-led collaborations both inside and outside of the venue.
Southampton Forward is looking for theatre makers, directors and stage managers to help shape this project, working with local residents who will host performances in their homes. Working collaboratively to co-design the performances, artists and residents will come together to make new work based on the diverse stories of people living in any of the 17 wards of the city and what it means to belong in Southampton. Rehearsing together and devising the performance, local hosts will be encouraged to invite their own audience of friends and family to a final performance in their homes, supported by our creative team of theatre makers, producers and film crew.
Kerry Kyriacos Michaelsaid, “Theatre is about telling great stories; this project will capture these from across the city. It’s also a great opportunity for artists and Southampton audiences to come together and have an open dialogue about their stories and the project.”
Students from Solent University will be filming all the performances for Southampton Forward’s Home Theatre digital event, which will take place early in 2025. Audiences will be encouraged to comment and talk about the work using social media.
Members of the public wishing to volunteer to take part in this exciting project can find out further details by visiting Southampton Forward’s website and are asked to register their interest online by 28th August.
Leader of Southampton City Council, Councillor Lorna Fielker said: “I am delighted that Southampton Forward has secured funding for exciting projects like Home Theatre Southampton, which celebrate our city’s diverse communities and cultural heritage, spotlighting the people who shape Southampton’s unique identity. I really look forward to seeing the results of the creative collaboration between communities, artists and Solent University students, funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Arts Council England, led by Southampton Forward.”
Annie Sanger-Davies, Course Director at Solent University and Home Theatre project producer, said: “We’re so excited to be delivering this fantastic, imaginative project, and we’re hoping people from across the city will want to engage with it and share their stories.”
Claire Whitaker, CEO of Southampton Forward said, ‘’It’s wonderful to see this project coming to life. It combines the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the stories and heritage of Sotonians in an imaginative way, with an opportunity for local theatre practitioners to develop their professional practice and access mentoring by an Oliver-award winning theatre director.
“We are grateful for the funding support from Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation which has enabled this project to happen, as well as the ongoing commitment from our founding partners.”
Key dates to note are:
5th – 28th August –call for community participants and theatre practitioners
Southampton Forward and the University of Southampton deliver an event highlighting the city’s commitment to making Southampton a proudly inclusive city.
An event celebrating Southampton’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion took place on 10th June at the University of Southampton’s John Hansard Gallery. Organised by independent charity, Southampton Forward, the SO:Inclusive event brought together partners and stakeholders from across the city to focus on collaborative ways to make a positive change in Southampton.
The sharing event marked the culmination of a six-month programme where representatives from the city’s voluntary, public, business and charitable sectors came together to explore ways to take collective steps to build the inclusive city that Southampton strives to be. Over the course of the programme, the group learned more about equity, diversity and inclusion and developed a set of priorities
Through round-table discussions, attendees suggested an inclusive charter to provide guidelines on recruitment, inclusive messaging, language, and explore effective ways of valuing the expertise of the city’s diverse communities. This could also feature a statement of inclusion in Southampton developed by young people
Signing up to the charter will demonstrate an organisation’s commitment to build on equity, inclusion and diversity through their operational systems and engagement.
Delivered in partnership with the University of Southampton, SO:Inclusive (#SOInclusive) is just the start of a network of organisations working collaboratively to share ideas, best practice and find solutions.
Claire Whitaker, CEO of Southampton Forward, said: We have been delighted by everyone’s support and commitment to focus firmly on diversity, equity and inclusion and empowering the young leaders of tomorrow. The energy and time given to this programme by all involved has been invaluable, despite the limited resources and many pulls on people’s availability. Thank you to the SO:Inclusive participants who designed and developed the approach with us and showed us how coming together, challenging the status quo and emphasising accountability will mark the change makers of our city.
“Special thanks go to guest speakers Pascal Matthias (University of Southampton), Cllr Lorna Fielker (leader of Southampton City Council) and to Amanda Parker who boldly facilitated the six month programme enabling curiosity to thrive and provided the space and openness to challenge.”
Cultural business strategist Amanda Parker, who builds inclusive change strategies for creative and cultural environments, commented: “When Claire Whitaker invited me to help Southampton Forward and its partner organisations to build on the work started in 2021 and help them to collectively take their next steps to building an inclusive city, I was motivated.
“From multi-site commercial partners whose business concerns straddle retail and hospitality, to the city’s academic, leisure and cultural and civic leaders, the breadth of partnership suggested to me an exciting opportunity. If these interests were in the one room together the opportunities for making lasting inclusive change would be far-reaching and powerful.
“It has been fantastic to have representation in the group from the council, from Southampton Football Club, and a collection of incredible expertise drawn from a range of cultural and social enterprises.” She noted that the visibility of organisations’ commitment to what has been started by this project “will narrow the gap between who is in the room in Southampton and who is on the outside looking in.”
The SO:Inclusive group will meet again in a few months to move forward the action around the Citywide charter. Organisations and individuals who wish to get involved can help shape this next chapter in Southampton’s inclusive journey. For more information follow Southampton Forward on socials or sign up to the mailing list here.
Hundreds of people came to see the transformation of Westquay’s multi-storey car park into an urban street art gallery over the weekend
Once again, hundreds of people flocked to Westquay’s Multi-Storey Car Park as it burst into life for this year’s “Multi Stories” event, which took place over the weekend.
The free event returned to the retail and leisure destination’s car park on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of May, and saw people travel down from as far as Basingstoke and Brighton to see the bringing together of art, skateboarding and music which transformed the well-known landmark into an urban art gallery.
New to this year was the Maker’s Market where visitors where able to pick up a one-off creation from local small businesses and crafters. The free art workshops also proved popular, as attendees were given the chance to try a spot of graffiti, life drawing, chalk and tape floor drawing, as well as take part in a community wall design competition.
Organised by Westquay, in association with Southampton Forward, visitors watched live as more than thirty artists created a series of large and small-scale permanent murals that resonate with the stories of the city and local communities.
Multi-Stories brought together a huge number of artists with a range of experience and styles, from street artists with international reputations including EPOD, Mr Cenz,Captain Kris, established street artists from Southampton such as Slam, Pogo, Ralf and Ayem, through to new and emerging local artists. 6 art frame commissions were again given to local artists keen to experience live painting at a street art event for the first time, and most of the art frame artists from last year were back, this time painting larger murals in the car park, including Joanna Rose Tidey, Chewy, Olivia Crawley and Edgar Lushaju.
“Multi-Stories” embraced the spirit of skateboarding and rollerblading with a section of the car park acting as a skate park. We Skate Southampton wowed onlookers with their skills but also offered the opportunity on how to learn new tricks, conquer ramps, and feel the thrill of riding alongside like-minded individuals who share a passion for the board.
This was all set against a soundtrack curated by Southampton musicians and DJs with a programme spanning genres across 60 years since Southampton became a city and reflecting the overarching theme for 2024 of ‘city life’. Artists included well-known Southampton street artist Slam and other established artists Epod, Mr Cenz and Vane MG. Breakdancers also took full advantage of the fantastic music.
Sarah Tinsley, Director of Marketing & Placemaking at Hammerson (owner of Westquay) said: ‘It’s been a complete hit. We were incredibly excited to bring back ‘Multi-Stories’ to Westquay following its huge success last year. Collaborating with local artists is just one of the innovative ways we are evolving Westquay from a place where people come only to shop, to a ‘destination’ offering an exciting mix of entertainment, leisure and social experiences. Southampton is bustling with creativity and we’re looking forward to once again championing and providing a platform for local talent”.
Claire Whitaker CBE, CEO of Southampton Forward, said “It was fantastic to see so many people enjoy the event, both local to the city and people visiting. Collaborating with Westquay is always a pleasure and the art that was produced is a fantastic legacy of the weekend - we are excited to start planning for next year.”
Paintshop, a local Creative Studio who blend graffiti art with graphic design, were back for a second year curating the artwork and free art workshops alongside local creative producer Joe Ross. Ricky Also, who is also a born and bred Sotonian, is the Creative Director behind Paintshop and a renowned mural artist.
Ricky Also said: “The Live painting event was again so well received by the public. It’s a unique opportunity for people to connect with street art, getting under the skin and witness the creative process firsthand.
“Not only are we transforming ordinary grey urban spaces into vibrant artworks, we also hope to play a part in inspiring the next generation of artists. Growing up in Southampton I know how just much creative potential there is in the city and events like Multi-Stories are exactly what we need’.
Westquay multi-storey car park set to transform into urban street art gallery for a second time with the return of the Multi-Stories public event this weekend
Westquay’s Multi-Storey Car Park will be bursting into life once again for this year’s “Multi Stories” event, taking place this weekend.
The free event will be returning to the retail and leisure destination’s car park on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of May, and just like last year, it will be bringing together art, skateboarding and music to transform the well-known landmark into an urban art gallery.
New to this year will be a Maker’s Market where visitors will be able to pick up a one-off creation from local small businesses and crafters. A range of free art workshops are also on offer, including graffiti, life drawing, chalk and tape floor drawing and a community wall design competition.
Organised by Westquay, in association with Southampton Forward, visitors will be able to watch live as more than thirty artists create a series of large and small-scale permanent murals that resonate with the stories of the city and local communities.
“Multi-Stories” will again give local people the chance to embrace the spirit of skateboarding and rollerblading with a section of the car park acting as a skate park. Everyone will have the opportunity to join We Skate Southampton as they show onlookers how to learn new tricks, conquer ramps, and feel the thrill of riding alongside like-minded individuals who share a passion for the board. Skateboarding lessons will also be offered, ensuring everyone can experience the exhilaration of the sport. As well as workshops for breakdancing too.
All this will be set against a soundtrack curated by Southampton musicians and DJs with a programme spanning genres across 60 years since Southampton became a city and reflecting the overarching theme for 2024 of ‘city life’. Artists include well-known Southampton street artist Slam and other established artists Epod, Mr Cenz and Vane MG.
Sarah Tinsley, Director of Marketing & Placemaking at Hammerson (owner of Westquay) said: ‘We’re excited to be bringing ‘Multi-Stories’ back to Westquay following its huge success last year. Collaborating with local artists is just one of the innovative ways we are evolving Westquay from a place where people come only to shop, to a ‘destination’ offering an exciting mix of entertainment, leisure and social experiences. Southampton is bustling with creativity and we’re looking forward to once again championing and providing a platform for local talent”.
Claire Whitaker CBE, CEO of Southampton Forward, said “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Westquay again on such an exciting project. We look forward to building on the success of last year and to seeing more of the multi-storey car park transformed with beautiful murals in a range of styles. It’s a fun event for local communities that showcases local talent alongside artists from further afield, and having a lasting impact for public art in Southampton to create a more vibrant city”.
Paintshop, a local Creative Studio who blend graffiti art with graphic design, are back for the second year curating the artwork and free art workshops alongside local creative producer Joe Ross. Ricky Also, a born and bred Sotonian, is the Creative Director behind Paintshop and a renowned mural artist. Last year in addition to curating the event he also created the large ‘The World is Yours’ mural in collaboration with artists Bonzai and Squirl.
Ricky Also said: “Paintshop are really happy to be back for the second year working on the ‘Multi-Stories’ project. Live painting events like this offer a unique opportunity for people to connect with street art, getting under the skin and witness the creative process firsthand.
“Not only are we transforming ordinary grey urban spaces into vibrant artworks, we also hope to play a part in inspiring the next generation of artists. Growing up in Southampton I know how just much creative potential there is in the city and events like Multi-Stories are exactly what we need’.
Multi-Stories will take place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May 12-6pm on Levels 1,2 and 3 of the Westquay Multi-Storey car park. The car park will be open to vehicles as normal.
Southampton Forward launches new online platform, the Southampton Creative Directory, to support the growth of local creative industries anniversary year
Southampton Forward have just launched the Southampton Creative Directory – www.southamptoncreativedirectory.org.uk – a new online platform designed to profile a wide range of local creative businesses and individuals.
This new Directory provides an easy-to-signpost space for creatives to showcase their talents and skills and will be actively promoted to businesses, charities, nonprofits, schools, individuals and other creative businesses. By becoming part of the Directory, creatives can increase their visibility to potential clients and collaborators within Southampton and beyond.
Claire Whitaker CBE, CEO of Southampton Forward, said: “We are committed to fostering creativity and collaboration within our vibrant city. Through the Southampton Creative Directory, we want to help creative businesses thrive.”
“We invite creatives and cultural organisations to join the directory and seize the opportunity it presents to support their growth by promoting their business or skillset to the region. We know what a wealth of talent the creative community of Southampton has to offer, and we want that to be as easy to share as possible.”
“Southampton is brimming with diverse creative talent, yet often these gems remain undiscovered due to fragmented visibility. The launch of the Southampton Creative Directory is a move towards enhancing the city’s creative economy and putting Southampton on the map as a hub for innovation and creative talent.”
The Directory will be a comprehensive resource for individuals and organisations eager to engage with the city’s diverse creative talents. With just a few clicks, users can discover and connect with a range of creatives offering a wide range of services.
The new online platform will serve as the go-to for anyone wanting to showcase their talents and be a valuable tool for businesses who want to work locally to find the perfect freelancer, collaborator or supplier for an event.
A critical aspect of Southampton Forward’s mission is the formation of a strong coalition comprising community organisations, local partners, and stakeholders, all with a shared goal of driving sustainable social, economic, and cultural change in Southampton.
By spotlighting local creative businesses, the Southampton Creative Directory contributes to the sustainability of the local economy and supports cross-sector collaboration that it is hoped will lead to new opportunities and innovative creative solutions.
Southampton Creative Directory launched in March 2024 to signpost and showcase the breadth of local talent with the aim of helping to pinpoint the perfect local collaborator or commission a creative for a project.
We undertook a period of trustee recruitment from December 2023 – February 2024, to augment the skillset and experience of our Trustee Board, and with a particular focus on community engagement and inclusion. We were also looking for a finance trustee to ensure robust financial governance.
Sharon Lloyd
Sharon studied at Winchester School of Art and has worked in the city for over 20 years as a senior academic. She believes in investing in a diverse range of cultures and organisations to ensure all voices are heard. Her professional expertise combines education, industry and arts & culture with a specific focus on equity, diversity, inclusivity and belonging.
Sharon is a co-founder of Fashion Academics Creating Equality (FACE) and DEI co-chair at the British Beauty Council, awarded Champion of Change by Vogue Business in 2023.
Jo Ash CBE
A born and bred Sotonian, Jo has a long background of involvement in the city’s voluntary and community sector, having been CEO of Southampton Voluntary Services for almost 30 years and at a national level as trustee and Vice Chair of the National Council of Voluntary Organisations.
Since retiring in 2021 Jo has continued her involvement in city life as Vice Chair of the Society of St James charity, supporting homeless and vulnerable people; as Lay Member of Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Board, and as trustee of Hampshire and IoW Community Foundation.
Hayden Collins
Hayden is a Community Participation Officer with a focus on Children and Young People, and his remit also includes Sports Development. Also a born and bred Sotonian, it’s a place close to his heart.
Hayden is passionate about the inclusion of young people in decision-making, having created and managed the UK Youth Parliament and the Southampton Children’s Mayor, bringing young people into the heart of the city and what we do.
Stephen Obuba
Stephen is currently the Associate Director of Finance at London Metropolitan University.
As well as a strong foundation in accounting principles, Stephen has a weatlh of experience in broader management roles at Impertial College London, ThinkSpace and Trinity Laban Conservatoire where he has led financial teams and ensured strong governance and meticulous financial reporting.
Jane Austen’s travelling writing desk is going on display in Southampton for the first time since she lived in the city over 200 years ago, providing literary and history fans the chance to see up-close what she used to pen early drafts of now internationally famous novels.
From November 2024 until February 2025, the famous novelist’s travelling writing desk will be displayed in God’s House Tower, just a stone’s throw from where she lived during her time in Southampton. This marks the start of a city-wide programme of activities and events celebrating the writer’s 250th birthday in 2025, including opportunities for local communities to get involved through workshops, creative commissions and activities.
Given to Jane Austen by her father in December 1794, the portable writing desk opens to provide a slope on which to write, and has various compartments, including a lockable drawer for paper and valuables.
‘a space’ arts has worked with Southampton Forward to secure the desk on loan from the British Library, supported by funding from Art Fund, the national charity for art. This is the first time the writing desk will be returning to Southampton since the famous author lived in the city between 1806 and 1809.
One of the most famous British authors, Jane Austen’s strong connections to the south of England – Hampshire and Bath in particular – have been well publicised, but the writer’s links with Southampton are lesser known. Austen was sent to school in Southampton when she was 7 years old and visited several more times before living in the city in her early 30s.
‘a space’ arts manage God’s House Tower, the award-winning flagship arts and heritage venue located in Southampton’s historic Old Town. Through capital investment, an ambitious programme of exhibitions and artist commissions, ‘a space’ have re-animated the 13th century heritage building with support from Southampton City Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. Their partnership with Southampton Forward on this project means that God’s House Tower has gained national loan accreditation status, supported by Southampton City Council’s Culture team, opening up future opportunities to borrow important works from national collections.
Dan Crow, Director of ‘a space’ arts, said: “We are thrilled to host the travelling writing desk and look forward to producing an exhibition that will launch a city-wide programme of events and activities to mark Jane’s 250th birthday. This is a fantastic opportunity for ‘a space’, our team and award-winning venue GHT, to expand our knowledge, reach new audiences and gain international exposure”.
a space’ is working closely with Southampton Forward on this project, an independent charity that works in partnership across the city to enhance the cultural and economic impact of Southampton.
Claire Whitaker, CBE, CEO of Southampton Forward, said: “This is a great opportunity for the city. The return of Jane Austen’s desk to Southampton marks the first in a series of events which celebrate ‘Jane Austen 250’, which is part of a regional programme. These events will celebrate Jane Austen’s deep ties to Southampton, invite different perspectives of her life and literary works and explore her writing through a contemporary lens”.
From November the desk will be exhibited in the Collections Gallery, with a contemporary artist commissioned to fill GHT’s main gallery from January 2025. A participatory women’s creative writing programme will offer routes to explore Austen’s life through the lens of her writing, the desk, and her time in Southampton.
Alexandra Ault, Lead Curator of Modern Archives and Manuscripts at the British Library, said: “We are thrilled to be sharing one of the treasures from the national collection with the city of Southampton. Jane Austen lived in Southampton for a number of years and we are excited for more people to see the travelling writing desk on which the author drafted many of her famous novels.”
The national loan accreditation for God’s House Tower comes after Arts Council England (ACE) awarded Southampton’s City Art Gallery £2.23m as part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Museum Estates and Development Fund and ACE’s £1.5m investment in Southampton Forward.
Councillor Lorna Fielker, Leader of Southampton City Council said:
“It is fantastic that we can highlight a nationally important female author with strong connections to Southampton and the region through the partnership of Southampton City Council, Southampton Forward, ‘a space arts’ and the Art Fund. This is an important step in developing our cultural tourism offer to attract regional, national and international visitors, by leveraging investment to grow the cultural experience alongside Southampton City Art Gallery, SeaCity Museum, Tudor House, Solent Sky Museum, John Hansard Gallery and many others to deliver economic growth and prosperity.”
Jane Austen had strong connections to Southampton. Visiting several times, she also spent a few years living in the city between 1806 and 1809. Next year marks Jane Austen’s 250th birthday (16th December 2025), and the exhibition at God’s House Tower from November 2024 will mark the start of a dedicated programme of events and activities that will run throughout 2025.
Bringing Investors and Local Decision Makers Together
Last week, Impact Investing Institute hosted a joint event with Southampton Forward and Southampton City Council to bring together local decision makers and investors. Together, we explored the role that place-based impact investing can play in mobilising more capital to create a thriving economy and community in Southampton.
Southampton Forward have started building and are working to further strengthen the strong coalition of community organisations, local partners and stakeholders who are invested in the city and are united in their goal to drive sustainable social, economic and cultural change in Southampton.
It was a great opportunity to learn about Southampton’s long-term vision and ambitions for the city, and also tour key sites including Old Northam Road and the Cultural Quarter.
Investors shared their thoughts and experiences on what makes a place investable, what the main barriers to investing are, and shared successful examples of place-based impact investing.
Some key learnings from the session:
The value of early and long-term engagement between place and investors Different types of capital are required to address different challenges Impact is a strong unifier of vision and aspirations for a place
We learnt a lot from our conversations on the day and we are excited to continue to support Southampton on their journey. Our ambition is to further build our understanding of what it means for a place to build a long-term place-based impact investing approach and inspire more places to follow.
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