Spread the Word is creating Lewisham as the UK’s first Borough of Literature, as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge – the country’s biggest match-funding campaign.
This groundbreaking campaign will celebrate diverse voices, connect communities through storytelling and transform how literature is accessed across London’s second most diverse borough.
During donation week in December, you’ll be able to donate directly and see your contribution matched. That’s one donation, and double the impact!
Why does Lewisham need a Borough of Literature campaign?
Lewisham has a rich literary history and is home to one of the largest concentrations of literature organisations in London. But, we also face challenges like low literacy rates, low cultural participation and a lack of representation for many of our communities.
Situation
- 31% of Lewisham’s children leave primary school unable to write at national levels
- There’s a north-south borough divide in cultural activities, and many people face barriers to taking part. Without active initiatives literature remains out of reach for many communities
- The rich mix of Lewisham’s 75 nationalities is rarely reflected in publishing or storytelling
- Our research found publishers worry books by writers of colour “won’t appeal” to audiences so diverse stories go untold.
Solution
Our Borough of Literature will transform Lewisham into a place where everyone’s story matters. We’ll run storytelling events, community writing groups, and career support for local writers. Working with residents, arts organisations, schools and libraries, we’ll open the door to partnerships and projects that celebrate Lewisham’s literary heritage and create new opportunities. Responding to what local people want: accessible events, writer support, and connections across diverse neighbourhoods.
Growing up in Lewisham, and still being here, it’s a place with this real plethora of cultures, people and stories as well. It would be great for people to have the space to tell their stories, for it to not feel it’s tied directly to literature or the written word, but just storytelling in general.