Issue 3, 2012 www.hackney.gov.uk/cm-museum www.wordsofcolour.co.uk Reflections on the 2012 Games Produced as part of Hackney Museum’s Mapping the Change Programme 2012 The Legacy Issue egacy is an aspiration and a goal that the 2012 Games in raising awareness of sexual made its mark during the seven years health among young people is examined by leading up to the 2012 Games. From While writing their Abiola Olanipekun. health and diversity to regeneration and stories they were very Inspired by the introduction of health parks Ljob creation the expectations now the Games for older people in Spain, China and the US, are over are admirable, though the reality is still aware they would be Cathy Aymer looks at what is happening in waiting in the wings. leaving a footprint for the UK while Nancy McCarthy profiles Eton Since 2010 local people in Hackney have Misson Rowing Club, which has been training been building their own community legacy Hackney residents (and rowers in Hackney for over 127 years. through the Mapping the Change Journalism visitors) to see - now Sharon Boultwood uses the Olympic Programme by generating stories on the impact concept of nationhood to develop her family of the Olympic development on their everyday and in the future. tree, and discovers links to two host boroughs. lives. As one of the six host boroughs, Hackney Finally we ask four participants who contrib- has undergone great change with more to come. uted to the first two issues of Hackney Circuit Alongside learning basic journalism skills, to highlight how being on the programme has participants on the programme have been sup- Circuit, we felt it would be beneficial to look impacted on their lives. ported to pursue and shape the ideas they are beyond the Games at the possibilities being We hope that all the stories generated by 24 passionate about. While writing their stories created. Natalie Gormally wonders what people for three publications, spanning more they were very aware they would be leaving a Hackney’s legacy blueprint would look like than two years, makes a positive difference to footprint for Hackney residents (and visitors) to with a focus on youth and employment, re- how future generations view Hackney. see - now and in the future. generation, community engagement and As the third and final edition of Hackney health and wellbeing. The less obvious role of By Joy Francis Hackney legacy Hackney legacy Regeneration Community engagement Health and wellbeing The bid for the London 2012 Games was Hackney is a vibrant borough, well The 2012 Games is the first to have A blueprint for change? based on a plan to regenerate parts of known for both its diverse and creative stated aims to increase participation in east London. communities. Over 100 languages are physical activity and improve health. The In November 2009, the six host spoken in the borough and a history government has set a target of getting boroughs published the Strategic of multiculturalism has created a 2m people more active during 2012. Youth and employment As one of the six host Regeneration Framework, which set out strong sense of community. A growing Wellbeing is a broad cross cutting an ambitious vision for them to have the number of voluntary and community theme with links to a range of areas, boroughs for the summer Hackney is a young borough with an same social and economic chances as sector organisations and groups such as living standards, open spaces, estimated 2,044 residents falling into the 2012 Games, Hackney their more affluent London neighbours. regularly come together on common physical activity and community. 18 to 24 age bracket. Before the Games issues, interests or identities. Much of the strategic focus was part of a momentous there was a lot of activity around job What is the long term vision has been on providing healthier creation. Since 2011 the numbers of 18 celebration that captured for Hackney’s regeneration? How far have Hackney residents lifestyle opportunities through to 24 year olds claiming benefit for over Since London won the bid to host been able to influence the changes the Olympic Park and venues. the heart and minds of six months has risen by 19 per cent. the Games, Hackney has undergone taking place in the borough as Games sponsors, including Cadbury’s, 2000 The figure for those aged 24 and under people from across the The number of Hackney residents strong infrastructure development. a result of the 2012 Games? have pumped over £1m into sporting who have been claiming for more than who secured jobs, mostly short Transport improvements, such as Rikki Butler, London 2012’s community programmes, and many charities are globe. But what happens 12 months is up 163 per cent, which term, during the London the East London Line, have made engagement lead, said the London associating their programmes with is the difference between 120 young now the party is over? 2012 Games. the borough more accessible. Legacy Development Corporation the 2012 Games wellbeing aim. people and 350 young people in 2012. There are also social housing has also been working closely with Natalie Gormally selects The London Organising Committee projects such as Woodberry Down, them and the community since 2007. Now the Games are finished, will of the Olympic and Paralympic Games four key legacy areas and which is part of Hackney Council’s Butler said: “For regeneration to be this momentum of change (LOCOG) held over 80 job fairs, attended regeneration programme. successful, a sense of ownership among be sustainable? explores their potential. by thousands of people looking for Plans are afoot to turn the Olympic local communities is essential.” The 2011 Healthy Urban Planning Practice careers advice, training, apprenticeships site into the largest urban park, with Butler added: “We have engaged for the Olympic Legacy Masterplan ver the last seven years and volunteering positions. Most of these state-of-the-art sports buildings with the community through a Framework explains how changes significant investments jobs came to an end in September 2012. and thousands of new homes. number of means, from making a and improvements can be made over have been made in The Olympic Media Centre, which 24/7 hotline available to delivering a the next 20 years to reduce the gap Hackney from new sporting What are the long term will be taken over by iCITY, could bring quarterly newsletter. We introduced in health and wellbeing outcomes. Ofacilities to major transport links. employment prospects for an additional 7,000 jobs into the area. a tour programme, where local Air quality, access to travel, healthy However, a key requirement of young people in Hackney in the A spokesperson for Hackney residents were allowed access to the food and work and climate change the 2012 Games is to leave a lasting 47 % wake of the 2012 Games? The rise in the number of Council said: “As a host borough for Olympic Park in its development, after are just a few of the areas covered. and positive legacy, as highlighted Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney and Stoke computer consultancy jobs in the 2012 Games, we are seizing this they expressed their concerns.” Katie Williams, head of occupational in the original London bid. Newington, said: “The 2012 Games was the borough since 2008. opportunity for Hackney to secure the The Olympic Park is one example therapy at East London NHS Foundation This ideal outcome isn’t guaranteed. won on a promise to radically transform best legacy possible for our residents, of the community having an Trust, said: “The proximity of the London Based on past experience in other the economic landscape of east London, businesses and environment. There ongoing and hands on involvement 2012 Olympics has been an opportunity to host countries, the Games have been but there are less highly skilled jobs than are major opportunities for businesses in the area’s legacy. For many, it has focus on exercise and group activities with occasionally tainted by post event was hoped for. We need to do more and enterprise, especially with a new provided a unique opportunity to mental health service users.” images of derelict stadiums or stories of to link opportunities to local residents neighbourhood in the east of the borough. have their opinions listened to. She added: “These activities will assist unrecoverable debt. Sydney in 2000 and with real leadership on employer-led “Plans for the Media Centre are to But for a few locals, the communication them in developing long term and Athens in 2004 are two notable examples. job creation. Hackney residents need to also provide a lasting employment could still be better. Hackney Wick hopefully lifelong strategies to manage Yet cities such as Barcelona have be in line for the long term benefits.” legacy and the growth of local resident, Abdul Thorly-Bansura, added: their personal wellbeing through exercise shown what is possible with a sustainable There are some encouraging signs. enterprise and investment.” “They [Hackney Council] tell us what and contact with others through exercise.” legacy and economic growth. Since 2008 Hackney has seen a 47 per That said there is still some concern is happening, but after the decision Melissa Bliss of CoolTan Arts, a With Hackney undergoing a process cent rise in computer consultancy jobs, over how far residents and local businesses has been made. I don’t feel I can mental health and arts charity, said: of Olympic-led regeneration since a 61 per cent increase in data processing will benefit from the regeneration, change anything. Decisions should be “We know that wellbeing can be 2005, the question looming is what will jobs and a 26 per cent rise in engineering- 80+ which was also flagged up in a 2010 made at a grass roots level, through enhanced through creativity, meeting be the borough’s legacy blueprint? The estimated number of job related scientific and technical consulting.