Thursday 07 Feb 2008 @ 11:14
WiredGov Newswire (news from other organisations)
WiredGov Newswire (news from other organisations)
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust - Official Opening of the Stephen Lawrence Centre
The Stephen Lawrence Centre will be officially opened on 7th February 2008 by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, at a ceremony in Deptford, South London. The Centre, purpose-built and opening on budget, has already proved invaluable in the Trust’s work with 2,495 young people during 2007. The Trust has received letters of support for the opening from Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Leader of the Opposition David Cameron, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg and Green Party MEP for South East England Dr. Caroline Lucas.
The Stephen Lawrence Centre is an enduring celebration of Stephen’s life, which was tragically cut short by his murder in 1993. Stephen's dream was to become an architect, and in building the Centre the Trust – an educational charity – has created a place for community learning and social research that will inspire and motivate young people to pursue successful careers in architecture and associated professions involving urban design and urban renewal.
Funded by the Trust and through commercial and public-sector contributions, activities at the Centre bring tangible, life-changing benefits to this country’s most vulnerable communities by forging relationships with industry leaders and professional associations, and adding value to investors’ contributions. The Centre is a laboratory for developing new methods of support for young people from disadvantaged communities and new best-practice models for national dissemination.
The Trust promotes quality and excellence, and the Centre’s ‘Youth, Creativity and Urban Design’ curriculum offers academic and vocational programmes in partnership with leading firms and academic institutions. The Trust intends to prove that high expectations and a nurturing environment can turn the tide of low achievement in deprived inner-city communities.
The Centre’s in-house curriculum and outreach activities for schools primarily target young people aged 14 to 25 years who are living in poverty. Project and course portfolios include science, technology, engineering and maths, urban design, architecture and sustainable regeneration, alongside robotics and computer skills, employability training, information, advice and guidance, as well as teacher training, research and mentoring schemes.
The Centre was built with financial support from the Big Lottery Fund through the Millennium Commission, Arts Council England, London Development Agency, Berkeley Homes plc, Thames Water and the St. James Group. The Centre houses mentoring rooms, flexible education studios, computer learning resources, business development suites for young entrepreneurs, and digital audiovisual and design facilities.
Quotes
Doreen Lawrence OBE, Director of The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, said:
"Today marks the fulfilment of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust's vision, to create a fitting and lasting legacy for the life of Stephen. Although Stephen was so tragically denied the chance to realise his dream of becoming an architect, the Stephen Lawrence Centre will provide opportunities for young people to realise their aspirations in urban design.”
Karin Woodley, Chief Executive of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, said:
"The Stephen Lawrence Centre will raise the expectations of young people, build their self-esteem and enable them to gain the skills and training they need to pursue rewarding careers in urban design and regeneration. As urban designers of the future, they will be trained to envision, create and promote socially, environmentally and economically sustainable and inclusive communities – and to champion diversity and change."
HRH The Prince of Wales, said:
“Stephen Lawrence was cruelly robbed of the chance to develop his potential talents in the field of architecture. Our lives are shaped by the towns and cities we inhabit and by the beauty or the ugliness of our surroundings. From time to time, this powerful truth so touches a young man, or a young woman, that they decide they must become an architect – to play some part in arresting the tide of uglification which threatens to engulf us, and to re-introduce beauty and harmony."
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said:
“I share your aims – by investing in our young people we can strengthen our communities and strengthen Britain, and most fundamentally, show that the opportunity and support to develop young people’s talents must be open not just to some but to all.”
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said:
“The racist murder of Stephen Lawrence was a terrible tragedy for his family and a crime against community relations in London. It is extraordinary that his killers have not been brought to justice. The failings of the original police investigation, and the inquiry that followed, have transformed the understanding of the depth of the problem of institutional racism in many of our most important institutions. The opening of this centre in his name will serve as a living memorial to his aspirations and be a beacon for young people who might not otherwise get the chance wanting to develop their skills and contribute to the wider community through architecture and design. The Stephen Lawrence Centre is also a testament to his mother Doreen's determination to bring this project to fruition. I wish it every success.”
The Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron, said:
“This occasion marks another milestone in the work of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, as it seeks to extend opportunities to more young people. It is great to hear the accounts of the potential that has been unlocked as a result of all the Trust has achieved, and I am sure the state-of-the-art facilities available in the Centre will take this work to a new level.”
The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, said:
“This new centre will make a real difference to disadvantaged young people. Where young people are currently denied opportunity because of financial hardship, the Stephan Lawrence Centre will extend opportunity so they can pursue their aspirations.”
Green Party MEP for South East England, Dr Caroline Lucas, said:
“Your efforts to empower communities through education and regeneration are key to achieving the stability and cooperation necessary for a safer urban environment.”
To arrange interviews with Doreen Lawrence (Director) or Karin Woodley (Chief Executive or for general enquires contact:
Marjorie Thompson +44(0)7880 781 596 or Richard Margrave +44(0)7789 692 360
To attend the official opening contact:
Tim Joliffe 0208 100 2808
Notes to the Editor
1. The Stephen Lawrence Centre was designed by award-winning architect David Adjaye and incorporates a two-storey glass façade designed by 1998 Turner Prize winner Chris Ofili. The site was blessed by Archbishop of York John Sentamu.
2. The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust was founded in 1998. Its mission is to:
3. The Stephen Lawrence Centre's 'Youth, Creativity and Urban Design' programme is delivered through three portfolios:
4. Key facts
• Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust is founded in 1998
• Stephen Lawrence Prize for architecture is inaugurated in 1999 as the second largest architectural prize in the UK, awarded alongside the Stirling Prize and sponsored by the Marco Goldschmied Foundation
• The Stephen Lawrence Inaugural Memorial Lecture is given by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2000. Speakers for this annual lecture (held at RIBA over the past two years), have included Dr. Maya Angelou, Trevor Phillips OBE, Lord Richard Rogers, Spencer de Grey OBE, Michael Mansfield QC, Sir Keith Ajegbo OBE and Sunand Prasad (President of RIBA), among other distinguished figures
• Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust architectural bursaries and scholarships are also launched in 2000. 50 students currently benefit from bursaries and scholarships, and in November 2007 Prime Minister Gordon Brown hosted a special reception for them at No. 10 Downing Street
• In 2003, the Centre’s Brookmill Road site is gifted to the Trust by St. James Group. The freeholder, Thames Water, grants the Trust a 999-year lease at a peppercorn rent
5. Capital funding for the Centre’s construction and development:
6. Partners on the Centre’s learning, training and skills programmes include (among others):
Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust
Stephen Lawrence Centre, 39 Brookmill Road, London SE8 4HU www.stephenlawrence.org.uk
The Stephen Lawrence Centre is an enduring celebration of Stephen’s life, which was tragically cut short by his murder in 1993. Stephen's dream was to become an architect, and in building the Centre the Trust – an educational charity – has created a place for community learning and social research that will inspire and motivate young people to pursue successful careers in architecture and associated professions involving urban design and urban renewal.
Funded by the Trust and through commercial and public-sector contributions, activities at the Centre bring tangible, life-changing benefits to this country’s most vulnerable communities by forging relationships with industry leaders and professional associations, and adding value to investors’ contributions. The Centre is a laboratory for developing new methods of support for young people from disadvantaged communities and new best-practice models for national dissemination.
The Trust promotes quality and excellence, and the Centre’s ‘Youth, Creativity and Urban Design’ curriculum offers academic and vocational programmes in partnership with leading firms and academic institutions. The Trust intends to prove that high expectations and a nurturing environment can turn the tide of low achievement in deprived inner-city communities.
The Centre’s in-house curriculum and outreach activities for schools primarily target young people aged 14 to 25 years who are living in poverty. Project and course portfolios include science, technology, engineering and maths, urban design, architecture and sustainable regeneration, alongside robotics and computer skills, employability training, information, advice and guidance, as well as teacher training, research and mentoring schemes.
The Centre was built with financial support from the Big Lottery Fund through the Millennium Commission, Arts Council England, London Development Agency, Berkeley Homes plc, Thames Water and the St. James Group. The Centre houses mentoring rooms, flexible education studios, computer learning resources, business development suites for young entrepreneurs, and digital audiovisual and design facilities.
Quotes
Doreen Lawrence OBE, Director of The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, said:
"Today marks the fulfilment of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust's vision, to create a fitting and lasting legacy for the life of Stephen. Although Stephen was so tragically denied the chance to realise his dream of becoming an architect, the Stephen Lawrence Centre will provide opportunities for young people to realise their aspirations in urban design.”
Karin Woodley, Chief Executive of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, said:
"The Stephen Lawrence Centre will raise the expectations of young people, build their self-esteem and enable them to gain the skills and training they need to pursue rewarding careers in urban design and regeneration. As urban designers of the future, they will be trained to envision, create and promote socially, environmentally and economically sustainable and inclusive communities – and to champion diversity and change."
HRH The Prince of Wales, said:
“Stephen Lawrence was cruelly robbed of the chance to develop his potential talents in the field of architecture. Our lives are shaped by the towns and cities we inhabit and by the beauty or the ugliness of our surroundings. From time to time, this powerful truth so touches a young man, or a young woman, that they decide they must become an architect – to play some part in arresting the tide of uglification which threatens to engulf us, and to re-introduce beauty and harmony."
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, said:
“I share your aims – by investing in our young people we can strengthen our communities and strengthen Britain, and most fundamentally, show that the opportunity and support to develop young people’s talents must be open not just to some but to all.”
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said:
“The racist murder of Stephen Lawrence was a terrible tragedy for his family and a crime against community relations in London. It is extraordinary that his killers have not been brought to justice. The failings of the original police investigation, and the inquiry that followed, have transformed the understanding of the depth of the problem of institutional racism in many of our most important institutions. The opening of this centre in his name will serve as a living memorial to his aspirations and be a beacon for young people who might not otherwise get the chance wanting to develop their skills and contribute to the wider community through architecture and design. The Stephen Lawrence Centre is also a testament to his mother Doreen's determination to bring this project to fruition. I wish it every success.”
The Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron, said:
“This occasion marks another milestone in the work of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, as it seeks to extend opportunities to more young people. It is great to hear the accounts of the potential that has been unlocked as a result of all the Trust has achieved, and I am sure the state-of-the-art facilities available in the Centre will take this work to a new level.”
The Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, said:
“This new centre will make a real difference to disadvantaged young people. Where young people are currently denied opportunity because of financial hardship, the Stephan Lawrence Centre will extend opportunity so they can pursue their aspirations.”
Green Party MEP for South East England, Dr Caroline Lucas, said:
“Your efforts to empower communities through education and regeneration are key to achieving the stability and cooperation necessary for a safer urban environment.”
To arrange interviews with Doreen Lawrence (Director) or Karin Woodley (Chief Executive or for general enquires contact:
Marjorie Thompson +44(0)7880 781 596 or Richard Margrave +44(0)7789 692 360
To attend the official opening contact:
Tim Joliffe 0208 100 2808
Notes to the Editor
1. The Stephen Lawrence Centre was designed by award-winning architect David Adjaye and incorporates a two-storey glass façade designed by 1998 Turner Prize winner Chris Ofili. The site was blessed by Archbishop of York John Sentamu.
2. The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust was founded in 1998. Its mission is to:
- advance social justice by promoting diversity, equality and cohesive communities; to
- relieve poverty by removing barriers to educational achievement and employability; to
- create healthier urban communities by providing opportunities for individuals to develop their skills, pride and self-confidence.
3. The Stephen Lawrence Centre's 'Youth, Creativity and Urban Design' programme is delivered through three portfolios:
- Addressing the causes of youth disaffection and educational underachievement.
- Investing in tomorrow’s workforces.
- Promoting equality and diversity.
4. Key facts
• Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust is founded in 1998
• Stephen Lawrence Prize for architecture is inaugurated in 1999 as the second largest architectural prize in the UK, awarded alongside the Stirling Prize and sponsored by the Marco Goldschmied Foundation
• The Stephen Lawrence Inaugural Memorial Lecture is given by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2000. Speakers for this annual lecture (held at RIBA over the past two years), have included Dr. Maya Angelou, Trevor Phillips OBE, Lord Richard Rogers, Spencer de Grey OBE, Michael Mansfield QC, Sir Keith Ajegbo OBE and Sunand Prasad (President of RIBA), among other distinguished figures
• Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust architectural bursaries and scholarships are also launched in 2000. 50 students currently benefit from bursaries and scholarships, and in November 2007 Prime Minister Gordon Brown hosted a special reception for them at No. 10 Downing Street
• In 2003, the Centre’s Brookmill Road site is gifted to the Trust by St. James Group. The freeholder, Thames Water, grants the Trust a 999-year lease at a peppercorn rent
5. Capital funding for the Centre’s construction and development:
- The Big Lottery Fund manages the residual duties of the wound up Millennium Commission, which awarded the Stephen Lawrence Centre a grant of £4.168 million. The Big Lottery Fund is the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors supporting health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK.
- The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust raised £2.642 from donations and industry for the Centre
- The London Development Agency contributed £1.735 million to the Centre’s development
- Arts Council England contributed £1.513 million
6. Partners on the Centre’s learning, training and skills programmes include (among others):
- Academic: Central St. Martins (University of the Arts), Goldsmiths College, Imperial College, Institute of Education, Lewisham College, London South Bank University, Oxford Brookes University, University of East London, University of Greenwich
- Industry: Balfour Beatty, Beattie McGuiness Bungay, BT and BT Property Services, ConstructionSkills, DLA Piper, Halcrow, J Laing Partnership, Monteray, Reed in Partnership, RIBA and RIBA Trust, Tesco, Telereal, Wilmott Dixon
- Public sector: Lewisham Council, Greenwich Council, Learning Skills Council, London Development Agency, Arts Council England
Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust
Stephen Lawrence Centre, 39 Brookmill Road, London SE8 4HU www.stephenlawrence.org.uk
