Occupy community groups and public services: a discussion to find a new space for community and voluntary action.
Tuesday December 13th 2pm to 4pm, Room 1.05, The Bank of Ideas, 29 Sun Street (near Liverpool Street station), London EC2M 2PS. Occupy London’s Bank of Ideas is a community occupation of an abandoned office block purchased several years ago by the bank UBS. It is an enormous space complete with a 500-seater lecture hall. It has been opened to the public for the non-monetary trade of ideas to help solve economic, social and environmental problems of our time. There is room for community groups, youth clubs, nurseries and other public services that have lost their space due to Government spending cuts. We thought it was time NCIA got involved and made some links. We hope you can join us at this impromptu activist assembly!
NCIA has been documenting threats to voluntary action from cuts, commissioning, top-down management methods, and loss of confidence and purpose in organisations. Meanwhile, people persevere in local community action – they care for each other, organise local support and activities, ask questions, challenge and change the status quo. In a recent Guardian article, Stuart Hall notes that weighty professional voices have joined protests against structural reforms and cuts. But he also highlighted the role of unexpected developments and counter-movements, resistance, alternative strategies and visions.
This assembly at is one of those unexpected opportunities: to make links between voluntary sector workers and activists, find out what is emerging and imagine alternatives. All are welcome to listen to some of our members talk about their experiences and to join in open discussion about how to defend our unique, ungoverned space.
Invite friends and colleagues, but let us know if you’re attending if possible, so we have an idea of how many to expect. The Bank of Ideas has comfortable carpeted rooms, but there is a limited number of chairs. You might like to bring a cushion to sit on, or let us know if you want us to bring one for you. If you’re coming from outside London, we may be able to cover some travel expenses: please get in touch with us first to check: info@independentaction.net.
In case anyone has concerns, squatting in vacant commercial property is not a criminal offence. Anyone who’s been down to the Bank of Ideas will know that the atmosphere is relaxed and positive. Health and safety is being taken very seriously.
Join our discussion! If not now, when?