Social Streets C.I.C is a not-for-profit news and media organisation with a social mission.
Our charitable. objective is to work to increase participation in the local community and local democracy because we believe a strong and thriving local community, bound by thick networks, is essential for the wellbeing of its people.
The idea for Social Streets C.I.C was created to give a voice to a neighbourhood in one of the most deprived boroughs in the UK, Roman Road in Bow, Tower Hamlets.
Too small to attract investment from local authorities or BIDs, Roman Road was left to languish. This resulted in high vacancy rates, high levels of business churn, low footfall and a lack of engagement from the local community. The local economy – and by extension the community it served – became stagnant and invisible.
Yet like all neighbourhoods, Roman Road was rich with history, heritage, local heroes, historic shops, culture, art, community groups, architecture and, most importantly, community spirit. Local arts, heritage, cultural and charitable organisations were generating inspiring and valuable work, yet they were struggling to reach their audiences due to poor communications infrastructure.
Founder Tabitha Stapely worked with local partners to create a community-led publication that drew on both professional and citizen journalism to report on local news and events, and to document the area’s heritage and culture. The publication created content from a community perspective looking at themes, issues and initiatives that mattered to local people, ultimately creating a sense of civic pride that would lead to increased participation and inward investment.
