One Kilburn

There are so many active organisations in Kilburn leading activities and projects that make a huge difference to the neighbourhood - and there are other people that would like to get involved but perhaps don’t know where to start. There are several planned and proposed projects in Kilburn, some led by the two local authorities, Brent and Camden, some led by local organisations and residents too.  

One Kilburn brings together all the different projects, ideas and conversations of the past, present and future in one place online to share learnings, reflections, and support conversations on how together we can turn our ideas into action.  

Contents

• What's happening?
• Mission, Aims and Values
• Why we need a One Kilburn website? 
• How can I get involved?
• One Kilburn meeting notes

What's happening?

Kilburn is home to a diverse range of organisations, businesses and residents’ groups that have been working on impactful projects and initiatives for many years. Kilburn’s rich and vibrant voluntary and community sector has rallied in inspiring ways, whether through a pandemic or in response to the cost-of-living crisis, climate emergency or other challenges. It is important to recognise this network of people and the work that they do – and to find ways to involve others too.

Camden was one of two areas in London that successfully secured funding and support from Power to Change and the Greater London Authority to test new ways of getting local people involved in shaping and improving their town centre. Local people know Kilburn best. This includes what’s brilliant about the neighbourhood (a lot!), what needs to improve and how the town centre can best serve local needs. We are working to identify and test ways of enabling local people to have a greater say and involvement in work to improve Kilburn Town Centre, building on the work that the Kilburn Neighbourhood Plan Forum are doing with their strategic plan. 

This is with a view to ensuring that people feel a greater sense of ownership of their town centre, to support building stronger partnerships to enable delivery of social action projects and vibrant activities in the area.

Recognising Kilburn is a unique neighbourhood, we want to work with local people to create an approach that is specific to Kilburn. Local people are coming together to create this. The ‘working title’ for the partnership is currently One Kilburn, reflecting the importance of local people, the councils, charities, businesses and institutions pulling together with a shared focus. So far, people are shaping local projects and participating in walkabouts across Kilburn to network and share knowledge, ideas and reflections on where the partnership could go and what its priorities should be.

The key principles of this approach are being developed and agreed by local people. We have an opportunity to enable action and long-lasting positive change in Kilburn - to provide ways for local people to share project ideas for social action, work together, develop and deliver projects and, ultimately, to ensure that local people have greater control over how Kilburn develops. 

One Kilburn has been created by Camden Council alongside local community groups, residents and Brent Council, but the aspiration is for local people to take ownership. This is work in progress and is only possible due to the commitment, energy and ideas of the local people that have been involved so far. We hope that more people join One Kilburn in the coming weeks and months! 

Mission

To nurture a sense of community, place and belonging in Kilburn, by having conversations and working together with local people, and supporting community-led activities.

Aims

One Kilburn is an alliance of local people, organisations, and businesses, working together to improve the quality of life of everyone in Kilburn. We encourage collaborative, community-led activities across all Kilburn, whether in the boroughs of Brent, Camden Westminster.

We do this by:

• Networking: supporting local community-led activities, helping to share local experiences through a network of organisations, initiatives, businesses and individuals. The One Kilburn website plays an essential role in this work, with opportunities, news items and guest blogs added regularly
• Providing a local voice: influencing and holding those with power to account, such as local authorities, NHS, police, corporate interests, and providing a platform for engagement and decision making across borough boundaries.
• Developing own activities and projects: working in partnership with local people and organisations to help meet the current and future aspirations of Kilburn.  
• Promoting community leadership: building leadership skills to support community-led projects and activities could be a key to One Kilburn’s success. 

In achieving our aims, One Kilburn will collaborate with other local initiatives and developments. In particular, the One Kilburn alliance must be clearly aligned with Kilburn Neighbourhood Plan Forum (KNPF) and the powers and responsibilities that will come with the Neighbourhood Plan. One Kilburn and KNPF will work in a complementary way, reflecting their respective roles.
 
 Values

• Inclusivity: we engage with everyone across Kilburn and collaborate with people, organisations, initiatives and businesses that identify with our vision, mission and values. 
• Respect: we are committed to the values of equality, democracy, and social and environmental justice, and are against all forms of exploitation and abuse. We respect one another and different opinions and we encourage public debate while aiming for unity on decisions. 
• Diversity: Kilburn’s people, its many leaders and its unique environment make it the vibrant place it is. We know that many communities have different issues and concerns, so there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach.
• Openness: We are committed to working openly and transparently. Our meetings are open to all and we record and share information about our activities on the One Kilburn website.
• Accountability: We are community-led, making sure that ideas come from the community and that decisions are made by the community. At the same time, we recognise that Camden, Brent and Westminster councils need to work closely together to support the collaboration. 
• Credibility: We hope to become a local voice that reflects the ambitions and needs of the local community.
• Ethics: we follow the highest standards of fairness and principles in everything we do. We know that, currently, our network is not as diverse as Kilburn’s communities – we need young people, people from different cultures, businesses, faith groups, schools from across the Kilburn area. We will continue to reach out proactively to Kilburn’s communities to diversify the network. 

Operating principles

• Geographical coverage: One Kilburn covers all of Kilburn, whether it is in Brent, Camden or Westminster. Kilburn does not have a clear boundary – it is defined by identity, place and culture, rather than physical boundaries. 
• Practicality: One Kilburn encourages positive, practical action, with measurable outcomes to bring people together and to test out ideas.
• Governance: One Kilburn will develop an infrastructure and operating model, including a network of specialist sub-groups, and a governance structure that reflects our aims and values. We will make sure that we work sustainably and collaboratively with the local councils. 
• Visibility: One Kilburn aims to have a visible presence and to be clearly recognisable to all people in Kilburn, reflecting our commitment to openness and transparency.

January 2024

Why we need a One Kilburn website... 

Kilburn is a diverse and energetic neighbourhood with well-connected transport links, distinct architecture and brilliant organisations, businesses and community groups working hard to make Kilburn an even better place to live, work and spend time in.  At the heart of Kilburn lies the bustling Kilburn High Road and the distinctive Willesden Lane.  

There are so many active organisations in Kilburn leading activities and projects that make a huge difference to the neighbourhood - and there are other people that would like to get involved but perhaps don’t know where to start. There are several planned and proposed projects in Kilburn, some led by the two local authorities, Brent and Camden, some led by local organisations and residents too.  

One Kilburn brings together all the different projects, ideas and conversations of the past, present and future in one place online to share learnings, reflections, and support conversations on how together we can turn our ideas into action.  

The two councils have a fundamental role to play in realising this. However, Camden and Brent councils know that successful high streets and neighbourhoods are the outcome of the combined efforts of residents, businesses, and institutions. Kilburn Town Centre belongs to all of us and so many people want to make a difference within their neighbourhood - and have great ideas!   

Recognising that not every local citizen is active online, the online platform will run alongside continued regular walkabouts and in person events. Contact OneKilburn@camden.gov.uk to learn more about these!  

The development of One Kilburn responds to common feedback that it would be beneficial to have one place online for all work related to Kilburn to point people to and support joining people up! 

Let's work together to collectively make Kilburn a place where everyone has a part to play.  

One Kilburn has been created by Camden Council alongside local community groups, residents and Brent Council, but the aspiration for the online platform is for local people to take ownership of this space. One Kilburn is a work in progress and will naturally evolve over time with the great ideas and collaboration of local people and organisations. 

How can I get involved?   

We are at an early stage with One Kilburn. The starting point to the work is to provide lots of interesting and fun opportunities for local people to come together, meet and find ways to work together. 

To date, we have worked with local organisations to create One Kilburn, an online platform where local people can share project ideas and see and share the latest news. 

Many local people have also been involved in projects to improve Kilburn Town Centre, with people coming together to share their ideas and creativity. 

A series of workshops with a steering group of local groups has also been organised, with local people working together to identify One Kilburn’s purpose, values and principles. Information on the purpose of the One Kilburn planning meetings and details on what has been discussed in meetings so far can be found on the next page titled 'One Kilburn Planning notes'.

We continue to organise regular networking events and walkabouts of the neighbourhood and we would love more and more local people to join us. Details of the latest events and opportunities can be found on the ‘Latest news’ section of One Kilburn.  

There are many ways to get involved in One Kilburn, including – 

• Attending future One Kilburn events - be the first to hear about them by signing up to latest updates 
• Suggesting project ideas to improve your neighbourhood on the Kilburn Action Wall 
• Supporting existing and proposed projects on the do something today page
• Getting involved in the wonderful local organisations working to make a difference locally 

If you have any questions about One Kilburn, please email onekilburn@camden.gov.uk. 

You can sign up to receive all the latest news updates from One Kilburn too. 

One Kilburn Meetings

One Kilburn meetings are currently held every month and include a group of local people working together to identify One Kilburn’s purpose, values and principles.

If you would like to attend these meetings please email onekilburn@camden.gov.uk

Minutes & event summaries below