RUSS has launched a Spacehive crowdfunding campaign to self-build a community space on our site in Ladywell with local people and volunteers to create a knowledge hub for self-building, community-led housing and sustainable living. This is the first stage of the Church Grove housing scheme.
We will consult with Ladywell groups, current and future residents on how the access and use of the facility can be open to community usage in a way that brings great benefits to the local area and wider community.
Why
This innovative idea comes from two highly acclaimed social housing projects in London in the ‘80s that enabled ordinary people to self-build their homes using a method developed by architect Walter Segal. Walters Way and Segal Close in Lewisham remain an inspiring symbol of self-build housing. We will host workshops already piloted by RUSS to share and inspire other communities in self-building and affordable housing projects.
How
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, pledged £30K to our campaign soon after our live pitch to Crowdfund London at City Hall on 25 July. Two generous pledges of £1,000 each were also made by Bringelly (Director Emma Gittus) and Footwork (Director Clare Richards). And another generous in-kind pledge of £1,300 by Jon Broome Architects.
We have attracted more than 320 backers so far, and reached 94% of our crowdfunding goal. Now the pressure is on, our challenge is to reach the crowdfunding goal of £53,500 by Wednesday 18th October 2017. If we fail to do so, we won’t get a penny including the Mayor’s pledge.
If you believe local people should have the power to build and shape their community then support our project by making a pledge, and let us know your thoughts and what’s important to you on our spacehive page or by email at sbhub@theruss.org
To find out more, please visit www.spacehive.com/ladywellselfbuild