About From the Ground Up

Our Story

From the Ground Up was created in response to the serious health impacts of poor air quality in Lambeth and Southwark. Research from Impact on Urban Health found that Black African and Caribbean communities are disproportionately affected, as they are more likely to live and work in highly polluted areas. Despite these impacts, Black communities have historically been underrepresented in air pollution and environmental decision-making.

This programme was developed to work with individuals in the communities most affected by these issues, to create, test, and build solutions. Over the past three years, we've worked with Black leaders in South London to deliver:

• In-person retreats, taking cohorts away into nature to practice rest, reconnection, embodied and creative practices

• Online discussions and learning circles connecting lived experience to topics such as: environmental justice, policy, existing environmental thinkers, movements and initiatives

• Self-directed reflective practice for leaders

• A community exhibition that brought together cohorts, community members, representatives from local councils and infrastructure organisations, to showcase the programme