A new public artwork inspired by poems written by local young people has been unveiled in the Camley Street underpass gallery, celebrating the stories, memories and imagination of the community that calls this part of Camden home.

The installation draws on writing produced through the Community Storytellers programme — a 10 week paid creative project that was part of the engagement around the proposed redevelopment of Camley Street to create a new mixed neighbourhood of homes, workspace and green and public space.

This will be the fifth installation in the Connecting Camley series. Since June 2022, the project has showcased a vibrant collection of artworks created by local communities and artists along the outdoor billboard gallery, celebrating Camden’s strengths, diversity, and future.

Run by development partners Ballymore Lateral with the Council’s Community Investment Programme team and engagement consultant make:good, the Community Storytellers programme ran over ten weeks in Summer 2025, bringing together local young people to explore creative ways of telling the story of Camley Street. 

Through a series of workshops, the cohort learned skills in photography, poetry, interviewing and digital content creation, capturing the sights, sounds and spirit of the Camley Street neighbourhood. Their poetry and photography was celebrated at a graduation event with family and friends, and the Camley Street project team.

Now, the writing and photography captured by the young people have been used to create the latest in a series of temporary artworks that brighten the underpass – one of the area’s busiest pedestrian routes. 

The programme was one of several initiatives designed to engage young people and generate social value, ensuring their ideas directly shaped the evolving redevelopment plans while also fostering their skills and confidence."

Councillor Nasrine Djemai, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Community Investment said: 

“It’s fantastic that local young people have taken part in this programme and have been able to get involved with shaping the plans for the future of Camley Street. The poems show the pride and creativity of our community — and it’s great to see them brought to life for everyone to enjoy.”

Lauren Kehoe, Development Manager at Ballymore added::

“Listening to the local community in and around Camley Street has been a really vital part of the development of the proposals we have brought forward. Over the last 18 months or so we’ve worked closely with the Council team to build on the years of work they had already done with the local community to ensure their wants and needs have been heard.

“Young people have been a particular focus of this work, and the Community Storytellers programme a highlight. The feedback from the participants has been overwhelmingly positive and we hope that they gained new skills that will help them for life.

“The underpass artwork is a fitting tribute to the passion these young people showed for their area and we’re delighted that it will be in place for the next few months.”