Get involved
We want to continue to grow the archive for future generations, so if you live or have lived in the area and have a story to tell or images of Thamesmead through the ages – or if you simply want to help to develop the archive as a volunteer – here’s how you can get involved.
Southmere from Binsey
Thamesmead launches new community archive
The Thamesmead Community Archive has been funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and started in 2018 as part of Thamesmead’s 50th-anniversary celebrations. Over the last two years, we have collected materials from over 30 local residents and worked closely with Bexley Local Studies and Archive, the London Metropolitan Archive, British Library and the RIBA archive to build up hundreds of materials that tell Thamesmead’s story.
The archive has been developed by Peabody’s Culture team in Thamesmead and TACO! an arts organisation based in Thamesmead. We hope to work with more local residents in the future to grow and help shape the archive for future generations.
The archive is accessible via this website. However, we have more digital materials saved and physical materials that can be viewed upon appointment.
Contribute
The future of the archive relies on more materials being collected and contributed. We are looking for any materials dating from 1968 that relate specifically to the Thamesmead area, or materials which document the building and development of Thamesmead from the mid-1960s. These could be personal photographs and videos, or old Thamesmead documents and ephemera. The materials should be of interest to a broad audience and say something about Thamesmead’s history. If you are unsure whether the material you own relevant to the archive then get in touch.
Your materials will be scanned, catalogued and then some or all of them will be added to this website. You will keep your original materials unless you decide to donate them to the archive for care and safekeeping. By providing us with the materials you give us permission to use them for sharing with the public through the website, and in use in exhibitions, films and publications about Thamesmead. You can see our collections policy here
Fill in a few details here about your materials and we will be in touch.
Calling for Community Archivists
We are looking for volunteers with a passion for Thamesmead and local history to help us develop the archive. You will be involved in collecting materials from the local community, scanning and cataloguing items, suggesting stories for the website, helping to organise talks and events about Thamesmead’s past, and helping us to decide how the archive should grow.
In exchange for volunteering, you will have the chance to meet new people, learn new skills, and contribute to this important resource for Thamesmead.
If you would like to find out more or are interested in volunteering please contact Lisa Drew, lisa.drew@peabody.org.uk
Festival Goers, Southmere