Tower Blocks UK at the Festival for Community Organising: Championing Safety and Community Empowerment

On May 2, 2025, Tower Blocks UK attended the Festival for Community Organising held at Camberwell College of Art in Southwark. The event focused on fostering grassroots activism and strengthening local communities. Our participation highlighted the ongoing safety issues faced by residents living in tower blocks, drawing insights from past tragedies to advocate for better living conditions.

Engaging with a Diverse Community

The festival brought together a diverse group of participants, including student activists from the University of the Arts London (UAL) and representatives from Citizens UK. This provided an excellent platform for us to discuss our shared mission of promoting safer living environments and raising awareness about the unique challenges affecting tower block communities.

During the community lunch, we had an opportunity to share insights from our advocacy work while also listening to the experiences and concerns of residents and activists alike. All participants expressed a deep commitment to advocating for systemic change in housing safety and policy.

Addressing Safety Concerns

Our discussions focused on the critical need for improved safety standards in tower blocks. In light of past tragedies including locally at Lakanal House, it is evident that many safety regulations and building standards must be reevaluated and strengthened. Key points we emphasised during the event included:

• Advocacy for Better Safety Standards: The importance of pushing for comprehensive reforms that prioritise residents’ safety and hold accountable those responsible for housing conditions.

• Community Empowerment: There has been a resurgence in community organising, which is essential for advocating for better safety measures and policies. Engaging residents in discussions about their rights and the importance of collective action remains a cornerstone of our advocacy work.

• Educational Outreach: We discussed the necessity of providing educational resources that inform residents about fire safety, building regulations, and their rights. Empowering communities with knowledge is crucial in fostering a culture of safety and vigilance.

Collaboration with Student Activists and Citizens UK

The involvement of student activists from UAL injected fresh perspectives into our discussions. Their enthusiasm for advocacy underscores the significance of intergenerational collaboration in driving change. Additionally, working alongside Citizens UK highlights the power of community coalitions in addressing social justice issues.

Together, we explored strategies to enhance community engagement and mobilise support for campaigns aimed at improving safety in tower blocks. The festival reaffirmed that collaborative efforts can lead to meaningful change and that the voices of tower block residents must be amplified.

Moving Forward

We remain committed to advocating for safer housing and supporting residents in their pursuit of accountability and justice.

We encourage everyone to stay engaged in these vital discussions. Resident voices matter, and together we can work towards creating safer, more inclusive tower block communities. Join us in this important mission.