LETTERS FROM US

Letters from us is a community storytelling project celebrating the voices of Islington residents. Inspired by the long-running BBC radio programme Letter from America, the project invites local people to record their own “Letters from Islington” - sharing how they see their neighbourhood, what it means to them, and how they would describe it to someone who has never been.

Through a series of free storytelling sessions across the borough, residents from different generations and backgrounds came together in familiar community spaces to reflect on local landmarks, memories, challenges and hopes for the future.

The recorded stories have been woven into an interactive archive, presented in a travelling community living room, and accessible online.
People listening to headphones in a pop-up living room in a park

A living archive

Did you miss our storytelling living room?

Visit our playful, interactive archive of community stories, accessible via smartphone and desktop.

Listen in, and leave your own story behind.
A smartphone showing an illustrated map of Islington
Two women sitting in an outdoor living room in a park

Creative team

Project director: Marie Klimis
Live journalist:
Glenda Cooper
Creative programmer:
Suzanna Hurst
Illustrator: Jess Sanders

Partners: Letters from us was developed in partnership with Mildmay Community Centre, Highbury Roundhouse, St Mary Magdalene Academy, and supported by City St George's, University of London, and Islington Council.

Gallery

An older woman lying on an outdoor orange couch smiling and wearing headphonesA vintage outdoor living roomTwo women sitting on an orange couch looking at a smartphoneAudience members sitting in an outdoor vintage living roomThree musicians playing in an outdoor living roomA smartphone, headphones and a postcard marked 'Letters from us' on an old coffee table