Deborah talks to the BBC about placemaking and consultation
Deborah Efemini is a hugely valued member of our team. She is a woman of many talents, involving herself in a host of creative initiatives from consultation and placemaking through Filigree, supporting a London arts charity to a board-level role at Hoxton Street Monster Supplies, purveyor of supplies for the living, dead and undead.
At Filigree, she brings placemaking expertise to many of our projects including Poets Corner, Rotherham and the multi-award winning Team Catford.
Recently, she was approached for an interview on the popular BBC Radio London show with Jumoké Fashola, who was intrigued to learn more about her online business offering spirits inspired by local neighbourhoods such as Catford Rum, blended with Guyanese molasses. We were excited to hear her share stories across the airwaves, not only of these successful brands, but of the community-focused projects where she’s worked alongside the Filigree team.
BBC London Radio - Jumoké Fashola
With two decades of experience in community development, town centre management and placemaking, she has a deep understanding of what it takes to transform a space into something that people feel proud of.
Creative placemaking for Catford
Our award-winning community consultation and placemaking for Team Catford, resulted in a shared vision for the regeneration of the town centre, the Catford Framework Plan. As part of our campaign, Deborah devised events and activities to encourage participation including the Catford Food Market, pop-up family events and outdoor cinema screenings. Making good use of vacant retail space, she opened a dedicated engagement space and designed merchandise to celebrate pride in the town selling hoodies, t-shirts as well as spin-off brands such as Catford Gin, with an Old Tom gin infused with scotch bonnet chilli as a nod to the local Carribean communities.
Listening to the community
When we caught up with her just after the interview, Deborah emphasised that the most important part of placemaking is listening, truly hearing what a community needs rather than making assumptions. She recalled our work on the community engagement for Poets Corner, in Harrow where a woman became so emotional and grateful for being heard that she asked to give Deborah a hug. This moment, like many others, reinforced Deborah’s belief that people simply want to be acknowledged and valued, "Seek to understand rather than to be understood," is a mantra she brings to many of the conversations across our team.
We’re hugely proud to have such an inspirational woman within our team.