Our community

Listening to the community

Although by their nature BIDs are business led and business funded, many BIDs recognise the inherent value and importance of working closely with all parts of the local community. The Culture Mile area benefits from having a diverse mix of businesses and vibrant residential communities: the largest concentration in the whole of the Square Mile. Residents are important to us, and the Culture Mile BID is committed to working with residents, community groups and other local stakeholders, with a view to embracing the collective drive and ambition this sort of partnership working can deliver.

The legislation that governs BIDs does not give residents a formal vote in the ballot, nor do they pay into the BID, however this does not mean residents wonโ€™t have a voice or benefit from the existence of the BID โ€“ quite the opposite. The Culture Mile BID started the dialogue with residents, ward members and other community groups and we will continue to develop new ways of working, which will be implemented throughout the BIDs term.

๐Ÿ™‹โ€โ™‚๏ธ Volunteering Opportunities: Fill Surveys Below

๐Ÿ‘‹ Weโ€™re looking for both corporates and individuals to either offer volunteering opportunities or undertake volunteering in the Square Mile. Opportunities can range from gardening to hosting workshops on varying time scales.

๐Ÿ”— Please fill outย this surveyย if youโ€™re open to offering volunteering opportunities orย click hereย if you would like to volunteer yourself. The survey should take no longer than 2 minutes to complete.

 

Culture Mile Community Fund

Culture Mile Community Fund 2026 โ€“ 2027

๐Ÿค The Culture Mile Community Fund supports local organisations and community groups delivering projects that bring people together, improve wellbeing, increase access to culture and create positive change across the Culture Mile area.

๐Ÿ’› For 2026โ€“2027, we are delighted to support 20 projects that celebrate creativity, community, heritage, inclusion and connection. From music and storytelling to gardening, cycling, wellbeing and youth activities, these projects will provide meaningful opportunities for local communities to get involved.

๐ŸŽ‰ 2026 / 2027 Funded Projects:

๐Ÿ“™ Book Fair & Barbican Nights | St Gilesโ€™ Cripplegate

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USE-IT: The Urban Co-Lab | Mind the Map CIC

๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Echoes of the Jewish Square Mile | The Jewish Square Mile Foundation

๐ŸŽค Choral Singing in the City | City Chorus

๐ŸŽถ Free Access to Music in the City | The Solis Choir

๐Ÿฅ Drum Club 2026/27 and Celebration Event | Drum Works

๐ŸŽง City Kids Time Explorers | Inspiring Audio Ltd

๐Ÿ’ป Information Portal/Website Development | St Bartholomew Gatehouse Trust

๐Ÿ“ˆ VOCES8 Centre Community Improvement Plan | The VOCES8 Foundation

๐Ÿ™Œ Fortune Street Park Community Day | Friends of Fortune Street Park Group

๐ŸŒฑ Sewing Seeds | Sewing Seeds

๐Ÿ“š Barbican Library Craft and Conversation Community Outreach Project | Barbican Library Craft and Conversation Group

๐Ÿข Thomas More Community Development | Thomas More House Group

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Creative Health Map | Vital Arts Barts Health NHS Trust

๐Ÿ€ Girls Belong | Club Josepine โ€“ Rise Through Hoops

๐Ÿ“” Reclaiming Stories | We Restart

๐Ÿชด Broadening Barbican Community Engagement in Growing and Gardening | Barbican Horticultural Society

๐Ÿšดโ€โ™‚๏ธ Culture Mile Cycle Access | Bikeworks CIC

๐ŸŠโ€โ™‚๏ธ Get Golden Lane Swimming Again | WeSwim CIO

๐Ÿ“ฆ Wellbeing Boxes for Housebound City Residents | Forget Me Not Memory Cafรฉ

Latest Projects

๐Ÿ“š Book Fair & Barbican Nights | St Gilesโ€™ Cripplegate Church

The project supports the churchโ€™s ambition to remain a cultural hub that is open and welcoming to everyone.

Read more

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USE-IT: The Urban Co-Lab | The Mind Map (CIC)

Local participants will help develop new self-guided walking tours that highlight the hidden gems, cultural spaces and unique experiences.

Read more

๐ŸŽถ Echoes of the Jewish Square Mile | The Jewish Square Mile

The project will transform overlooked stories from the past into a digital legacy.

Read more