North Kensington Social Justice Archive project
North Kensington has led many campaigns for social justice and equality for over 150 years.
In summer 2022, community members proposed creating a social justice archive to preserve and share these stories.
In spring 2023, the council committed to supporting the archive in the North Kensington area.
Community research and discovery phase
The project began with a 6 month discovery phase.
This phase gathered independent input from the North Kensington communities. It also gave us a better understanding of what the community wanted from the Archive.
UCL Consultants led the engagement work. Their respot sets out findings and recommendations.
- the report is 109 pages long
- pages 4 to 16 provide an executive summary
- the summary gives an overview of the project and its recommendations
Access physical copies of the discovery phase report
You an find physical copies of the report at:
Design development and current plans
In October 2025, we held consultation sessions to develop a design brief for the archive to be based in North Kensington Library.
Following a tender process, Jan Kattein Architects (JKA) were appointed as the architect for the project.
We are now gathering feedback on their emerging designs for the space.
View the proposed designs
You can
- view the consultation boards online
- view the consultation boards in person at North Kensington Library
- send your feedback by email
Council response
Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Employment, Culture and Economy, said:
“North Kensington is a special part of London that has been the backdrop to countless historic moments, campaigns and fights for social justice. We support the creation of a North Kensington Social Justice Archive to make a centralised home to commemorate and reflect on the important contributions from local people and groups. My thanks to UCLC for their work on the discovery phase report, and also to the community in North Kensington for their ongoing contribution, support and patience as we work to create a Social Justice Archive we can all be proud of.
“In February, the Council will share our proposed response to the Discovery Phase report for further consideration by our Select Committee, which will scrutinise how we will co-design the Community Steering Board, and our action plan which maps out the archive’s development, incorporating the accepted recommendations including the natural home for the archive being in North Kensington Library. I have heard loud and clear that the community want to see this important project delivered, and that is what I am committed to doing.”
Dr Pablo Sendra, Associate Professor of Planning & Urban Design at UCL, and author of the report, said:
“This has been a fascinating project. During the discovery phase of the North Kensington Social Justice Archive, we engaged with community archives, residents interested in local history, young people, and various groups and individuals that have contributed to social justice and supported communities in North Kensington. Local people are eager to see a Social Justice Archive where they can celebrate, share, and learn about the history of the area. As many residents put it, a place to learn about the past and inspire a more socially just future.”
A full response from the council and timeline for how the Archives and Local Studies team, in collaboration with the community, planned to progress after the discovery phase was presented alongside the report to the Family Services Select Committee for further consideration and scrutiny on Tuesday 4 February 2025.
Further reading
- Committee paper: Family Services Select Committee Paper 4 February 2025.pdf
The approach was agreed via a Key Decision which was approved in A Key Decision in May 2025.
- Key Decision: Key Decision Social Justice Archive May 2025.pdf
Get involved in the project
Work on the archive continues. You can take part in several ways:
- apply to join the North Kensington Social Justice Archive Steering Collective - applications are now closed
- share your stories, collections and documents
- receive project updates
- attend our quarterly North Kensington Community Forum at North Kensington Library for project updates. Anyone is welcome to attend, and meeting dates are advertised in the library in advance
If you're interested in getting involved or want more information email our team.
Contact us
Email: [email protected]