Introducing our inaugural Community Council

Our Community Council will work collaboratively with us, give us their thoughts and feedback, and help shape the future of our programme and activities.

Each member of the council has a strong connection to Deptford and Lewisham. They will be paid to attend six meetings throughout the year, where they will meet members of the Albany staff team, and provide their thoughts, opinions and ideas.

Introducing our new Community Council members:

Sheree Abraham

Sheree has lived in Sydenham for 29 years and as CEO/ Artistic Director of Sydenham Arts, she works in the heart of Sydenham on the High Street. Sheree is currently studying for a Masters degree in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths, University of London, and is a Trustee for Lewisham Education Arts Network, who are based at the Albany. She is also involved with Endurance Steel Orchestra and Heart of Steel, both of which rehearse in Deptford and New Cross.

Amy Adams

A volunteer at Meet Me… at the Albany, Amy is already very engaged with the Albany. She has been a Lewisham resident for 10 years and has volunteered in many local elderly services over the last 4 years, including the Ladywell Dementia Centre and Voluntary Services Lewisham (VSL). Amy’s perspective as an acquired brain injury survivor who has benefited from local services such as Lewisham Speech and Language Therapy, further underscores her commitment to creating inclusive and accessible opportunities for everyone in the community to experience. 

Amy said: "I’m looking forward to finding out what’s coming up at the Albany and being able to give my opinions and feedback. This is the first time I’ve had the chance for my own personal views to be heard in this way.” 

Rachel Allen

Rachel has lived in the borough of Lewisham their whole life, since the 80s. Embedded in the local community, Rachel currently works full-time for Abianda and has previously held voluntary or paid positions with 999 Club, the Albany, Lewisham Young Women's Resource Project and the Lewisham Refugee and Befriending Project run by the British Red Cross.

Amir Taimoor Khan

Amir lives and works locally, and brings a passion for rock music to the role. He is keen to develop his skills and contribute to the venue.

Alice Lemmard

Alice is a Creative Librarian who grew up in Deptford and lives in Lewisham. In her role, she has developed a strong connection with the Lewisham public, and has been a long-standing supporter of the Albany.

Selena Mitchell

Selena is a local parent, who regularly attends workshops and shows that take place at the Albany, with her family. Selena will be delivering craft workshops for two upcoming shows: The Rainbow Butterfly (Sunday 2 February 2025) and The Littlest Yak (Sunday 30 March 2025).

Selena said: “I really love the Albany – I'm a regular! I’m excited to be able to contribute my ideas and suggestions, and find out more about what goes on behind the scenes.”

Chery Nguyen

Born, raised and educated in Lewisham, Chery is a primary school teacher at a Lewisham borough school and has a strong background in set design, prop making and illustration. She hopes that these practical skills will enhance the creative and educational offerings at the Albany, whether through workshops, exhibitions, or community projects.

Quynh Nguyen

Quynh is the CEO and founder of Vietnamese Family Partnership, a local grassroots charity, which supports the Vietnamese community and promotes wider understanding of Vietnamese culture. The charity hosts annual cultural events twice a year at Deptford Lounge (managed by the Albany). These events draw thousands of local residents to experience Vietnamese food, music, and culture each year.

The Community Council is part of our new Creative Strategy, which places community even more at the heart of what we do, giving decision-making powers to local people.

Vicki Dela Amedume MBE, Creative Director at the Albany, said: “The Albany has a strong history of co-creating work with our local communities and I’m excited for this next step on our journey. It’s so important to us that our audiences, participants, neighbours and friends have a voice in our decision making, so we can continue to fulfil our purpose as an arts centre at the heart of our local community. It’s great to have such a wide range of expertise and local knowledge on the Community Council, and I’m looking forward to us working together, sharing ideas and learning from each other over the coming year.” 

This work has been made possible by a multi-year grant from Paul Hamlyn Foundation. 

Photos by Elena Ledgister.