London’s war against poverty: the Dispossessed campaign at the Museum of London
Dispossessed runs from 23 August until 20 November 2011
The Museum of London and Evening Standard have launched a new exhibition highlighting poverty in London. Running as part of the paper’s Dispossessed campaign, the display will feature photos and tell the extraordinary stories of ordinary Londoners becoming free from the bonds of poverty.
In 1995 the London Evening Standard (external page) ran a special report highlighting poverty in the capital. It took an in-depth look at the toll it took on thousands of ordinary Londoners. These were the people left behind in an economic boom in what, for many others, had been a time of plenty.
The true face of modern poverty in the capital reveals itself not in statistics, but in the moving stories of ordinary Londoners. Stories such as Vincent Maduabueke, an 18 year-old student sharing an Islington home with his unemployed mother and sister. Vincent wants to get on but it will be a struggle for him to afford to study at his local college. The Maduabueke’s live cheek-by-jowl with some of the cities wealthiest residents.
David Cohen, Senior features writer at the Evening Standard, said: “We need a vigorous debate and a new vision. In a vibrant multi-cultural city such as ours, where we pride ourselves on our inclusiveness, the ultimate goal must be ‘One London.’ ...The Dispossessed Fund has been set up to fight poverty - and we want ordinary Londoners to help fight the causes behind it.”
Professor Jack Lohman, Director of the Museum of London, said: “The Museum of London has always told the stories of Londoners and their life experiences – we’ve never been afraid to tackle the gritty issues affecting the capital.”
The Evening Standard decided to set up a fund with the help of the Community Foundation Network. The generosity of Londoners was overwhelming. In just three weeks Evening Standard readers raised £1 million. Today the fund stands at £7.2 million. It has attracted the support of the government – which has matched the funds raised by readers. It has also enjoyed the support of leading London figures, like Sir Michael Caine, who last year opened the Museum of London’s Galleries of Modern London.
Dispossessed runs from 23 August until 20 November 2011
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Notes to Editors:
1. For more information or images, please contact the Press Office on press@museumoflondon.org.uk / 020 7814 5502.
2. Museum of London, Museum of London Docklands and Museum of London Archaeology seek to inspire a passion for London. The Museums are open daily 10am – 6pm and are FREE to all.
3. Find out more about the4 Dispossessed Fund here: www.dispossessedfund.communityfoundations.org.uk.
