A new campaign aimed at reminding Londoners they are “loved and wanted” was launched on Valentine’s Day by Sir Sadiq Khan.
By Noah Vickers, Local Democracy Reporter
A new campaign aimed at reminding Londoners they are “loved and wanted” was launched on Valentine’s Day by Sir Sadiq Khan.
Unveiled at Outernet London in Tottenham Court Road, the campaign seeks “to show the world that diversity is London’s greatest strength and that people from all backgrounds are celebrated and welcomed”.
It comes six months after the far-right riots and disorder which spread across the UK last summer, following the murder of three young girls in Southport.
The mayor said “many Londoners felt really scared” during that period, and suggested that the campaign was partly designed to assuage lingering fears in the capital.
The campaign is accompanied by a package of almost £1m of funding to “bring communities together” by putting on local events and initiatives.
The package comprises £600,000 from the Government’s Community Recovery Fund – made available following the disorder last summer – along with £385,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund to pay for the mayor’s Community Weekend in September, which will include events like barbecues and picnics, arts and cultural events and creative workshops.
Sir Sadiq told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Particularly in these uncertain and unsettled times we live in, we’ve seen since October 2023 a massive increase in anti-Semitism, in anti-Muslim hatred.
“We saw, six months ago, riots taking place across the country in towns and cities. Even though – thankfully – we were spared those, many Londoners felt really scared.
“What this campaign is about is improving the sense of unity in our great city, making sure everyone, no matter what your background, feels this is a city where you’re loved and wanted.
“But also [it’s about] reminding ourselves we can’t be complacent about these sorts of issues. So in addition to this great campaign, we’re also working with the National Lottery and the Government, [who are] going to be funding a number of initiatives across our city to bring communities together – to fund local projects, to fund education initiatives.
“Because we want to make sure, here in this great city, you aren’t simply tolerated if you’re different, you’re respected, celebrated and embraced.”
The ‘Loved and Wanted’ campaign will include a series of adverts across the capital, in community centres, cultural organisations, libraries, faith buildings, volunteering centres and online over the coming months.
More than 130 organisations have signed up to share post cards and window stickers, including The Felix Project, Royal Academy of Arts, Black Cultural Centre, English National Ballet, London Museum, Bernie Grant Centre, Southbank Centre, churches, mosques and synagogues.
