Diary Study

October 2025 update - Report

From noticing to imagining: seeing Walworth through young people’s eyes

In spring 2025, six teenagers aged 14-15 spent three days noticing, documenting, and reflecting on their local streets. Armed with disposable cameras, sketchbooks, and their phones , they revealed something profound: public spaces aren't just about getting from A to B. They shape how young people feel, belong, and see their place in the world.

What they showed us

Their insights trace a powerful journey, from simply noticing their surroundings to questioning who gets a say in shaping them:

1. The evocative act of noticing. When asked to really look at their neighbourhood, participants saw Walworth completely differently. They discovered hidden beauty and overlooked problems they'd never noticed before.
2. The hidden emotional landscape of public space. Young people's moods shifted dramatically depending on where they were. Greenery brought calm. Clutter caused stress. Design directly affects how they feel.
3. Living in contrast and contradiction. The same street can feel safe by day and threatening at night. Walworth is full of contrasts, and young people constantly adapt as conditions shift around them.
4. Permission to be. Teenagers don't always need somewhere to go. Sometimes they just need somewhere to be. A bench. Some shade. Space to sit without feeling in the way.
5. Can I be one of those voices? Once they started noticing, they started questioning: Who decides how our streets look? How are these choices made? And could we have a say?

What happens next

These young voices are already shaping real change:

• Improving how we listen – Helping Southwark design better ways to involve young people in local decisions
• Influencing street projects – Making sure future transport and public space plans reflect what matters to teenagers
• Informing School Streets – Supporting our work to make areas around schools safer and more welcoming
• Sharing across teams – Connecting insights with other council services working with young people
• Contributing to JUST Streets – Feeding into a Europe-wide project to create fairer, more inclusive public spaces

Read the full report in the attachment below. 

Updated version (28 Nov 2025): corrections made to participant pronouns. See note inside report.

Diary Study - Open Call

📢 Are you 13–18 and live in Walworth?

We’re inviting you to take part in a creative diary study to share your experiences of public spaces and streets in Walworth. We are looking for 10 people aged 13–18, who live in Walworth. You’ll receive a Love 2 Shop £20 voucher as a thank-you.

👉Want to take part? Fill out the Expression of Interest survey.

📆 The open call will close Sunday 11 May 2025.

📆 The study will take part end of May/beginning of June. Exact dates will be agreed with participants.

Study area

Important to note

⚠️ If you are under 16, we’ll need your parent or guardian to fill in a consent form before you take part. We’ll help with that once you’ve signed up and have been selected for the study.

⚠️ We’re only selecting 10 participants for this round. If more people sign up, we’ll prioritise a diverse group of voices and perspectives. If you’re not selected this time, there will be more opportunities to get involved as the project continues.