Social Streets is launching a pilot of Social Scheme for High Streets for Tower Hamlets to provide digital presence, promotion and mentoring to local businesses. The pilot project will start with Roman Road with the aim of rolling out to other high streets.
The Social Scheme for High Streets is designed for high streets and town centres in disadvantaged areas that do not have funding available to commission a digital high street scheme themselves. Typically, this is often a high street that lacks the community capacity or economic wealth to be able to organise and fund a Business Improvement District (BID).
The Scheme raises funding and resources on behalf of these high streets, allowing Social Streets to deliver the benefits of a digital high street programme to the high streets that most need support.
The Scheme will design high street brands, generate high-quality content and grow online audiences to help promote the high street and improve the image of the neighbourhood. It will also provide a programme of digital mentoring for local businesses to enable them to take advantage of the new digital platforms.
The Scheme will produce affordable, high-quality content and mentoring by collaborating with local students, graduates and professionals at the Social Streets Studio in Bow.
Social Streets Studio puts community service at the heart of education and primary employment. The Studio is a collective of digital and creative academics and experts that collaborates on Social Streets projects in exchange for training and desk space. The Studio’s #OneDay community work provides local professionals a desk space at no cost in exchange for their expertise one day per week. Students from Mulberry UTC as well as graduates and researchers from QMUL will also collaborate on projects for the Scheme.
The Scheme draws on local talent to help generate affordable content and to increase a sense of local ownership, ensuring the Scheme is sustainable in the long-term. Academic partnerships have been colleges and universities local to Tower Hamlets. #OneDay team members must live within 30 minutes walk from the Studio.
Social Scheme for High Streets Tower Hamlets is funded by London Borough of Tower Hamlets as part of the Thriving High Streets programme.
About Social Streets
Social Streets is a digital media company with a social mission. We use technology and hyperlocal journalism to help increase participation in high streets and local communities, particularly those in disadvantaged or marginalised areas. Our Social Scheme for High Streets provides free online promotion and digital training to local high streets and their businesses, delivering positive socio-economic impact to poor communities.