MAPPING BELONGING: INTRODUCING THE SHARED GROUND PROJECT
"I have lived in Camden for several years, and it has become much more than just a place where I live; it feels like a community that I am proud to be part of."
- Participant
What makes an urban space feel like home? How do personal stories reshape the busy streets of Camden we walk every day?
Shared Ground is a collaborative project produced by ODAC in partnership with Camden Council and with funding from the Council of Europe. The initiative brings together six participants with lived experience of migration alongside two professional artists, Alisa Oleva and Tara Fatehi. Together, they are sharing powerful stories of identity, connection, and the unique personal meanings rooted in the borough of Camden.
The Heart of the Project
ODAC is proud to support multiple groups and organisations working with migrants, refugees, and people seeking sanctuary through our Camden Collabs network. Shared Ground directly connects to this and to the diverse community based at ODAC. We’re delighted that our final group includes six individuals originally from Iran, Kosovo, Botswana, Eritrea, Ukraine, and China – each bringing their unique global perspectives to our local neighbourhood.
“I understand how important it is to have spaces where migrants and refugees living here can share their experiences, be heard, and feel part of the local community.” - Participant
Meet the Artists
We are excited to be working with artists Alisa Oleva and Tara Fatehi who are guiding participants on a creative journey to map the places that hold meaning and memories.
Alisa Oleva: A London-based walking artist who explores the politics of public space, urban choreography, and the hidden traces within a city.
Tara Fatehi: An artist, writer, and performer whose work lives at the intersection of the sociopolitical and the poetic, focusing on memories, words, and physical sites.
Mapping Meaning & Memory: Inside the Workshops - Producer Sarah Nicholl reflects…
The project is now in full swing, and this moving, poignant, and life-affirming experience has allowed us to hear about the spaces across Camden that hold special significance for our group.
Through a series of five creative workshops, participants are turning their emotional and physical geographies of Camden into a collaborative, handmade map and zine, with the project culminating in an accessible participant and artist-led public walking tour. The initiative highlights the specific places where community, growth, and solace intersect. For our participants, these spaces span the entire borough, transforming everyday locations into deeply meaningful landmarks.
Artists Alisa and Tara have invited the group to take part in a wide variety of creative experiences. These include mapping personal journeys through Camden, taking pencil impressions to record specific details, sharing moving personal reflections, engaging in collaborative group activities, and, of course, walking!
A recent highlight was a walk through King's Cross and along the Regent's Canal towards Camden. Together, the group took in the unique sights and sounds along the way - a special bench by the London Bookbarge to sit and imagine, the riotous graffiti, people-watching, and sunset at Camden Lock.
From Personal Memories to Personal Landmarks
By mapping these personal histories, everyday locations across Camden are transformed into meaningful touchstones - from University College London Hospital, where one participant’s family welcomed their newborn son, to quiet spots along the Regent's Canal.
Our participants shared what these local spaces mean to them:
"Swiss Cottage Library and Abbey Community Centre are spaces that have provided me with growth and a sense of belonging - whether attending my classes or giving back to the community as a volunteer."
"I love the incredible variety of food from all over the world, the vibrant atmosphere and the welcoming energy that can be felt throughout the area. Camden Town Market perfectly represents the diversity, creativity and spirit of the borough."
“Camden has become an important part of my life. It is the place where I have learned new skills, met kind people, received support for my family and found opportunities to grow.”
Join Us: The Public Walking Tour!
The stories, maps, and memories discovered in our workshops are moving out into the streets of Camden. We invite you to walk these streets with us, experience the stories and locations, and celebrate the diverse layers of lived experience across Camden.
Date: Saturday, 17 October, 2026
Meeting Point: Old Diorama Arts Centre, 201 Drummond Street, London, NW1 3FE.
Time: 11am – 12.30pm
(Follow our social media for updates, or be in touch with collabs@olddiorama.com for more information.)
All photographs taken during Shared Ground Workshops
This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the Council of Europe. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the Council of Europe.
