Photo by workshop participant at Beckton Globe Youth Zone

'Sound Waves: Seen & Heard' is a youth-led photography and zine-making project developed by Rendezvous Projects in partnership with Beckton Globe Youth Zone and supported by Culture Within Newham as a Micro-Commission.

The project forms part of the wider 'Sound Waves: Music in Newham' programme, which explores 60 years of music history in the borough — from youth clubs, community centres and sound systems to pirate radio and DIY music culture. Through research, oral history, school workshops and exhibitions, 'Sound Waves' highlights the stories, spaces and scenes that have shaped Newham’s diverse musical legacy.

About the Sound Waves programme

Sound Waves: Music in Newham is an initiative to celebrate and preserve the rich musical heritage of the London Borough of Newham. This project is documenting Newham’s diverse music history, focusing on venues and underrepresented communities over the past 60 years.

The aims of the project include:

Celebrate Newham's Musical Heritage: Highlight the borough's diverse musical cultures and their impact on local communities.
Engage Young People and Diverse Communities: Involve young people and diverse community groups in exploring and sharing their musical heritage.
Create Lasting Legacies: Produce a comprehensive archive and various creative outputs to ensure the preservation and accessibility of Newham's musical history.

Sound Waves: Music in Newham is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

About the project partners

Rendezvous Projects CIC

Rendezvous Projects is a Community Interest Company based in East London. We run creative, community-led heritage projects that explore untold histories through photography, design, oral history and public engagement. Past projects include Crate Digging, which looked at the legacy of De Underground Records in Forest Gate, and Sweet Harmony, an exploration of radio and rave culture in Waltham Forest. Our work combines visual storytelling with deep local research to celebrate communities and amplify underrepresented voices.

Learn more on the Rendezvous Projects website.

Beckton Globe Youth Zone

Beckton Globe Youth Zone is a dynamic youth space based within Beckton Globe Library, offering a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for young people in Newham. With a strong focus on creativity, wellbeing and community, the Youth Zone provides regular drop-ins and specialist workshops to support young people’s development, expression and access to new opportunities.

What are Micro-Commissions for Newham?

In December 2024 Culture Within Newham launched a new micro-commissioning scheme for grants of up to £1,000. The first round offered commissions to artists and organisations in the Green Street, East Ham, Manor Park, and Little Ilford areas. The second round of commissions was for Custom House, Beckton, and Royal Albert/North Woolwich.

The micro-commissions aim to support new ideas, providing an opportunity to build experience in delivering artistic or creative projects. Meet the rest of the Micro-Commissions on their dedicated project page.