Camden Unlocked is an eight-part series hosted by Rabbi Shlomo Levin MBE that explores the power of community and the individuals who help shape life in the borough.
Mr Levin said: “A community thrives because of meaningful connections between people who are joined together by a common purpose.
“Everything is down to people.
“But place is also vitally important and I wanted to discover more about what makes Camden so special and how it has helped foster its communities over centuries.”
Listeners can tune in on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to hear stories from people who have dedicated their lives to building connections, offering support, and creating a sense of belonging across Camden.
Mr Levin draws on his experience as the former Rabbi of South Hampstead Synagogue, where he spent years building a “cherished community”.
In the opening episode, Mr Levin speaks with Tina Ramdeen, associate director of young people at The Roundhouse, about the role of music and youth programmes in supporting and empowering young people.
Other guests include Robin Klein, co-founder and general partner at flexible workspace Phoenix Court, Stuart Woods of children and young people’s charity Coram’s Fields, literary agent Neil Blair, and Jane Myat, a former GP at Caversham Practice.
The series also features Manny Hothi of Trust for London, Benaifer Bhandari of Hopscotch UK, a charity that helps ethnic minority women overcome challenges, and Pastor Karsten Hansen of St Katharine’s Danish Church.
Mr Levin said the conversations reinforced his belief that Camden offers a model for community cohesion.
He said: “In this podcast series, through the experience of the guests I interviewed, it became clear to me that Camden has something very special that enables its people to find a sense of belonging and cohesion that is an unexpected joy in the midst of a global city.
“I believe what I found is a hopeful model for Britain today as a cohesive society – tackling loneliness and social isolation that exists at every level of society with the presence of a supportive community that gives us a shared sense of belonging.
“I would like to thank all my wonderful guests for shedding a light on how their work impacts thousands and thousands of people each year, and to Phoenix Court for their generous support of the project.”
