Celebrating 140 Years of Toynbee Hall: a legacy of Empowerment and Community
Toynbee Hall recently marked a momentous milestone, its 140th anniversary.
Funders, partners, beneficiaries and local friends gathered to celebrate this incredible journey, reflecting on its enduring mission to break down barriers and empower communities. The evening was not just a celebration of history but a testament to the shared achievements and the vital work that lies ahead.
Toynbee Hall’s story began in 1884 with the visionary leadership of Samuel and Henrietta Barnett. They established a bold ethos: working alongside communities to drive meaningful change.
Over the decades, Toynbee Hall has adapted to meet the evolving needs of society, transitioning from Victorian-era social reform to pioneering modern innovations. Through it all, the organisation has remained steadfast in its commitment to fostering equity and opportunity.
The evening’s highlights included heartfelt remarks from Stephen Burns, Toynbee Hall Chair of Trustees, Rebecca Sycamore, Chief Executive at Toynbee Hall, and Matt Dronfield, Director of Advice Services, at Toynbee Hall, who all emphasised the critical importance of Toynbee Hall’s mission in today’s challenging landscape. Their words highlighted the organisation’s dedication to creating lasting, positive change.
Rebecca Sycamore, Chief Executive at Toynbee Hall, said “There are so many people facing day to day challenges and our staff and volunteers do an amazing job providing support and solutions. But we know that involving people with lived experience in the process of designing better policy and systems is where systemic change will come from. As we celebrate our 140th anniversary, our sense of hope comes from the work of our services and the insight and ideas of our participant researchers.”
Matt Dronfield, Director of Advice Services, at Toynbee Hall, also shared his excitement for the future, noting: “Toynbee Hall has always been at the forefront of driving change and I’m confident that our next chapter will continue to empower communities and inspire new approaches to tackling inequality.”
What resonated most were the stories shared during the event. An NHS colleague recounted how a partnership between Toynbee Hall and Guy’s & St Thomas’ Foundation provided her with the financial inclusion support she needed to overcome personal challenges. A young peer researcher spoke of the power of co-designing solutions with youth to address contemporary issues. These moving testimonies encapsulate the profound impact of Toynbee Hall’s collaborative approach.
Toynbee Hall’s journey is far from over. As it celebrates 140 years of impact, innovation, and collaboration, the organisation remains committed to building a fairer society.
To mark this milestone, Toynbee Hall has created an anniversary video for Christmas Eve, its official birthday. The video reflects on 140 years of achievements and offer a glimpse into the future.
Toynbee Hall’s story is enriched by the countless individuals who have been part of its journey. Whether you’ve worked with the organisation, volunteered or benefited from its services, your connection is part of this legacy. Share your story and join the conversation as Toynbee Hall continues to inspire and empower.
Here’s to the next 140 years of creating meaningful change, together.
