It was founded by a group of women youth workers[2] in 1979 as Lambeth Girl's Project.[3] The women's project provided a space for various community groups to meet, as well as services for women including counselling, sexual-health advice, meditation, mentoring, crafts, yoga, art, and music. Over 150 women used the space each month.[4][5]
Some of the proceeds from Ladyfest London in 2002 were used to buy a drumkit for the space.[6] In 2007 Ladies Rock Camp, organised by Nazmia Jamal and Liz Riches, was held in the project's building. Post-punk band The Raincoats gave a talk and performed there on the opening night.[6][7]
It closed in 2012 after being evicted from their location by Stockwell Primary School and Children's Centre, who had been handed management of the building by Lambeth Council.[4][8][9] 12 volunteers, including mothers, staged a sit-in at the building to protest the eviction.[10] A pot banging protest was held during the occupation.[11]
The history of the organisation is preserved at Lambeth Archives, catalogued by archivist and youth worker Ego Ahaiwe Sowinski who had been a member of the project.[12] The LWP blog was also preserved as part of the UK Web Archive.[13]
Writing in 2024, Nydia A. Swaby identifies Lambeth Women's Project as "deeply inspired" by Amy Ashwood Garvey who opened the first Black women's centre in London in 1954.[5]
.jpg)
