Weaving London's Cultural Tapestry: Robin Armistead's 15-Year LMLIP Legacy

Culture Services Manager Champions Diversity and Inclusion in London

For Robin Armistead, Manager of Culture Services for the City of London, the past 15 years have been a journey of building bridges and fostering connections. As one of the earliest volunteers and supporters of the London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership (LMLIP), Robin has been instrumental in shaping London into a more welcoming community for newcomers.

"The LMLIP is all about developing a more welcoming community to newcomers to London and assisting them to access the services and supports they need and to feel connected," Robin explains as she reflects on her years of involvement.

Robin's story with LMLIP began in 2009 when the partnership was established. As the Manager of Culture Services, she saw a natural alignment between her work and LMLIP's mission. "Our culture is an expression of our identity, our shared histories, values, beliefs, and traditions - and is enriched by the diversity of our city," she says, quoting London's Cultural Prosperity Plan.

Over the years, Robin has worn many hats within LMLIP, but her work with the Inclusion and Civic Engagement (ICE) Sub-Council holds a special place in her heart. "Working with the staff and individual members of LMLIP through many years has been amazing!" she enthuses.

One of the initiatives Robin is particularly proud of is the "I am London" social media campaign. "The achievement of the success that the LMLIP 'I am London' social media campaign has had has been a particularly initiative for London that I would like to see continued, shared and built upon," she notes.

As LMLIP celebrates its 15th anniversary, Robin's vision for its future remains strong and clear. "My hopes for the future of LMLIP is that it will continue to be a leader in welcoming newcomers to our community, fighting racism and anti-oppression, being involved with research about immigration to London and providing opportunities for residents of London to get to know, support and care for each other."

Robin's dedication to LMLIP stems from her belief in the power of cultural diversity to enrich a community. Her role at the City of London allows her to bridge the gap between municipal initiatives and LMLIP's grassroots efforts, creating a synergy that has benefited countless newcomers over the past 15 years.

As LMLIP looks to the future, Robin Armistead's unwavering commitment serves as a testament to the impact that dedicated individuals can have in creating a more inclusive and welcoming community.