Stephen Lawrence Centre opens in Deptford (From This Is Local London)

Stephen Lawrence Centre opens in Deptford

5:26pm Thursday 7th February 2008

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An education centre in memory of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence has been opened in Deptford.

The centre, at Brookmill Road, Deptford, was officially opened by the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and Stephen's mother Doreen Lawrence.

It aims to help young people aged 14 to 25 who may be living in poverty to pursue careers in architecture and urban design.

Stephen, who was murdered at an Eltham bus stop in 1993, had wanted to become an architect himself.

Ms Lawrence said: "It's a proud moment to invite people in to see the centre and look at what's happening here.

"When I see the work young people are doing I think it's quite amazing."

The centre runs outreach work and has a curriculum offering academic and vocational programmes.

It has run some programmes for the past year and has had around 2,500 students, some of whom showed opening day guests the work they had done so far.

Projects included preparations for a robotics competition in the US which will be entered by Year 10 students from Addey and Stanhope School, New Cross Road, and Catford High School, Bellingham Road, Catford.

Mr Livingstone said: "It's incredible because the murder of Stephen Lawrence was just about the all time low point for crime and policing in London.

"Thankfully the police learnt all the right lessons out of that.

"What this does is give a chance for all those kids who want to be great architects to go on and do what Stephen couldn't."

Stephen Lawrence Trust chief executive Karin Woodley said: "It feels fantastic to have it open though it's been very hard for a lot of us not to burst into tears today.

"But it's also a moment of great hope and excitement for the future."

The centre was designed by award-winning architect David Adjaye and has a two-storey glass facade designed by 1998 Turner Prize winner Chris Ofili.

It was funded by the Stephen Lawrence Trust, public and private sector organisations.

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