Rachel O'Donohoe

Rachel works in the Culture team at Haringey Council as Creative Events & Engagement Officer, and at Haringey Culture Collective as Children and Young People Producer. She also makes sound art and prints inspired by the natural world and urban environments.

I’ve worked in the culture team in Haringey council for 3 and a half years now, before that I worked in a primary school just off Green Lanes with a charity called Reach Out UK. I’ve lived in the borough for 6/7 years – I’m currently in South Tottenham and before that I was in the Warehouse District.

I moved to the Harringay Warehouse District in 2020 and lived there for 3 years. I was sharing a space with 20 people of all ages, doing very different things – social workers, archivists, designers, chefs, DJs etc. etc. This was the first time I had a dedicated studio space to explore and develop my creative practise – I could be messy and experiment, and I was surrounded by creative people who could see into my studio and were interested in what I was doing. This environment helped me to be confident in my practise and share it with others. I learnt a lot from the people I lived with in the warehouses and that structure of communal creative living.

I’m also influenced by Haringey’s nature spaces – in particular the bits of the River Lea that run through Tottenham. I make soundscapes using field recordings from nature – I like recording here because it has a calmness and wildness, not often found in London, but I also like how the river intersects with the urban environment – Markfield Park, the skatepark, and the bustle of everyday life.  

A rebel for me is a visionary – someone who can imagine a better future and acts in a way to support its realisation. Their courage to stand strong in their convictions is what drives change.

I was given the advice recently to find or create a peer network – build a group of people who work in the same industry as you and are at a similar stage in their careers. Meet a few times a year to bounce ideas off, share worries with and build contacts and friends. I’m still building this – so reach out if you’re interested!

On the football pitch! I started playing football 3 years ago and discovered the grass roots women’s/ non-binary football scene in London is huge! I play every Sunday in a League with 15 other grassroots teams. It’s a strong community vibe; a big mix of ages and abilities – it’s not just about winning but the ethos is of improvement, growth, friendship. It’s a really creative and dynamic space to be a part of – on and off the pitch.

I would love to see more cultural spaces open-up in Haringey – more small DIY multi-disciplinary art spaces. That would be an amazing legacy of the borough of culture year and I hope to contribute to making it happen!

It would have to be Os Omigos on West Green Road. It feels like stepping into Portugal, it’s always busy with local people relaxing and enjoying the company of friends in the evening. They serve delicious Portuguese pastries and other food. It’s great for an easy hang with local friends. I feel lucky that I can walk down the road from where I live and experience different languages, cultures and food. A Haringey gem for sure.

I’d like to spotlight Junodef, a Swedish band who make ‘dark dreamscapes and haunting harmonies’. They live in Haringey and also have a studio where they make their music here. I love their music – the last time I saw them live was for a friend’s birthday and we were all stood in the front row jumping around, pure joy. Check them out!