Treasures of the Tide brings Ilford to life

On Saturday 12 September, the streets of Ilford came alive with colour, music and creativity as hundreds of local residents, young people and community members took part in Treasures of the Tide, the annual Colours of Redbridge street parade.

Supported through Westfield Better Futures, powered by Westfield Stratford City and delivered with Foundation for Future London, the parade transformed the streets into an underwater world, with a giant sea turtle, shimmering schools of fish, giant shells, towering waves and live samba drumming.

But the spectacle was about more than what audiences saw on the day. Treasures of the Tide was created with and by the local community, with residents, school students and community groups working alongside artists from Kinetika, Emergency Exit Arts and Drum Works.

Local schools helped create artworks for the parade, while young people took part in drumming workshops, developing new skills before performing alongside the procession.

The parade also celebrated the many journeys, stories and experiences that have helped shape Redbridge. Audiences were invited to add their own “message in a bottle” — a dream, memory, wish or hope for the future — creating a collective artwork made up of community voices.

Community-led creativity in action

Westfield Better Futures is a one-year creative, skills and community impact programme powered by Westfield Stratford City and delivered with Foundation for Future London.

Through investment in creative, digital and environmentally focused opportunities, the programme supports local people to build skills, connect with others and explore routes into future-facing industries.

Treasures of the Tide is a brilliant example of this in action: bringing together schools, community groups, artists and residents to create something that celebrates local creativity and brings people together.

For Foundation for Future London, supporting projects like this is part of our commitment to shaping fairer futures through community-led change — connecting communities, partners and investment to create meaningful opportunities and lasting local benefit.

Thank you to Colours of Redbridge, the artists, schools, community groups and everyone who helped bring Treasures of the Tide to life.