Delivered by St Columba
In 2022, the Foundation for Future London has awarded a grant to St Columba for its project “Hackney Wick Town Hall Development Project” for people in Tower Hamlets through our Small Grant Scheme.
Hackney Wick Town Hall, an inclusive community forum in Hackney Wick, will provide an opportunity for local people to connect and a platform for community action.
The project meets three of our scheme’s key themes, Young People, Employment Opportunities and Learning Opportunities.
The Small Grant Scheme is part of our new Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund, funded by Westfield Stratford City.
A Town Hall is a unique kind of meeting: everyone is welcome, everyone sets the agenda, and everyone speaks. Currently chaired by David Adesanya and Kaitlene Koranteng, the Hackney Wick Town Hall events do not fulfil the agenda of any party, business or organisation – they’re curated and facilitated by local people, and the topics for the discussion is decided on the day by the people who come.
This might sound like chaos, but there’s a carefully designed process which guides everyone gently through the meeting, ensuring that everyone has the chance to raise an issue for discussion, everyone can take part in as many or as few discussions as they want, and everyone agrees clear outcomes, actions and next steps.With our communities love of the low barrier of entry and non – hierarchical system run there has been ample amount of time, freedom and group interaction to discuss shared concerns. Leading us to continue in our growing community.
Previous Town Hall meetings in Hackney Wick have led to road closure projects, local councilors taking action on pollution, new business connections and collaborations, and lots of new friendships. Reinforcing our intension to not only discuss but, also measure our actions and impact.
The administration of the Hackney Wick Town Hall is currently delivered by a small partnership of local residents (including David Adesanya and Kaitlene Koranteng) and The Wick Award, Hackney Quest, Hackney Wick and Fish Island Creative Enterprise Zone, St Colomba and The Yard Theatre.
To take part, please contact d.adesanya@hotmail.co.uk.
For more information, see theyardtheatre.co.uk/events/hackney-wick-town-hall.
Transforming lives and careers of people in East London
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