Free activities and workshops: Community Day 2024

Learn about the free activities and workshops that are happening at Community Day on Sunday 15 September 2024

Join us in Fellowship Square for a celebration of community in Waltham Forest. We’ll have a host of free and fun activities on the square, as well as live performances, all of which are delivered by our incredible Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). 

The VCS groups in Waltham Forest work tirelessly to provide services to our residents in need, advocating for social change and addressing a wide range of social issues, such as social injustice and poverty. 

They also work to help strengthen the trust between the Council and communities in the borough, working towards community togetherness. Without them, there would be a greater strain on council services. 

The workshops or performances are: 

Ageing Well with Age UK Waltham Forest  

• Enjoy a chair massage and chair yoga. 
• Demonstrations of online activities, and participants will be able to. 
• Learn more about Age UK’s range of free older people's services. 

Albanian Culture with the Albanian Community Forum  

• Sharing the rich culture and heritage of their community. 
• Dancing, singing and catwalk. 
• Traditional arts and crafts. 

Artillery 

• Participate in life drawing of Capoeira, a dancelike Afro-Brazilian martial art.  
• Dancers from Olorum Capoeira School will demonstrate the fluidity, balance, and strength of Capoeira. 
• Drawing tutor, Jason Hawkridge, will support participants in observing and recording the movement of the human form. 

CREST WF - Make a message Art Workshops 

• Make a message is an art activity including painting, printing, and assembling personalised messages on cards, pebbles, or paper lampshades.  
• Encouraging creative self-expression, this workshop aims to reduce stigma around mental health by creating an inclusive artistic space.  

 Dao Lu CIC  

• Tai Chi, a Qi Gong demonstration and taster session; a martial art that originates in ancient China and is an excellent and holistic system of training for health and general wellbeing 
• Participate in a fan-making session which is often used in demonstrations. 

Geek Cafe  

• Participants will be guided by staff members to make art pieces with recycled computer parts.  

 Haiku Poem and Simple Sumi-e Art Workshop with Sono Scott  

• Create a Haiku poem in any language of your choice, learning about the Japanese traditional poetic format of Haiku. 
• Create a Japanese ink drawing to complement your poem. 

Hong Kong Culture Exchange by Waltham Forest Hong Kong Community  

• Learn about Hong Kong culture including the mid-autumn festival and how it is celebrated 
• Take part in a calligraphy workshop. 
• Sample snacks from Hong Kong. 

 Jankonu Carnival Arts Workshop  

• Use recycled materials to create masks, costumes, drums, and percussion instruments with carnival artists. 

• Learn about a significant part of African-Caribbean culture and traditions. 

  Kidwise Group CIC 

• A virtual reality experience showcasing cultural landmarks through virtual reality – a fun and innovative way to learn about different cultures. 

We Are Leaders Community with Leaders Community 

• Street dance performances by local children and young people. 
• Activity asking what residents would do if they we’re leaders within the local community. 

Local Nature inspired Creativity for all with Sandie M Sutton  

• Take part in wildlife inspired artwork using a variety of reclaimed and natural materials, including seed balls to help boost local wildlife in the future.  

 Mbilla Arts 

• Explore African artefacts, including traditional instruments, costumes, drums, jewellery. Information about local services and opportunities to speak with staff and artists will be available.  
• African drumming and dance workshop for all ages and abilities. 

 Sewing and mending workshop with Mika Sembongi 

• Bring along your clothes that need mending and learn creative, sustainable ways to mend clothes. 
• Learn simple hand-sewing techniques essential for mending your clothes.  
• Discover the art of visibly mending knitwear using darning techniques. 
• Learn Japanese Sashiko mending technique, perfect for adding a unique touch to your jeans and other clothing. 

East Asian Cultural Salon by Mile Rainbow C.I.C  

• Korean, Japanese, and Chinese language sessions.  
• An East Asian dance demonstration, exploring Korean, Japanese, or Chinese dance styles and martial arts. 

 Sir Breena Intergen Mixtape 

• Enjoy a multi-generational DJ set that explores the musical eras of Windrush and African-Caribbean heritage. 

 Speaker Box Dance Party  

• Speaker Box Street Party spread messages will bring their positivity to the square with their inclusive dance party, simple interactive dance routines designed for all ages and abilities.  

 Suma Qamaña UK: Abya Yala Creative & Cultural Workshop  

• Abya Yala workshop celebrates the indigenous cultures and traditions of South and Central Americas.  
• Wiphala painting. 
• Cultural folk dance stage performance. 

 The Village Preschool E17 CIO  

• Arts and crafts workshop for children of all abilities, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

Wee Movers  

• Storytelling and dance adventures exploring the popular children's books ‘The Colour Monster’ and ‘Handa's Surprise’. 
• Explore the theme of emotions through dance.   
• The sessions are aimed at ages 2 to 8 years with grown-ups. 

This event is sponsored by Countryside Homes and the Mayor of London.