Out of our building and into the great outdoors, back in August our team took part in All Points East In the Neighbourhood, bringing our programme ‘Our Journeys Our Endz’ to the festival. We loved seeing people of all ages get stuck into our Community Canvas and workshops, as well as enjoying our live performances and DJ sets too. Our Book Swap went down a treat for families looking to discover new stories and adventures, and our Journeys StoryTent provided the perfect spot to share our stories.

  

 

Our brilliant and talented New Creatives group were such an important part of the programme at the festival. The young people who make up the New Creatives group organised and led on many of the activities, whilst also performing in our tent too. It was such a joyous experience with so many special moments shared. 

It was also amazing to see our partners and friends out and about on the day, with All Points East giving the space and platform to recognise and appreciate just how many organisations in our community are doing impactful work – it was fantastic to be among such wonderful company. 

 

Community Canvas

 

We invited festival goers to pick up a paint brush and make their mark on our Community Canvas. A multi-generational collage of East London, kids and adults alike contributed to the canvas, working together to make an epic, colourful and collaborative work of art that represents the diversity of our community. The canvas is now a lovely reminder of the people we met and the fun that was had when creating the artwork. 

 

        

 

Live Performances

 

The good vibes were flowing as our New Creatives took to the stage to share their music and perform to the crowd. And that’s not all – the New Creatives also had an opportunity to try their hand at running a live music event too, gaining practical event management skills and experience leading up to and during the event. 

DJ Pebz, an alumni of the New Creatives group, even started an impromptu dance party thanks to her skills on the decks – one of the many highlights of the festival! 

 

 

Book Swap

 

Encouraging and celebrating the power of storytelling, we’re thrilled to have given away a load of books as part of our Book Swap. Offering a reflective moment away from the hustle and bustle of the festival, it was so wonderful to see people inspired by the books on offer and enjoying reading together in our StoryTent. 

 

 

 

StoryTent

Our StoryTent has travelled far and wide this year. From the summer fair at Christ Church Primary School to St Margaret House’s Discover Festival, and on to All Points East where people were invited to share their stories with us and also learn from the stories already embroidered into the tent.The contributions to the StoryTent weave together many common threads that bind together members of our community, who might otherwise never have met. It offered a cosy place to read at the festival, as well as prompting the recollection of memories and personal histories – the tent acting as a multi-purpose space that offered a sense of place and encouraged reflection.

 

 

All Points East was a great opportunity to give East London and beyond a flavour of what Rich Mix has to offer – but there’s plenty more where that came from. If our Book Swap and StoryTent has piqued your interest, be sure to check out our programme of family events, including StoryPlay, Active Stay and Play, Family Yoga and more. Or, if you fancy getting stuck into event planning and facilitation, or are keen to flex your creative muscles, take a look at our New Creatives offer, including weekly workshops centred around Music and Film for young people aged 16 – 24.

 

Images © Angie Owiti