Past Projects
Looking back
Projects Overview
A selection of community arts projects delivered across Hackney, Newham, and Enfield. The programmes span theatre, dance, music, visual arts, and storytelling, with a shared focus on co-creation, wellbeing, and community engagement—particularly with older adults and underrepresented groups.
See our impact in our Project Reports here!
-
Theatre & Performance
Comedy Masterclass
Overview: A practical workshop exploring comedic techniques and devising original sketches for performance.
Location: Newham and Enfield
Impact: Strengthened participants’ performance skills and confidence in comedic expression.Storytelling and Theatre Making
Overview: A six-week participatory programme using storytelling and performance to explore life histories and migration experiences.
Location: Hackney Caribbean Elderly Organisation
Impact: Enhanced self-expression, cultural sharing, and intergenerational understanding.BrightSide
Overview: A co-creation project where participants developed and performed original children’s stories in schools and libraries.
Location: Newham (Forest Gate Library and local schools)
Impact: Built confidence, creativity, and community cohesion while reaching new young audiences.We Got the Talent
Overview: A multidisciplinary performance combining drama, dance, and music for a public showcase.
Location: Newham – Age Without Limits celebration
Impact: Challenged ageism and fostered a strong sense of belonging and peer support. -
Dance
Dance to Groovy Music
Overview: Line dancing sessions designed to explore rhythm, choreography, and creative movement.
Location: Hackney (Frampton Park Baptist Church)
Impact: Improved physical coordination, memory, and social engagement among participants.Dance to Line Dance
Overview: A dance programme combining movement with reminiscence and storytelling activities.
Location: Newham (Bonny Downs Community Centre)
Impact: Supported wellbeing through physical activity and memory-sharing. -
Music & Sound
Sounds of Us
Overview: A collaborative music project creating original songs and rhythms inspired by participants’ daily lives.
Location: Newham
Impact: Encouraged creative expression and emotional connection for people living with dementia and carers. -
Visual Arts & Sensory Practice
River of Life
Overview: An arts and crafts project using scrapbooking to explore personal memories across life stages.
Location: Enfield (St Stephen’s Church)
Impact: Supported reminiscence, identity, and meaningful engagement for people living with dementia.EAWA Workshops
Overview: A six-week visual arts and sensory programme focusing on identity, culture, and storytelling.
Location: Enfield (Enfield Welfare Asian Association)
Impact: Increased confidence and wellbeing, culminating in a public exhibition. -
Storytelling, Writing & Heritage
Community Storytelling
Overview: Workshops exploring creative writing and oral history rooted in local experiences.
Location: Enfield Town Library
Impact: Improved wellbeing, self-esteem, and engagement, particularly among older adults.Building Community Through Food
Overview: A storytelling project exploring heritage, identity, and migration through food and memory.
Location: Newham
Impact: Strengthened community connections and cultural pride, culminating in a public sharing event. -
Digital Engagement
Creative Sparks
Overview: A pilot programme of online creative sessions for housebound carers.
Location: Hackney (online delivery)
Impact: Tested new ways of reducing isolation and informed future hybrid engagement approaches.
Past Projects
Looking back at some of our most exciting projects. Learn more about past Creative Connections projects.
See something you like? Want to get involved? Visit our Creative Connections page to see how you can join us.
Visit Creative Connections-
Sounds Of Us | Soundscape
A sound scaping project, using sounds and music to stir memories and connect older residents. The end product is this gorgeous soundtrack, entitled, Morning, Noon and Night.
Sounds Of Us was a six-week creative programme bringing together local participants at Canning Town Library to explore voice, music, and self-expression. Guided by a professional musician, the group experimented with singing, spoken word, sound art and music technology, with no prior experience required, just curiosity and openness.
-
Second Chance | Performance
Second Chance is a charity shop in Dalston set up by two retired friends (Rachel & Mavis) to support young people struggling to find an affordable home. Established during Covid in an empty property the landlord is now seeking to significantly increase the rent which will force them to close the shop.
Meanwhile local retiree, Nessa has spotted the most amazing coat in the window, it’s her birthday and she wants to get her friends to come with her to buy the coat – but they have other ideas.
-
The Hackney & Newham History Social Club | Podcast
The Hackney and Newham History Social Club is an audio-storytelling podcast, which celebrates people and places that have shaped both boroughs, making Hackney and Newham what they are today. It connects the past with the present, geography with community, and uses firsthand accounts to examine the history and heritage of East London.
Made by Immediate Theatre. Made possible by The Heritage Fund
Support us
As a registered charity, Immediate Theatre relies on the support of our community to make the arts accessible to all.
There are many ways to support us in bringing the magic of creativity and community to older residents across, Enfield, Newham and Hackney.
The most effective way is by making a donation, using the link below.
If you are unable to make a donation, you can still support us by following our social media pages, sharing our campaigns and joining our mailing list.
Support UsGet involved
Seen something you like? Want to get involved? Visit our Creative Connections page to see how you can join us.
Visit Creative Connections