What’s on
St Margaret’s House – Summer Exhibition Open Call for Submission
Deadline for submissions Monday 15th June 2026
We are delighted to announce the theme of this year’s St Margaret’s House Summer Open Exhibition: The Space Between. The exhibition will be shown in the Gallery Cafe between 21 July and 31 August.
Flourish - The vibrancy and flow of life
Tuesday 12th May - Monday 15th June, 8.30am-5pm
An exhibition exploring form and rhythm in the everyday – through fluid lines and organic textures, the show reflects on the cycles of nature and how we expand, adapt and thrive. Inspired by the themes of summer in the city, Flourish invites the viewer to find the beauty and spirit hidden within their daily lives.
Beading and Jewellery Making
Thursdays , 10am-1pm
Running for over 15 years, this community-led group meets at The Create Place every Thursday morning.
Nokshi Katha
Every Friday, 10am-1pm
A free workshop series using the skills and techniques of Nokshi Katha, one of the oldest forms of embroidery in the world.
Friday Massage
Fridays, 10am-1pm
Our Friday Massage is inspired by the informal massage rooms of South East Asia. They enjoy working in a shared space as it creates a safe and open atmosphere, welcoming all and providing a container that establishes community, connection, and healing.
In The Canvas
Health Tree Acupuncture
Mondays, 2-6pm / Fridays, 2-7pm
The multibed clinic allows the treatment of a number of people in the same room while protecting your privacy, dignity, and confidentiality. Furthermore, it also provides the opportunity to offer treatments at an affordable rate.
In The Canvas
Shag Pile - Weekly Swing Dance
Every Friday, from 6.45pm
Dive into the world of Collegiate Shag - the swift footed swing dance that set the 1920s on fire! Learn to dance fast without losing your cool with our expert teaching team and friendly regulars.
In the Mulberry Hall
Saturday Morning Stretch - Hatha Yoga
Saturdays, 9-10am
The perfect way to start your Saturday! Enjoy guided meditation and breath work surrounded by blissful music. Followed by dynamic movement and restorative stretching. Leave feeling connected to the body and breath! Sweating optional, smiling inevitable!
In The Canvas
Saturday Circus Club
Saturdays, 9.45-10.45am and 11am-12noon
Saturday morning sessions for children to learn circus skills, developing communication and creative thinking.
9.45am: Children in School Years 1-3 (younger children can attend, accompanied by an adult)
11am: Children in School Years 4-6
In the Mulberry Hall
Pregnancy Yoga with Sarah Burgess
Saturdays, 10.30-11.45am
The primary focus of this Pregnancy Yoga class is to support and enhance your pre-natal experience. The aim is to encourage a sense of relaxation and confidence all the way through your pregnancy up to, and including, labour.
In The Canvas
Restorative Pilates
Sundays, 11am-12noon and 12.15-1.15pm
A supportive mat Pilates class connecting mind and body to build stability, mobility and ease through low-impact movement.
In The Canvas
Monday Morning Crafting
Mondays, 10am-1pm
Running for over 10 years, this community-led group meets at The Create Place every Monday morning.
Integral Yoga Gentle Restorative Class
Mondays, 11am-12.30pm
Integral Yoga addresses the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of being: gentle postures followed by breathing practices, deep relaxation and an introduction to meditation.
In The Canvas
Hilarity Academy
Mondays, 3.45-5pm and 5-6.15pm
Afterschool sessions exploring making people laugh, including creating sketches and stand up material and clowning.
3.45pm: Children in School Years 3-6
5pm: Young people in School Years 7-9
In the Chapel & the Mulberry Hall
SMH Book Club
Every third Monday of the month, 6.30-8.30pm
Join the SMH Book Club! We meet once a month and welcome all, from people wanting to start reading for fun to seasoned bookworms.
In the Anson Room
Dynamic Vinyasa
Mondays, 6.30-7.30pm
Qayyah's yoga classes are a smooth, continuous, playful flow of different yoga postures. The class is a 'dynamic vinyasa', which means linking movement to your breath.
In The Canvas
Through Saharawi Eyes - The Freedom Project
Tuesday 16th June - Monday 20th July, 8.30am-5pm
An intimate exhibition of photographs by young Saharawi refugees, exploring identity, resilience, and life in exile.
Afterschool Games Club
Tuesdays, 3.30-4.30pm
Afterschool sessions for children to take part in a variety of games, from active drama, to board and card games.
Children in School Years 1-5
In The Canvas
Woodwork for Wellbeing
Tuesdays , 4-6pm & 7-9pm
Relaxed woodwork sessions for adults, meeting weekly on Tuesdays to learn new skills.
Melodies of Bollywood
Every Tuesday, 6.30-9pm
This fun and inclusive workshop invites everyone to learn and sing Bollywood songs together before an open mic where you can share your talent or simply enjoy the performances, creating a joyful space for music, connection and community.
In the Mulberry Hall
Gentle Yoga and Sound
Tuesdays, 7-8pm
This class is for anyone who wishes to practise gently and relax deeply. We begin with calming meditation and gentle breath-led movement to release physical tension before transitioning into some restorative postures and relaxation infused with the healing energy of sound.
In The Canvas
ELM Acupuncture (East London Multibed)
Wednesdays, 10am-1pm
Community Acupuncture offers gentle, ethical and affordable solutions to pain, stress and illness. Acupuncture can treat a very broad range of conditions, from the physical to the mental-emotional.
In The Canvas
Qigong Practice
Wednesdays, 2-2.30pm
Join a friendly group practising Qigong movements together with Truus every Wednesday. Qigong improves health, and to calm and heal the mind, body and spirit.
In The Canvas
Crafterschool
Wednesdays, 3.45-5.15pm
Afterschool arts and crafting sessions for children to have fun, learn skills and be mindful.
Children in Reception to School Year 4
Author Talk: Anywhere But Here
Wednesday 17th June, 6.30-8.30pm
As part of Refugee Week, join us for a talk by Nicola Kelly on the flaws of Britain's asylum system. Anywhere But Here is a powerful exposé of Britain’s broken asylum system and how it fails us all.
Explore Outdoors: Reconnecting with Nature
Thursday 18th June and Wednesday 5th August, 3-4.30pm
This 90-minute heart-led practice will guide you to reconnect with the living world around you through walking, breathing exercises and journaling in Victoria Park.
In Victoria Park
June Moving through Grief workshop: Transform trauma into resilience
Thursday 28th June, 6-8pm
This women-only workshop offers a safe and supportive space to explore grief in all its forms through reflection, movement, breathwork, sound and meditation, guiding a gentle journey from loss towards healing and love.
In The Canvas
Explore Outdoors - Herbal Tea Tasting
Thursday 18th June and Wednesday 5th August, 6-7.15pm
In celebration of Solstice, marking the longest day of the year, this workshop will teach us about the power of plants and invites an intuitive experience with herbs, guided by your own curiosity and instinct.
In the SMH Garden
Opening Event: Through Saharawi Eyes
Thursday 18th June, 6.30-8.30pm
Join us for the Opening Event of Through Saharawi Eyes, as part of Refugee Week.
Moments in Still Life
Saturday 20th June, 10am-5pm
Moments in Still Life is a collection of life drawings of the same model over a period of years during a life drawing class.
In the Chapel
Writing with Passion & Patience
Saturdays, twice a month (6 June - 18 July), 10.30am-12.30pm
This is a four-session course set over 8 weeks for neurodivergent and queer writers, regardless of experience, who want concrete tools to expand their writing practice.
Queer Migrant Pride Fest '26
Sunday 21st June, 12-9pm
We're celebrating Refugee Week and Pride Month for the FOURTH year running with Ice & Fire Theatre Company’s daytime festival of wellbeing, workshops, activities, talks, screenings and performances to foster a world without borders: EVERYONE is welcome
Women’s Wellbeing
Tuesdays, 11am-12noon
Join us for our free women’s wellbeing sessions, led by yoga practitioner Vimalamani. These sessions provide a welcoming and safe space to take part in gentle movement and meditation, helping to improve your mood, confidence and feelings of wellbeing.
In The Canvas
Social Gardening
Thursday 23rd June, 4-7pm
Join us for a monthly gardening meetup to support your wellbeing, connect with your local community and help us with the upkeep of the SMH Garden.
In the SMH Garden
Meet Make Take
Last Wednesday of the month, 10am-1pm
Join us for our free, monthly Meet Make Take session on the last Wednesday of the month. This drop-in morning arts and crafts activity gives members of our community a supportive space where they can relax, do some arts and crafts and connect with others.
Open Mic Night
Last Thursday of the month, from 6.30pm
Join us for our friendly monthly Open Mic night in The Gallery Cafe.
Sound Bath with Dan Bilbrough a.k.a Sekrit
Last Thursday of the month, 7.30-9pm
Experience the immersive rejuvenating frequencies of a Sound Bath. Through the use of Himalayan Singing Bowls, Gong and Percussion, this session will help you feel more enriched, connected and in harmony with yourself.
In the Chapel
Explore Outdoors - Lunchtime Slow Flow Yoga
Lunchtimes in Summer (Thursdays and Fridays), 12-12.45pm and 1-1.45pm
This 45-minute Slow Flow class on Thursday and Friday lunchtimes throughout the summer will connect your breath and movement through a creative sequence of poses.
In Victoria Park
I Am Here
Exhibition: Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th June, 10am-5pm
Opening Event: Friday 26th June, 6.30-8.30pm
A multimedia exhibition exploring joy, presence, healing, and inner-child expression through collage, video, disco balls, and ritual.
Natural Dye Studio
Monthly, on Saturdays, 12noon-2pm
Join Porsha Hill for a hands-on introduction to natural dyeing—explore its history, techniques, and create your own unique design using plant dyes.
Fast Fashion Therapy
Once a month, 4-6pm
Repair, Reuse and Repurpose: A sewing workshop encouraging repair, up-cycling and remodelling of used clothes.
Extra Second London
Last Saturday of the month, from 6.30pm
A cosy poetry, spoken word, music and discussion night on the last Saturday of every month. Open mic followed by discussion.
In the Chapel
Cyanotype Workshop Series
Last Sunday of the month, 10am-12.30pm
Whether you're completely new to cyanotype or looking to experiment with different materials, this is a chance to learn, create, and take home your own unique cyanotype.
In the Cabin
Shy Shares 002
Sunday 28th June, 2-4.30pm
A music and sound workshop - share something you're working on, enjoy listening together, and offer feedback to other music artists - whilst sharing tea, snacks and stories.
In the Mulberry Hall
PsychArt Workshop Series: Hysteria and Surrealism - Life Drawing Workshop
Tuesday 30th June, 7-9pm
Join us for the 5th workshop in the PsychArt Workshop Series, as we discuss how the surrealists copied 19th century medical photography portraying "hysteria," followed by a life drawing session with a model.
In the Mulberry Hall
Explore Outdoors - Art in the Park
Fridays, 11am-1pm (3 July - 21 August)
Sundial Arts are excited to announce the return of Art in the Park - a 10-week series of free visual art workshops in Victoria Park.
In Victoria Park
D/deaf Cafe
First Friday of the month, 4-7pm
We’re excited to be hosting a monthly D/deaf Cafe - an inclusive, integrated space where people can come together to have conversations using BSL, and enjoy a presentation by a D/deaf professional or someone working to support the D/deaf Community.
Boxes and Scenarios
Exhibition: Saturday 3rd - Sunday 5th July, 10am-5pm
Opening Event: Friday 3rd July, 6.30-8.30pm
John’s work shows the use of diverse materials and source material gleaned from a lifetime of books, theatre, films and music as well as artefacts found on his travels and at his home base by the Thames estuary.
In the Chapel
RICAMI: Embroidery, Community & Connection for Parents and Babies
Sundays 5th and 26th July 11am-12.30pm
Creative textile workshops for parents and babies, combining embroidery, conversation and community-building in a supportive environment.
Crafting is Connecting
First Monday of the month, 6-8pm
Come along to our new knitting & crochet workshop: Crafting Is Connecting! Surplus materials are provided, but please bring your own knitting/crochet project to work on.
Rhythms of London
Exhibition: Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th July, 10am-5pm
Opening Event: Friday 10th July, 6.30-8.30pm
Rhythms of London explores the city through contrasts of stillness and movement, combining nature, architecture, and human presence.
Returning to Yourself: A Summer Grief Movement Retreat
Saturday 11th July, 12.30-4.30pm
This women-only retreat offers a structured, supportive space for women to process and release grief and loss through the body. Grief is not only emotional; it is stored physically and neurologically. When unexpressed, it can show up as tension, fatigue, numbness, anxiety, or a sense of being “stuck.”
In The Studio
Grief Cafe
Second Monday of the month, 2-3pm
In partnership with City and East London Bereavement Service we offer a monthly Grief Cafe for people to come together.
Art Cafe
Second Tuesday of the month, 6-8pm
Join us for our monthly free art cafe of collaborative drawing in The Gallery Cafe.
Community Litterpicking
Whenever works for you!
We are a Cleanup UK Cleanup Hub! This means we have litter picking equipment that you can borrow to be a Green Hero and clean up your community.
In the local Bethnal Green area
Bender Defenders
Saturdays, 3-5pm
St Margaret’s House have hosted Bender Defenders for many years for their weekly martial arts sessions. Join them at SMH for Muay Thai beginner and intermediate level sessions.
In the Mulberry Hall
Brown Girls Book Club
Last Thursday of every other month, 7-9pm
Every other month, we choose a book written by a South Asian female author and bring together our community to celebrate these and discuss the wider themes these raise within our communities.
In the Anson Room
Tower Hamlets u3a
Various times and dates
St Margaret’s House have hosted the Tower Hamlets u3a for many years. The u3a is a friendly group for people in their ‘Third Age’, no longer in full time work who love to learn, have fun and meet others.
Throughout St Margaret’s House
Explore Outdoors - Mindfulness Meditation in the Park
Wednesdays (5th August - 2nd September) and Fridays (7th August - 4th September)
Join Damselfly and Lotus for this 5-week journey of exploring mindfulness practices and some of the basic underlying theory of the mind and body.
In Victoria Park
Explore Outdoors - Writing in Nature
Wednesdays, 10-11.30am (5 August - 2 September)
Join F. Zeeshan Choudhury for Writing in Nature - a 5 week series of free writing workshops in Victoria Park.
In Victoria Park
Explore Outdoors - Mindful Nature Walk & Drawing Workshop
Saturday 8th August, 12.30-4pm
A mindful nature walk and creative drawing workshop for the LGBTQIA+ community in Victoria Park and St Margaret's House.
In Victoria Park and In the SMH Garden
East End WI
Third Thursday of the month, 7-9pm
St Margaret’s House have hosted the East End WI for many years for their monthly lively and friendly talks. The EEWI welcomes women of all ages, from all communities and all walks of life.
In the Mulberry Hall
Repair Cafe
Saturday 25th April, 10am-1pm
Join us for our Repair Cafe where we'll help you mend and repair a range of items.
In the Mulberry Hall
Ayoka Second Hand Fashion Show
Saturday 26th September, 2-4pm
We know how much you all love our charity boutique, Ayoka. This is your opportunity to see the clothes from Ayoka as you have never seen them before: on the catwalk!
In the Mulberry Hall
Tower Hamlets Wheelers
Second Wednesday of the month, 7.30-9pm
St Margaret’s House have hosted Tower Hamlets Wheelers for many years. They are a local cycling campaign group bringing issues to the attention of the local council and other authorities.
In the Cabin
Flourish - The Vibrancy and Flow of Life Exhibition - Closing Conversations
Thursday 11th June, 6.30-8.30pm
Join Rebecca and Virginia of WomenontheEdge in the Closing Conversations event, celebrating the Flourish - The Vibrancy and Flow of Life exhibition, moderated by Virginia Orr.
The Body Remembers: A Grief Movement Session
Thursdays, twice a month, 6-7pm
This workshop is a supportive space for women to process grief through gentle movement, breathwork, sound, meditation and a restorative sound bath to release emotions, reconnect with the body and find healing calm.
In The Canvas
Wrap a Hug Sling Library
Thursdays, two/three times a month, 10am-1pm
We are delighted to host Wrap a Hug Sling Library. They can support you on your babywearing and parenting journey, whether you are expecting, have a new baby, toddlers or preschoolers.
In The Canvas
St Margaret's House Inspired Textile Printing
Monday 8th June, 6-8pm
Join us for a relaxed textile printing workshop using stencils inspired by the history and people of St Margaret’s House. You'll get the chance to print your own tote bag to take away.
In the Anson Room
Slow down Sunday: gentle movement, restorative yoga and yoga nidra
Sunday 7th June, 3.30-5.30pm
This workshop is a nourishing afternoon of gentle yoga, restorative poses, breathwork and yoga nidra designed to release tension, calm the nervous system and support deep rest, renewal and inner stillness.
in The Canvas
Community Eid Party
Sunday 7th June, 12noon-4pm
Join us to celebrate Eid al-Adha 2026 as a community, whilst showcasing the creative and culinary work produced through Communal Dining’s workshops across East London.
In the Mulberry Hall
Expressions of Dreams Through Art
Saturday 6th - Sunday 7th June, 10am-5pm
Art exhibition and workshop inspiring participants to transform dreams, travel, and personal experiences into meaningful, healing creative expression
In the Chapel
Ignite London: Write like a Grrrl
Wednesdays (five weeks), 6.45-8.45pm
If you haven’t written creatively before but always wanted to, or if you haven’t written for some time and want to kick-start your practice, then this low-cost, intensive course is for you.
Voyagers: An Interplanetary Adventure
Saturday 30th May, 11am and 1.30pm
Join Jasper on his journey through the Solar System and help guide him from mission control. Theatre show aimed at children 6-11 and their families.
In the Mulberry Hall
Tom&Gerry The Exhibition
Exhibition: Saturday 30th - Sunday 31st May, 10am-5pm
Opening Event: Friday 29th May, 6.30-8.30pm
Curated by Tom Lemon & Gerard Cassidy, this exhibition presents a historical, sometimes cinematic glimpse into years gone by. Rainham to Limehouse is a nod to their creative imaging journey.
May Moving through Grief Workshop: Transforming Anxiety into Courage
Thursday 28th May, 6-8pm
This women-only workshop offers a safe and supportive space to explore grief in all its forms through reflection, movement, breathwork, sound and meditation, guiding a gentle journey from loss towards healing and love.
In The Canvas
Tiny Giants - Half Term Puppetry Workshop
Tuesday 26th May, 10am-12noon, Wednesday 27th May, 10am-12noon, Thursday 28th May, 10am-12noon
Tiny Giants is a playful, hands-on puppetry workshop for children aged 5–11 that brings everyday, overlooked materials to life through imagination, making and storytelling.
In The Studio
Traces of Us
Exhibition: Saturday 23rd - Sunday 24th May, 11am-4pm
Opening Event: Friday 22nd May, 6.30-8.30pm
Traces of Us presents works by 13 artists who met through an online photography course, each distinct in style yet connected through a shared creative process.
In the Chapel
Creativity & Wellbeing Week: Art Cafe
Thursday 21st May, 2.30-4.30pm
Join us for an extra special day-time Art Cafe as we celebrate Creativity & Wellbeing Week! As long as the weather is nice, we'll be in the garden.
Creativity & Wellbeing Week: THCH Networking
Wednesday 20th May, 9.30-11.30am
Join St Margaret's House and other members of the Tower Hamlets Creative Health Forum (THCH) for informal conversations and networking, as part of Creativity & Wellbeing Week.
In The Studio
PsychArt Workshop Series | Befriending the Shadow: Mask Making Workshop
Tuesday 19th May, 7-9pm
Join us for a mask-making workshop which explores Jungian notions of our shadow selves in relation to grief and loss. Part of Creativity & Wellbeing Week.
In the Mulberry Hall
Regular Poetry Club: Lost in the Foxglove
Twice a month, at different times
This bi-monthly workshop series supports poetic development in a relaxed, queer-friendly space, encouraging writing, sharing and connection while building confidence, embracing imperfection and opening pathways from first draft to future performance.
Freshly Squeezed Scratch Night
Thursday 14th May, 7pm
Join us for a fantastic night of vibrant new writing, in collaboration with Flat4 Theatre!
In the Mulberry Hall
The Shape of Remembering
Exhibition: Saturday 9th - Sunday 10th May, 10am-5pm
Opening Event: Friday 8th May, 6.30-8.30pm
Working primarily through drawing, Veronica Rowlands creates detailed, symbolic compositions that draw on natural forms, pattern, and repetition.
In the Chapel
Storytelling with SASS: Adornment
Thursday 7th May, 7-9pm
South Asian Sisters Speak (SASS) invites you to join us for a live storytelling event with Anisha Parmar, a jeweller and curator. We will spend the evening unpacking the theme of adornment.
Brightness Spreads
Exhibition: Saturday 2nd - Sunday 3rd May, 10am-5pm
Opening Event: Friday 1st May, 6.30-8.30pm
Brightness Spreads is the inherent meaning of the artist’s name and serves as a guiding principle in navigating her artistic journey. Kim’s first solo exhibition features works accumulated throughout her studies at Chelsea College of Arts.
In the Chapel
Moving through Grief
Thursday 30th April, 6-8pm
This women-only workshop offers a safe and supportive space to explore grief in all its forms through reflection, movement, breathwork, sound and meditation, guiding a gentle journey from loss towards healing and love.
In The Canvas
PsychArt Workshop Series | Cyanotype Workshop
Tuesday 28th April, 7-9pm
A guided exploration of cyanotype printing using UV light, and culminating in a collaborative artwork exploring the theme of altered states.
In the Mulberry Hall
Cut Out Club
Last Sunday of the month, 2-4pm
Join Assemblage Collective and DeZiners to make zines in this latest Cut Out Club workshop. In these monthly workshops, we explore a variety of themes.
Come along to our Valentine cyanotype zine date night.
Walk Collect Make
Saturday 25th April, 11am-1pm
Join current Artist in Residence Rebecca Wilson for a guided walk and mini book-making workshop as a part of her Routes & Encounters exhibition.
In the Chapel
Routes & Encounters
Exhibition: Saturday 25th - Sunday 26th April, 11am-4pm
Opening Event: Friday 24th April, 6.30-8.30pm
Workshop: Saturday 25th April, 11am-1pm
Using the routes from Bethnal Green station that criss cross to St Margaret's House, Rebecca (artist in Residence) explored the different paths to the same destination, focusing on chosen pause points along the way.
In the Chapel
because i liked a boy
Exhibition: Saturday 18th - Sunday 19th April, 10am-5pm
Opening Event: Friday 17th April, 6.30-8.30pm
This mixed-media exhibition draws from everyday encounters and personal documentation, Liam Mooney re-contextualises familiar materials to create a reflective environment that holds traces of a past relationship.
In the Chapel
Tsyganochka Project: Balkan Village Band Performance
Thursday 16th April, from 7pm
Join us for the latest music gig from the Balkan Village Band!
The Civilisations
Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th April, 12noon-5pm
The Civilisations presents a series of Sculptural works by Artist Tajinder Dhami that explore the entwined forces of spirituality and Hegemony. Dhami creates mini-worlds and micro-stages where objects mirror past, present and future conditions.
In the Chapel
When the body lets go: A Spring Grief Retreat
Saturday 11th April, 1-5pm
This women-only retreat offers a structured, supportive space for women to process and release grief and loss through the body. Grief is not only emotional; it is stored physically and neurologically. When unexpressed, it can show up as tension, fatigue, numbness, anxiety, or a sense of being “stuck.”
In The Studio

