Community Projects

Working with our community, for our community

We have a broad range of community projects here at St Margaret’s House. From workshops, support groups, exhibitions and installations, to year-long heritage projects and special seasonal events.

Below you can read about what’s happening now and what’s happened previously, to give you a sense of the breadth of our work.

Our community projects bring local people together or offer new approaches to creative engagement for existing groups in our local area. We also create bespoke opportunities for our community to engage with important themes and stories, often working with other partners who have a great idea that we can support to reach its potential.

Current Projects

  • Ghyama Arts

    Our project delivering arts and wellbeing sessions with the Bangladeshi Parents and Carers Association.

  • Repair Cafes

    In partnership with The Royal Foundation of St. Katherine, we host monthly Repair Cafe across Tower Hamlets.

  • Grief Cafes

    In partnership with City and East London Bereavement Service we offer a monthly Grief Cafe for people to come together.

  • Wrap a Hug Sling Library

    A community space for new and expectant parents to find professional support on their parenting journey.

  • Gentle Exercise with Sonali Gardens

    Delivering gentle exercise for over 65s at Sonali Gardens Day Centre to support health and wellbeing.

  • Charity Shop Hop

    Our Charity Shop Hop brings together 7 local charity shops with the help of Bethnal Green artist Shahena Begum.

  • Hens with Heart

    A partnership with Hens with Heart, the only platform dedicated to helping hen parties do things for others, or for the good of the world.

  • Monday Morning Crafting

    Running for over 10 years, this community-led group meets at The Create Place every Monday morning.

  • Woodwork for Wellbeing

    Relaxed woodwork sessions for adults, meeting weekly on Tuesdays to learn new skills.

  • Beading and Jewellery Making

    Running for over 15 years, this community-led group meets at The Create Place every Thursday morning.

  • Queer Poetics Research Group

    Supporting previous Artist in Residence Marianne Habeshaw with their DYCP funding from Arts Council England.

  • Kantha Embroidery

    A free workshop series using the skills and techniques of kantha embroidery, one of the oldest in the world.

Past Projects

  • Bengali Sewing Group

    A free sewing workshop series for Bangladeshi women to connect and learn new skills.

  • The January Challenge

    A collaboration with 64 Million Artists, delivering three creative prompts.

  • Mendoza Mania

    Our heritage project investigating local boxing hero Daniel Mendoza.

  • Mad Women

    A play inspired by Violeta Parra, Frida Kahlo and Judith Marquez, female Latin American artists who struggled with their mental health.

  • Molly's Masquerade

    Our heritage project investigating Molly Houses, the meeting place for 18th queer subculture.