Creative Voices, Activist Voices: Sensory Stories of Creative Communities by Fun Palaces
This exhibition presents findings from a research project funded by Centre for Cultural Value and jointly led by Fun Palaces and sociologist Dr Katy Pilcher. Together they investigated whether communities who make creative and cultural experiences for themselves also create ways to have their needs heard. The research highlights that when communities come together across social divides to share knowledge and create cultural value while also exploring how cultural participation can unlock wider civic activism.
Find out more about it here.
The Kindred Circle
Neighbourhood Nurturing: Leveraging Our Borough for Business Growth
Universal Challenge: Finding strategic, local connections and support within the borough.
Important:
This event is only for Hackney Impact participants so please make sure that you've signed up before registering for the event. If you haven't already here is the link.
If you have any questions about this event or Hackney Impact please reach out to Barbara Silva.
This is an inclusive space for people from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome people who might feel excluded from more typical business networks
When: Tuesday 27th January 2026
Where: Arbeit Studios - Trowbridge Gardens, 1 Trowbridge Rd, London E9 5LD
Sign up:
Circular Economy in Practice: Local Enterprise & Social Value
This forum brings together founders, local entrepreneurs, and community practitioners who are actively building and running enterprises across Hackney.
Framed around circular economy in practice, the session focuses on how local enterprise can help keep value, skills, and opportunity circulating within the borough — contributing to inclusive economic growth and long-term community resilience.
The discussion will explore practical experiences, challenges, and opportunities faced by underrepresented founders and local enterprises, with a focus on place-based support, collaboration, and sustainable growth.
Sign up here.
Who can attend
Hackney-based founders and local entrepreneurs
Anyone registered with Hackney Impact
Hackney business owners
Hackney social enterprise founders
Hackney local authority officers and practitioners working in related or overlapping areas
The forum is part of Hackney Impact, a council-backed programme offering free support to Hackney-based founders and local enterprises through mentoring, practical workshops, and access to networks around funding, sustainability, and growth.
This programme is funded by the UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund, delivered by Hackney Council (London Borough of Hackney) in collaboration with Hackney Business Network, and supported by the Greater London Authority.
Hackney Impact Wrap Up
All good things come to an end, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll go quietly!
Join us for an evening of connection, creativity and celebration, with hands-on activities (like printing your own designs on thrifted t-shirts or tote bags), inspiring conversations, and of course plenty of food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Nostalgia Nights will be there for the first two hours to print your designs on tshirts and tote bags (these will be provided and don’t worry they’ll be thrifted) so get ready to unleash your creativity.
Come along on 23rd March at Trowbridge Gardens to celebrate your journey and everything you’ve achieved, whether you’ve been part of our community for the past month or for years. You’ll meet businesses from Hackney and beyond, all at different stages of growth, coming together to learn, share and connect with fellow founders.
More details coming soon, but reserve your spot now, we only have 70 spaces available.
AI for marketing Strategy
Come along to learn how to use AI to create a marketing strategy.
More information coming soon!
Register you interest with the form below - we’ll send you updates soon.
AI for Linkedin
Come along to this workshop to learn how to implement AI in your LinkedIn strategy - and not to sound like every other post out there.
Register below - more information coming soon.
AI for Instagram
Come along to learn how to use AI on your Instagram post, and most importantly on how to not sound like an LLM.
Sign up below and reserve your space - more information coming soon.
The kindred circle
From Chaos to Coffee: The Simple Systems That Save Our Sanity
Universal Challenge: Simplifying processes and implementing practical, sustainable systems to free up valuable time.
Important:
This event is only for Hackney Impact participants so please make sure that you've signed up before registering for the event. If you haven't already here is the link.
If you have any questions about this event or Hackney Impact please reach out to Barbara Silva.
This is an inclusive space for people from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome people who might feel excluded from more typical business networks
When: Tuesday 27th January 2026
Where: Arbeit Studios - Trowbridge Gardens, 1 Trowbridge Rd, London E9 5LD
Sign up:
Community Connections & Partnership Event
Bringing together partners from across the Voluntary and Community Sector with departments from across Children & Education
Join us for a special event bringing together you, our partners from across the Voluntary and Community Sector, with departments from across Children and Education- all in one place!
Come along to connect, share, learn and build stronger partnerships that will help us create a more connected, supportive future for the families we support!
We will be launching the refreshed Voluntary and Community Sector Strategy and this event focusing on children, families and education will demonstrate how we are committed to strengthening long-term relationships, deepening our understanding of each other’s work and exploring how we can collaborate more effectively for the benefit of those we all support in Hackney.
*To ensure the event is accessible for all organisations, we are offering support for very small organisations who may need assistance to attend. This support is available to organisations meeting specific criteria, including being a small organisation with an annual income of under £50,000, being Black or Global Majority-led, and working directly with families experiencing poverty. If you require this support, please contact adrianne.ennis@hackney.gov.uk for more information.
The event will take place in two sessions, and we kindly ask that each attendee signs up for just one session. Places are limited to two representatives from each organisation. When booking, please let us know which organisation you represent
Queertopia Brunch: Build on Your Chosen Family with Love and Laughter
A Queertopia Consortium event:
Join us for Queertopia Brunch where love, laughter, and chosen family come together IRL!
February can be a tough month especially for LGBTQIA+ people who may feel disconnected, isolated, or estranged from family. That’s why Queertopia Consortium is bringing the community together for a joyful, affirming brunch centred on chosen family. All profits go towards running costs for our FREE community spaces.
This is a space to come as you are. Whether you arrive with friends or on your own. Many of our attendees come alone and leave feeling connected, seen, and held by community.
✨ What to expect
A delicious Caribbean brunch provided by Chans Place
Music, Games,laughter and good vibes
Gentle connection activities (no pressure, just invitation)
A warm, alcohol-free, inclusive space
A diverse, intergenerational LGBTQIA+ community
Black and global majority-led, trauma-informed facilitation
💜 Who is this for?
LGBTQIA+ people and allies who want to build meaningful connection, especially those who:
Are building or rebuilding their chosen family
Feel isolated or new to community spaces
Want a relaxed, welcoming social event without alcohol
Believe in connection, care, and collective joy
🌈 Accessibility & values
Queertopia is a community-led CIC committed to creating safer, inclusive, and accessible spaces.
The venue has step-free access
We keep ticket prices as low as possible
Ticket Gifting supports tickets to be available from you where possible to give to someone who might not be able to afford it! We wouldn't want anyone be excluded because of finances.
💛 Community impact
Any profits from this event will go directly towards providing free, inclusive events for the LGBTQIA+ community throughout the year helping us reduce isolation and build connection for those who need it most.
If you have any access needs or questions, you’re warmly encouraged to get in touch with us after booking.
Come for the food. Stay for the connection.
Leave with new faces that feel like home.
Love. Laughter. Chosen Family.
We can’t wait to welcome you 💜
Sign up here.
Braintopia
A Nostalgia Nights event:
THE 5th BRAINTOPIA - we just finished the 4th but we miss you guys so we are back again. Big thanks to Hackney Gallery for having us again x
BRAINTOPIA 4 is back. So we suppose this is Braintopia 5. Eventually we will just call in Braintopia...probably.
Thursday afternoon until 8pm
Friday all day until 6pm
Saturday 11-11pm
Sunday - 11-4pm
ABOUT
BRAINTOPIA is a place for people to hangout. It's your very own art studio. A kind of art house / gallery / hangout zone.
Somewhere for your Brain to be let off the leash and have a wonder around.
It's a brain gym. Mind gym. Brainfullness studio. A haven of guilt free creativity.
Create a collage. Draw something. Paint the walls. Print a t-shirt with U SHIRT***. Make music. Make a podcast. Eat & drink.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
We are so excited to be back at Hackney Gallery to host BRAINTOPIA. Every day is a surprise for you and for us. If you already know us, our usual multimedia experience will be available.
***U SHIRT
U SHIRT is our core project we have been working on for 3 years, yeah that's right! We will be running this alongside the art.
U SHIRT is a customer designed fashion brand using only second hand items. You are in the designer's chair. You can create any design through drawing, collage, painting or graphic design which will be heat pressed onto your pre-loved item.
U SHIRT. Upcycled; Upgraded; Unique. Whatever makes You, U ;)
POWERED BY *B2B TECHNOLOGY
*B2B Technology is a process that connects one brain to another through the power of imagination and understanding. The power source of B2B tech is the infinite well of ideas that dwell within our subconscious.
Through the power of out BRAIN to BRAIN Technology, we guarantee you will leave BRAINTOPI4 with extra Brain connections than when you entered our threshold.
Ecosystem building
Are you building something for the community in Hackney? Are you looking to meet other ecosystem players?
Then drop in at Trowbridge Gardens and meet other ecosystem players in Hackney.
Tuesday, 3rd February. 15:00-17:00.
Meet The Buyer - Procurement Readiness Event!
WHO IS THIS EVENT FOR?
This event is for small businesses and social enterprises in Hackney who want to build the skills, knowledge and confidence to bid for and win public and private sector contracts, while strengthening relationships across Hackney Impact's combined ecosystem.
It’s designed for organisations that want to understand how procurement really works, unlock local opportunities, and contribute to community wealth building through social value, local supply chains and responsible business practices.
Following the success of the Meet the Members event led by East End Trades Guild in October 2025, this is a smaller, more focused follow-up. It gives participants direct access to buyers and decision-makers, practical insight into local procurement, and the chance to build deeper connections with potential partners and leads across the Hackney Impact Consortium.
We strongly recommend that participants register here on the London Tenders Portal before attending to look for opportunities with Hackney and other boroughs.
Sign up to the event here.
WHAT IS HACKNEY IMPACT?
Hackney Impact is a collective of local business support organisations — we are Social Founders, Allia Impact, Green Business Action, Hackney Cooperative Developments and East End Trades Guild — working together to create collective capacity to power our local economy.
By combining our unique expertise, we support businesses to grow in ways that keep wealth local, strengthen communities, and deliver measurable social and environmental value. Together, we provide the right mix of support, connections and opportunities — in Hackney — to help purpose-driven organisations and small businesses thrive. Hackney Impact is free to join, if you haven't already join here to stay in the loop about events and opportunities!
Hackney Impact is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with investment from the London Borough of Hackney and the Mayor of London.
PROGRAMME
☕ Arrivals & coffee
Settle in and start connecting.
🎤 Welcome & overview
Introductions, event overview and practical procurement resources to take away.
🏛️ Procurement masterclass
Hear directly from Hackney Council, local suppliers and procurement experts on how procurement really works, where the opportunities are, and how to submit strong tenders.
💬 Q&A
Get your questions answered by the buyers themselves.
🥤 Refreshment break 🥤
🤝 Buyer–supplier breakout sessions
Facilitated small-group discussions.
🍽️ Lunch & networking
Relaxed time to deepen conversations and explore opportunities.
LONDON BOROUGH OF HACKNEY'S BROAD CATEGORIES OF SPEND
🏗️ Built Environment & Works – Construction, building maintenance, specialist works and materials across residential, commercial and public assets.
🛣️ Highways, Streets & Transport – Road maintenance, lighting, signage, traffic management, parking systems and passenger transport.
🧹 Cleaning, Waste & Recycling – Cleaning, hygiene, waste management, recycling and specialist waste services.
⚠️ Health, Safety & Compliance – Health and safety assessments, inspections, testing and equipment maintenance.
🏟️ Leisure, Sport & Youth – Leisure facilities, sports services, playgrounds, youth and community activities.
🐾 Animal & Environmental Services – Pest control, animal welfare and veterinary services.
🌱 Green & Horticultural Services – Landscaping, grounds maintenance, arboriculture, plants and environmental upkeep.
💻 Digital, ICT & Technology – Software, hardware, cloud services, telephony, ICT support and consultancy.
🏘️ Housing & Property Services – Housing management, landlord services, homelessness and property-related support.
👥 Workforce, HR & Skills – Recruitment, staffing, training, adult learning and workforce development services.
🏢 Facilities & Operational Services – Security, storage, lifts, mail, removals and general facilities management.
🚚 Fleet & Vehicle Services – Vehicle purchase, rental, fleet management and fuel services.
⚡ Utilities & Energy – Gas, electricity, water, renewables, installation, testing and maintenance.
🪑 Furniture, Fit-Out & Equipment – Furniture, white goods, flooring and internal fit-out solutions.
👕 Clothing & PPE – Uniforms, workwear, protective clothing and PPE.
✏️ Stationery & Office Supplies – Office equipment, consumables and printed materials.
📚 Libraries, Museums & Culture – Library services, cultural materials, specialist heritage and museum equipment.
🍽️ Catering & Food Services – Catering provision, equipment and food and drink supplies.
⚖️ Consultancy & Professional Services – Legal, financial, construction-related and specialist advisory services.
👶 Children & Family Services – Childcare, youth services, family support and residential care for children.
👵 Adult Care & Support Services – Care, supported accommodation, advocacy, telecare and community support.
🧠 Health & Wellbeing Services – Mental health, sexual health, substance misuse and healthy lifestyle services.
🎓 Education & Schools – Early years, SEN, schools, education services and school meals.
Places are limited, secure your place soon. New year, new skills!
Location
Virgin Shoreditch, EC2A 3PT
Sign Up HERE
The kindred circle
Sparking ideas, getting things done. Coffee, Cakes, Community, and Connection
Looking for a space where you can be yourself? The Kindred Circle is our version of a business meeting—just with better conversation and much better cake. We skip the formal pitches to focus on real Connection. Whether you need to vent about a tough week, share a business win, or just enjoy a coffee and a natter with people who truly get it, there is always a seat for you here.
If you have any questions about this event or Hackney Impact please reach out to Barbara Silva.
When: Tuesday 27th January 2026
Where: Arbeit Studios - Trowbridge Gardens, 1 Trowbridge Rd, London E9 5LD
Sign up:
Food, Community & the Future of Social Spaces in Hackney
Social Founders - Hackney Impact’s Forum invites you to an interactive gathering exploring how food connects us, sustains us, and shapes the future of community spaces across the borough.
This forum brings together:
• Hackney’s lunch clubs
• Community food organisations
• Food-focused social enterprises
• Independent food founders and small businesses
Together, we’ll investigate how food can drive connection, sustainability, and collaboration — and how we can build a stronger, more inclusive food ecosystem across Hackney.
Registration is required via: https://luma.com/8xfgbklc.
Where: Hackney Cypriot Association-5 Balls Pond Rd, London N1 4AX, UK
The programme is funded by the UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund, Hackney Council (London Borough of Hackney) in collaboration with Hackney Business Network, and supported by the Greater London Authority.
Women Support Circle: Planting the Seeds & Cultivating Connections
Women Support Circle: Planting the Seeds & Cultivating Connections.
Q1 Vision Board for Business Growth
Ready to make 2026 your most successful year yet? Join us for an inspiring and actionable vision board workshop designed specifically for ambitious women leading businesses. This is more than just a crafting session—it’s a strategic and heart centered start to your year.
In this warm, interactive workshop, you will:
Plant the Seeds: Move beyond resolutions and strategically map out your most important goals for Q1 (January - March). Learn how to translate abstract dreams into concrete business objectives.
Cultivate Clarity: Create a personalised, powerful Vision Board that serves as your visual blueprint and daily anchor for business focus, growth, and alignment.
Cultivate Connections: Enjoy dedicated, informal time to connect, share ideas, and build genuine relationships with a community of supportive, like-minded women entrepreneurs. This is your chance to expand your network in a relaxed setting.
Set the Tone: Leave the session feeling energised, focused, and equipped with a clear roadmap to navigate the first three months of the year with purpose and momentum.
All materials, including boards, magazines, and planning worksheets, will be provided. Just bring your business aspirations and a willingness to connect!
IMPORTANT: YOU MUST BE A HACKNEY IMPACT PARTICIPANT TO ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP.
Booking Link - https://nextstepnav.fillout.com/t/dzuzxK1Xiaus
Where: Hackney Co-operative Developments CIC Bradbury Works 3 Bradbury Street London N16 8JN
BoardMatch - ELBA Event
Is your organisation looking to recruit trustees in the next two months?
ELBA’s BoardMatch events are an amazing opportunity to recruit trustees from across ELBA’s network of corporate partners.
At BoardMatch29 you will have the opportunity to pitch your organisation to an audience of employees from ELBA’s corporate partners who are seeking trustee roles, including professionals with expertise in finance, law, HR and more.
Participation is free and open to all charities and social enterprises working in east London and Islington.
BoardMatch29 will take place on the evening of 5 March at KPMG.
Applications close 17:00 Friday 9 January
Find out more and apply here.
Leveraging AI
Leveraging AI - Building tools that work for you! One of our most popular workshops, back by popular demand!
"A pragmatic session that created something useful with a responsible take on AI."
Maya D'Amour - The Power Project
"This session has been super useful! I already use ChatGPT, but Paul’s GPT chat for our business has been a game changer. I’ve been using it since the workshop, and I know it’ll be really helpful... Me and my partner/co-founder aren’t native English speakers, so having this kind of support is really valuable."
Mona Sharif - Repot Hackney
Sign up via the form below!
Local Lounge, Shoreditch Town Hall
Join us in this Hackney Impact Social Founders Forum. This forum’s theme is Strengthening Social Impact in Hackney.
Join us for an evening of connection, conversation and celebration, bringing together Hackney Social Founders, Hackney Impact participants, partners and community stakeholders.
This event marks the start of a new phase for Hackney Impact, with the chance to:
✨ Connect and network with Hackney founders, business leaders and community builders.
✨ Hear from guest speakers about their transformational experience on our first Hackney Impact programme.
✨ Find out about Hackney Impact’s upcoming plans and activities.✨ Learn about new opportunities — forums, mentorship, coffee mornings and more
✨ Celebrate the creativity and resilience of Hackney’s social impact and business communities
📍 Local Lounge, Shoreditch Town Hall
📅 Tuesday 9 December
⏰ 6:00–8:00pmNumbers are limited. We’re pleased to cover the cost of two drinks and snacks, then there’s a pay bar!
This event is for: Hackney-based Social Founders, registered Hackney Impact participants, partners and stakeholders.
Want to attend on 9th December 6.00-8.00pm?
👉 Register for free: https://luma.com/cjlvqztm
Women Support Circle - Intertwine & Thrive: Wreath Making & Connection
For 10-12 people for a 2.5hr session. The session is about connecting and networking and we are using wreath making for the holidays to improve welling and enable the women to have discussions and connect with other women led businesses.
NOTE: This event is now full and not taking any more bookings.
Social Founders Talk
Join Social Founders for an online fireside chat with Alex Stephany, Founder & CEO of BEAM, a social enterprise using AI and technology to support people into jobs and stable housing. Alex will be interviewed by Sadaffe Abid, Founder & CEO of CIRCLE Women, for an insightful discussion on social entrepreneurship, tech for good and driving impact at scale.
This session is part of the Social Founders Talk series — a chance to hear directly from leaders creating positive change.
Event Website: Social Founders Talk, Thurs. 20 November, 4.00-5.30pm UK-GMT, with Alex Stephany, Founder & CEO of BEAM · Luma
World Social Entrepreneurship Day – Networking and Talks
Get ready to connect with fellow business founders at the Allia x Peabody Community Day, with food, workshops and networking!
Do you want to start a social enterprise? Or do you already have a business and want to connect with like minded founders? Then join us on the 20th of November for an afternoon of workshops, netoworking and lighting talks.
This event is open to Allia alumni and Peabody residents who want to start a social business or that already have founded a social enterprise.
Agenda
13:00 – 13:30
Lunch and light networking
Get to know each other over an informal lunch! With food provided by us.
13:30 – 14:30
Workshop: Stress Test your business idea and crowdsourcing
Do you have a business idea? Are you ready to put it to the test? Then join us for this workshop where we’ll go through how to build a successful business idea, share your strengths and ask for help for your painpoints.
14:30 – 15:30
Lighting Talks
Introduction to Allia and Peabody’s upcoming programme in Camden and Islington. Hear from 5 businesses from our community about their journey.
15:30 – 16:00
Light bites and networking
Snacks will be provided, enjoy getting to know more about the businesses there and create some useful connections!
Event Website:
Want to attend any of the above events?
Sign up for free to the Hackney Impact community today!
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