A Big Brother style diary room was just one of the fun activities taking place at the Festival of Life in Hackney on Saturday 8th September.
Following last year’s successful launch of the scheme Sanctuary Housing Association sponsored a second community event to celebrate its Heart of Hackney project.
The Heart of Hackney project aims to improve facilities for children and young people, promote healthy communities and create cleaner and sustainable neighbourhoods. The scheme looks to strengthen the local community, increase the skills and knowledge of participants and foster a sense of commitment and common purpose.
Sanctuary Housing residents and staff, and local councillors, including Geoff Taylor, were in attendance. Heart of Hackney partners who were there on the day included the Pension Service, The Healing Tent, Shoreditch Spa, Immediate Theatre, ecoACTIVE, PRESET, the Albion Kids Show, Musical Bumps, Hackney Housing Benefit and Hackney Council.
Hackney New Credit Union was also on hand to give financial advice to residents from Sanctuary’s Morningside, Gascoyne, Old Kingshold, Shore and Kingsmead estates.
Up to 400 visitors attended the event throughout the day and one of the main highlights was the Big Brother diary room, modeled on the Channel 4 reality hit TV show, where people could step in and share their thoughts on Sanctuary Housing, the Heart of Hackney Project and life in the area.
The event helped to raise awareness of resident engagement and community initiatives in the area and provided visitors with information on finances, recycling, mentoring and healthy living. Enterprising individuals demonstrated henna painting, face painting and hair and beauty treatments. Guests were encouraged to sign up for Heart of Hackney Parenting Taster Workshops and were given the chance to taste Caribbean and Italian food.
Sharon Standell, regional director for Sanctuary Hereward, said: “It was a fantastic event which was a culmination of all our activities since the launch of Heart of Hackney in April this year.
“It brought the community and Sanctuary staff together on a glorious day in the wonderful setting of Well Street Common which emphasises what a great place Hackney is to live and work in.”
14 September 2007