Hackney is London's 6th most ethnically diverse borough (GLA Div. Index 2017) and 11th (up from 2nd) most deprived of 354 English LAs (IMD 2015). Child poverty is 4th highest in London, with over 37% of Hackney’s children living below the poverty line. This project will reach the poorest children, whose lives COVID-19 has significantly disrupted. By bringing vulnerable children back into their community, our project will encourage social reintegration, tackling isolation and rediscovering joy.

9 out of 10 residents view Hackney as a place with a strong sense of community (LBH 2019). With 10 local partners, our project presents 10 performances of a theatre work created for children under 6yrs. By hosting this unique series of community-based social events, our ambition is to re-engender the feeling of community that Covid-19 lockdown has damaged. Through gentle, structured play, we will remind these children that they are part of an extended community, invested in their well-being.