Until Friday 31 March

Contemporary women artists, activists, writers and performers present a diverse
programme of events and exhibitions celebrating women in galleries, venues, libraries and institutions across East London. Events taking place during International Women’s Week 4-12 March are included in this programme.

Image Credit: Oitij-jo / Still from 'Banglatown' by Farihah Chowdhury

Until Thursday 30 March

Monday to Friday 9.00am to 7.00pm & Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm / The Brady Arts and Community Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, E1 5HU

Alternative Arts presents an exhibition celebrating women's sport with contemporary images by women photographers and archive material from Bishopsgate Institute, Tower Hamlets Sports Development, the Brady Club Archive and London Metropolitan Archives. In the year of the Women's Football World Cup, they look at the diversity of women's sport with current photographs of boxing, weightlifting, pole dancing, running, rowing, football, netball, cycling, badminton, exercising, and fashion alongside archive images from the 20th Century.

Image Credit: Sarah Ainslie

Until Friday 31 March 

March is here! Which can only mean one thing – it’s AWAN Festival month. Up until 31 March, a wide range of events will be held in different locations across London, including Rich Mix, Grand Junction, Royal Albert Hall Elgar Rooms, Finch Cafe, and the Arab British Centre. If you’re still not sure which events to attend, Arts Canteen have you covered below with their handy guide and brochure detailing each festival event.

Tower Hamlets Council with partners is proud to host a weeklong programme of community sports and physical activities sessions for females aged 11 to 50+ in celebration of International Women’s Week 2023.

Activities include tournaments for football, walking netball, mini tennis, badminton, and basketball, and activities such as aerobics, body conditioning, cycling, swimming, circuits, pilates, self-defence and more. For more information and bookings please contact Pauline.Stewart@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Wednesday 8 March / 2.00 to 4.00pm / Standard Chartered, 1 Basinghall Ave, EC2V 5DD

ELBA & Standard Chartered are hosting an International Women's Day event focussed on networking, leadership and strategy. Senior leaders and members of Standard Chartered Women's Network will join this facilitated event in which we invite community partners to join in peer conversations to share learning as leaders, women and allies.

The theme for International Women's Day is DigitALL. All attendees will be asked to share topics of discussion but there will be some focus on innovation, technological change and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

Wednesday 8 March / @6.00pm / Unit 3 Lighterman House, 3 Clove Crescent, E14 2BB

Celebrate International Women's Day with Oitij-jo! Presenting a panel of British-Bangladeshi women working in Publishing, Research, Journalism + a very special short film screening. This event will act as an official public launch to Oitij-jo's community library featuring an array of South Asian books on culture and art, all donated from members of the community. Attendees will have the opportunity to browse through the collection. Bring your old books! Food will be available and prepared by Oitij-jo Kitchen.

Thursday 9 March / 7.00 to 9.30pm / Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA

The appetite for True Crime on TV, podcasts, film and literature is on the rise. We're all obsessed with violence and murder – there is rarely a TV thriller that does not start with a dead (often naked) woman in a skip, or being dragged from the bottom of a river – or running in fear for her life - as though acts of violence are merely the inciting incident before the mystery is solved – usually by a man. 

But the truth is that abuse and assault cause enormous trauma and have a lasting impact on victims/survivors, and the idea that male violence against women and girls is so often a ‘starting point’ for a story is problematic and adds to cultural misogyny.   

What can we do to ensure that our entertainment is entertaining without being exploitative and what does a feminist take on a thriller look like? Join Solace and their expert all-women panel for an evening of engaging discussion of these issues during International Women's Month.

Saturday 11 March to Saturday 1 April / St. Margaret's House, 21 Old Ford Road, E2 9PL

What does it mean to ‘be a woman’ nowadays, and how does it affect our mental health? You’re invited to join 4 drama workshops, where you can express yourself and your views on womanhood, arts and mental health. An intimate, safe and empowering part of the research and development of ‘Mad Women’ a multidisciplinary performance. Funded by Arts Council England

11 March / Sexuality & the Vulnerability of Pleasure (14:30-18:00)

18 March / Women In Arts - Witness & Protagonists (14:30-18:00)

25 March / Motherhood and the Trauma of ‘giving birth’ (14:30-18:00)

1 April / Gender Oppression & fighting against the Patriarchy (14:00-17:00)

Monday 13 March / 6.00pm to 8.00pm / Genesis Cinema, 93 Mile End Road, London E1 4UJ

Join Positive East, Queen Mary University and Barts Health NHS Trust for the launch of their findings through community research on the barriers to PrEP faced by Black women in East London, alongside the premiere of our animation to promote the power of PrEP for women of African descent.

There will also be a panel discussion and opportunities to ask questions to those involved in the Women4Women programme, including community researchers and HIV experts and an opportunity to network with those working in the sexual health field and other members of the community. For more information contact Pamela.menzies-Banton@positiveeast.org.uk

Monday 13 March / 10.00am to 2.00pm / Limehouse Project, 789-791 Commercial Road, Unit 2, St Anne Street, E14 7HG

To celebrate International Women's Day, the Ethnic Minority Network at the Limehouse Project is hosting a women only event. This year's theme is innovation and technology.

Thursday 16 March / 11.30am to 3.30pm / The Atrium Bethnal Green 124 Dunbridge Street, E2 6EJ

Embracing Equity: When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, and we embrace inclusion. We embrace equity to forge harmony and unity, and to help drive success for all. Equality is the goal and equity is the means to get there. Through the process of equity, we can reach equality.

This training programme is for programme managers, fundraisers, and directors responsible for service improvement. Through a series of three case study based training modules, we look at how a fictional CEO, Mary, approaches impact measurement; identifies the type of evaluation best for her services; and how she addresses challenges she encounters along the way.

Wednesday 15 March, 11am-2.30pm / Evaluating Programmes: A case study - Click here to register

Wednesday 29 March, 11am-2.30pm / Using Impact and Evaluation Data in Practice - Click here to register

The Tower Hamlets Women's Network would like to invite you to become a member. They aim to create a programme to raise the profile of women in the borough, share ideas and explore current issues impacting women in the borough. Membership of the Network is open to women who are local residents and who are members or staff of local women’s groups and VCS organisation.

Tuesday 7 March / 7.00 to 8:30pm / Online

elop are hosting a wellness workshop that will enable you to develop an individualised plan to manage your wellness in relation to your menstrual cycle. Knowing your menstrual cycle can alert you to ideal times to socialize, do focused work, be intimate, increase training intensity, or prioritize some down time for example. This workshop will support you to understand your body and responses to your menstrual cycle and explore physical, emotional and other impacts and plan how to alleviate symptoms as well as celebrating and exploring the positive impact of periods.

Wednesday 29 March / 5.30pm / Positive East, 159 Mile End Rd, Bethnal Green, E1 4AQ

New to Tower Hamlets? Looking for more LGBT+ groups and events? Come and find out about the Tower Hamlets LGBT+ Forum! They would like to welcome anyone who is interested in getting involved to come along from 5.30pm to find out more over a cup of tea, possibly a game or a short quiz. You are also welcome to stay for the forum meeting which starts at 6pm. 

For more information or further questions please email lgbtforum@elop.org

The Equalities Hub is key to the new direction for the Council’s equalities provision, providing a central strategic focus, responding to the community’s needs and issues. The Hub will be vital to bringing about a more coordinated approach to equalities in the borough. If you want to find out more on how to get involved or if you have information you would like to share with the networks please get in touch.

Thursday 16 March / 10.00am to 12.30pm / on Zoom

This workshop is aimed at organisations developing or reviewing safeguarding policies, procedures and practices for working with children and young people. Using the NSPCC's safeguarding and child protection self-assessment tool, the VCTH will cover what safeguarding policies an organisation may need and the implications of a policy for practice and procedures. To book and for Zoom details, please complete the booking form by 5pm on Friday 10 March.

Wednesday 22 March / 2.00 to 4.00pm / L&Q, 29-35 W Ham Ln, E15 4RP

This ELBAToolkit session will be presented by a social media expert from L&Q focusing on how organisations can make the most of social media. Topics of focus will include:

• Channel building
• Tips on getting your message across
• How to use analytics and data
• Tips on content creation

For more information and to sign up, please email community@elba-1.org.uk

As part of the Early Help and Children and Families Service, the Parenting and Adult Education (PAE) team coordinate courses, programmes and employment pathways for families with children from birth – 19 years old and up to 25 years for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Please see LBTH's Summer 2023 Directory for a full list of all of our programmes and courses. 

Sundays / 1.30 to 5.30pm / CRC Upper Floor, Devon's Hall, Powis Road, E3 3NL

Join the Faith Action Partnership every Sunday after worship service for a variety of activities that will tackle some of your concerns in a friendly environment: Befriending, hot food, exercise, cancer awareness, crime prevention tips and more.

For more information, email info@cavocela.com / 07939 025 832 / 07741 548 950

Wednesdays until 15 March / 1.30 to 2.30pm / St Hilda’s LinkAge Plus, Sonali Gardens

Join English National Ballet and take part in creative and enjoyable dance movement
workshops and improve your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Each class is accompanied by a musician playing live. The Spring term is inspired by a new work in English National Ballet’s repertoire: The Rite of Spring by Mats Ek. No previous dance experience necessary! For more information and to join, please contact the team on 020 7265 9292.

Thursdays / 12.00 to 2.00pm / GreatArt, 41-49 Kingsland Road, E2 8AG

This programme is open to females aged 18+ from diverse ethnic background living, working, and studying in East London. Sessions will improve fitness and activity levels with weekly 2-hour outdoor walking sessions within Tower Hamlets and Hackney, incorporating a creative activity of sketching/drawing.

Saturdays until April / 1.00 to 3.00pm / The London Congolese Chaplaincy, Roman Catholic Church of St Mary & St Michael, 2 Lukin Street, El OAA

Do you fancy socializing and participating in community health awareness
and well being activities? Come along and enjoy coffee, refreshments, African and Congolese cuisine and music, health information, community conversations about mental health education, support on cost of living and debt management and support during the winter crisis connecting the community to universal services. For more information, please call us on :07529732377 or email thefamiliessgroup@gmail.com

7, 21 March / 4, 18 April / 2, 16, 30 May / 13, 27 June / 11, 25 July / 1 August

You are invited to take part in an art project about mental health. In fortnightly sessions at Chisenhale Gallery in Bow, starting on the 21st of February, you will work with artist ‘the vacuum cleaner’, Cecilia Wee and an inspiring group of activists. Together, you will begin to imagine what a London-wide programme of art for mental health could be.You need zero experience in making art. 

• The programme is open to young people (15-25) who have experienced struggles with their mental health who live in Tower Hamlets and surrounding areas.
• Young people will be paid the London Living Wage (£12p/h) + travel expenses will be covered.
• You do not need to have any experience with art, and the project are especially interested in young people who may not usually get involved in projects like this one.

If you’d like to take part, to hear more, or know someone who might be interested, contact Seth at: seth.pimlott@chisenhale.org.uk or on 07557384717

Wednesday 8 March / 11.30am to 2.30pm / Create Community Hub, 35 Ronald St., E1 ODT

Create Community Hub, CLDS and the Clinical Commissioning Group is holding an event aimed at people with learning disabilities who live in Tower Hamlets. This event will be organised by the Empowering Voices group. It will be a chance to have your voice heard about your experiences living, working and accessing services in Tower Hamlets. For more information call 0207 364 6950.

Thursday 9 March / 10.00 to 2.00pm / Tramshed Community Hub, Digby Street, E2 0LS

Celebrate and reflect on the impact of social prescribing projects in Tower Hamlets, as part of Social Prescribing Day 2023! Social prescribing is a powerful tool in supporting health and wellbeing, reducing loneliness and isolation and empowering people to take part in new activities. This event will introduce some of the key players in Tower Hamlets working in social prescribing, and provide opportunities to see the projects that are running in the borough. Lunch will be provided, followed by the opportunity to meet a range of local service providers.

Friday 31 March / Big Advice Day: The FSI’s quarterly Big Advice Day is a chance for you to speak to an advisor about pretty much anything charity-related - and it's free! You'll be able to arrange a time with your advisor for your session (to be held either online or over the phone). The only criteria to access free one-to-one advice is that you need to be a member of the FSI with an income of under £1 million. Register your interest here.

The Bengali Photography Archive brings together photographs taken of and by east London's Bengali community, past and present. This year-long project is working with local residents, volunteers and photographers to collect photos and interviews for this exciting new collection.

Four Corners and Swadhinata Trust, are looking for images with a story to tell. Photographs and interviews will be lodged at the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archive, and will also be accessible online.

Image credit: © Raju Vaidyanathan, 1986, 'Outside Ali Brothers’ grocery shop, Fashion St

Building Strong Communities Fund - Round 3 

Deadline: 1.00pm on Monday 13 March 2023
Round 3 of the Building Strong Communities fund is now open to receive applications. The total funding pot is £200,000 and will be made up of small grants of between £1,000 to £6,000. Grants are available for equity-led groups with an annual turnover of £0 to £50,000. 

Deadline: Wednesday 22 March @ 4.00pm EDT

The Citi Foundation announced its first-ever Global Innovation Challenge request for proposal to support community organisations around the world that are developing innovative solutions to advance food security. This inaugural challenge will provide a collective $25 million to 50 organisations working to pilot or expand ideas and projects that are designed to improve food security and strengthen the financial health of low-income families and communities.

Deadline Monday 17 April

Just Food and Climate Transition (Just FACT programme), in partnership with Wen with research by Platform London are excited to be launching this new scheme which will award £200,000 worth of grants to Tower Hamlets projects over the next 2 years! 

The scheme, launching today, 6 March is suitable for local organisations and groups addressing issues around food justice and climate change. Over 5 years, people in Tower Hamlets will be working together to design and create the building blocks for a local food system that is democratic, environmentally sustainable, and people-driven. 

There are two new grant funds, which are open for applications:

• Community Hub Fund (£1,000-£10,000) : For projects that will create space for conversation, learning and action on food and climate issues  
• Community Lab Fund (£10,000-£40,000) : For larger scale projects that create new community-led food systems and have the potential to reduce carbon emissions 

This project has been funded by the National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund.

The new proposed Mayor's Community Grant Programme funding aims deliver services between October 2023 to March 2027 and will include the following five themes: 

• Tackle the Cost-of Living crisis- Focusing on improving financial and economic wellbeing of residents
• Accelerate Education- Focusing on improving educational attainment and development of children and young people
• Culture, business, jobs and skills- Focusing on increasing employment and skills opportunities for socially excluded residents
• Invest in public services- Focusing on improving wellbeing of residents and reduce isolation and inactivity amongst older people
• Empower Communities and fight crime- Focusing on addressing inequalities experienced by people reflecting different equality groups and address community safety issues impacting residents

The National Databank provides free mobile data, texts and calls to people in need via Good Things Foundation’s network of local community partners. Think of it like a ‘food bank’ but for internet connectivity data. Community organisations can apply to access the databank, enabling them to provide data to people in their communities who need it.

Do you run a community group or any small organisation that supports One Housing or Riverside residents? One Housing have made £250,000 available in 2022/23 through their new Community Fund to help fund projects that promote opportunities and wellbeing and tackle poverty in our communities. If you’ve got an idea that could make a difference, they want to hear from you.

The 30th year of the Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs (DBACE) gets under way with applications open from Tuesday 31 January. This could be your chance to secure: Up to £20,000 investment to start or grow your enterprise;
Membership to MeWe360's Incubator programme, including 12-months of business support with MeWe360 and Deutsche Bank's high calibre industry & business mentors. DBACE offers a range of fantastic resources to support you with your application.

This funding aims to help communities across the UK to address climate change.

National Lottery Community Fund are looking for projects that focus on the link between nature and climate. They want to fund projects that use nature to encourage more community-led climate action. The NLCF expect these projects to bring other important social and economic benefits. Like the creation of strong, resilient and healthy communities or the development of ‘green’ skills and jobs.

Grants of between £300,000 and £500,000 are available, with grants of £50,000 to £150,000 over 12 to 18 months also available to constituted groups or clubs, voluntary or community organisations, registered charities, CIOs, SCIOs, CICs and more. The deadline for applications is ongoing.

Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are available for charities, voluntary groups, schools, and local authorities in England to carry out projects that will improve their local community. The aim of the grants programme is to support communities to thrive by funding projects that build strong relationships in and across communities. The deadline for applications is ongoing.

Do you require support with putting together or reviewing funding applications? The East London Business Alliance (ELBA) is a charity brokering opportunities to connect the corporate and community sectors. They are currently offering volunteer support to organisations who need help with writing and reviewing grant funding applications.

Employee volunteers from across ELBA's member companies have offered their time to assist charities to complete applications to the many funds that have emerged as a response to the current crisis. They are able to assist you with writing the application and/or reviewing a completed application. In some cases, they may be able to write a grant funding application on your behalf.

Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any questions, please contact Orlaith: orlaith.mcguinness@elba-1.org.uk