Community-Led Organisations and Inclusive Growth in Tower Hamlets
About this Event
Borderlines is delighted to invite you to an afternoon of conversation, learning, celebration, and community.
Across Tower Hamlets, community-led organisations play a vital role in supporting residents, creating opportunities, strengthening social connections, and building more inclusive communities. This event is an opportunity to celebrate their achievements, share their stories, and explore how community-led approaches can contribute to a more inclusive future for the borough.
Bringing together community organizers, academics, practitioners, policymakers, funders, and local residents, the event will showcase the work of organisations including Oitij-jo and BritBangla, share findings from the Borderlines Inclusive Growth project, and create space for meaningful dialogue about the opportunities and challenges facing community-led organisations today.
The afternoon will begin with a community lunch, followed by keynote presentations from community organisations and director of Borderlines. We will then host a panel discussion featuring community leaders, academics, and key stakeholders, exploring the role of community action in fostering inclusive growth and discussing pathways for future collaboration and support.
The second half of the event will take a more interactive and celebratory form, with exhibitions, creative displays, workshops, and cultural activities. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with community projects, explore artwork and textile displays, take part in an embroidery workshop, experience a henna workshop led by Henna artist Razia Sultana, enjoy comedy performances by Shofa Miah, and connect with others working across the community sector.
Whether you are involved in community organising, research, policy, funding, or simply interested in the future of Tower Hamlets, we warmly invite you to join us for an afternoon of discussion, creativity, and connection.
Event Programme
12:30pm – Welcome community lunch
An opportunity to meet, connect, and network with fellow participants.
Welcome remarks by Dr. Mayra Ruiz-Castro, Borderlines Director, Senior Lecturer at QMUL
Lunch prepared by Oitij-jo kitchen
1:30pm – Keynotes from the visioneers
Maher Anjum, Oitij-jo, Co-founder; Taryn Khanam BEM, BritBangla, CEO
2:15pm – The nature and impact of community-Led organisations in East London: Insights from Oitij-jo and BritBangla
Dr. Mayra Ruiz-Castro, Borderlines Director, Senior Lecturer at QMUL; Dr. Jinjing Fu, Borderlines Member, Lecturer at QMUL; Bente Fatema, Borderlines Coordinator, Doctoral Student at QMUL
2:15pm – Panel discussion: Supporting community-led organisations for situated understandings of “Inclusive Growth”
A conversation between community leaders, academics, and stakeholders exploring the role of community-led organisations in fostering inclusive growth and shaping future practice and policy.
Panellists: Anne-Marie Payne, Engagement Lead, Republic London; Hellen Gutierrez Farquhar, PhD Candidate, QMUL; Sarah Gifford, Civic Engagement Lead, QMUL; Chair: Dr. S M A Moin, Reader in Storytelling and Brand Communications, QMUL
3:00pm – Small group discussion: From insight to Action: What can we commit to?
3:30pm – 6:30 pm – Exhibitions, workshops, and cultural activities
- Interactive henna workshop with Henna artist Razia Sultana
- Embroidery workshop with community facilitators
- Comedy performance by Shofa Miah
- Textile, artwork, and community exhibitions
- Networking and informal conversations
Bursaries available
We are committed to making this event as accessible as possible.
A limited number of bursaries are available for participants who may require financial support to attend, including assistance with:
- Travel costs (within London)
- Childcare expenses
- Compensation for time away from work
- Other reasonable participation-related costs
Please send an email to Bente Fatema, Borderlines Coordinator, at [email protected], by July 6th, explaining your request for support. Requests are assessed on individual circumstances, treated in confidence, and subject to available funding.
Venue
The common room
Republic London
2 Clove Crescent
London E14 2BE
Getting there
Republic London is easily accessible by public transport and is located directly next to East India DLR Station.
- East India DLR Station – 1 minute walk
- Bank Station – approximately 13 minutes (DLR and Northern Line)
- Canning Town Station – approximately 2 minutes (DLR)
- Bond Street Station – approximately 40 minutes (DLR and Jubilee Line)
Google map location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tyB3UcBQnyNfXL6u6
This project is funded by the Centre for Public Engagement, Queen Mary University of London.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
