Fall inside The Magic Sweet Jar! 🍭 🍬 🍫
Join us for a special free preview and experience The Magic Sweet Jar.
The Magic Sweet Jar is a play for children aged 6-11 about a young girl who falls through a portal into a world made entirely of sweets. Filled with live music, puppets, homemade masks, and interactive storytelling, audiences are encouraged to help bring the story to life.
But underneath the fantasy is a story about grief, feelings, and learning that there is strength in softness.
Created with support from @marlowetheatre , this imaginative new family show transforms simple objects into vast magical worlds right in front of your eyes. No screens, no high-tech wizardry, just imagination and play.
Join us for the laughter, wonder, and music, with a story children will carry home with them long after the show ends.
This special preview is a chance to experience The Magic Sweet Jar before its planned national tour in 2027.
Where: Hackney Central Library @hackneylibraries
When: 13 June 2:30 PM
🎫 book your free place at the link in bio!
Flyer made w/help from @l_adhd_
#hackney #families #londonkids #theatreforkids #theatreforyoungaudiences
A young author.
A library.
A Michael Jackson soundtrack.
And a journey back in time… ✨📚
This clip takes us back to the magic of The Children’s Black Book Fair UK 2025
The laughter, the dancing, the stories, the community and we “Remember The Time” when we spent unforgettable moments with Literature Legend Eric Huntley and Rastamouse creator Michael De Souza.
This year… we’re going even BIGGER.
✨ More young authors
✨ More Black storytellers
✨ Black books coming to life
✨ Spectacular seminars
✨ Free books
✨ Free Goodie bags
This is more than a book fair.
It’s a chance to fall in love with books all over again.
And the best part?
It’s completely FREE.
Follow us for ticket updates. 🎟️
The Children’s Black Book Fair UK 2026
Saturday 22nd August 2026
📍 CLR James Library, Dalston Square, Hackney, E8
“We Belong In Every Story.”
See Us. Hear Us. Read Us.
🎥 Video: @Cristina.Cabral_Official
🎬 Edit: @mlxdigitaluk
Please note: We do not own the rights to this music.
“Remember The Time” — Michael Jackson
You are warmly invited to join us this Saturday 9th May, 1-3pm for a free creative writing workshop led/curated by the amazing poet, activist & educator @pjsamuelspoet
This workshop (for QTIBIPOC) is a hybrid event which you can attend in person at Clapton Library, London E5 or you have the option of joining via Zoom.
A mix of creative prompts and mindfulness will be offered. A moment to pause, reflect and create. Come to enjoy the ambience of being in community.
It is suitable for writers at any level and non-writers wishing to engage creatively.
It will be held as gentle space of invitation and relaxation and finding your own level of participation, no judgement, no pressure.
Free tickets on eventbrite
bit.ly/ShadedTickets
EVERY 2nd SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
***
Saturday 9th May
1-3pm
Hybrid event
IN PERSON:
Clapton Library
Northwold Rd
London E5 8RA
Or ONLINE:
via Zoom (link will be sent when you sign up)
***
tickets for in person & online are both available via this eventbrite link
bit.ly/ShadedTickets
***
🎨 Free Artist Talk
📍 Homerton Library
🗓️ Tuesday 21 April 2026 11am-12.30pm
Join Hackney u3a and Hackney Libraries for a talk by audiovisual artist Jonathan Hogg. Find out about his creativity and fascinating processes, and have a go at making something!
Thinking about quitting but not sure where to start? 💭
Just drop in for friendly advice, free quit aids, and support that works at your pace
We’re at Shoreditch Library every Monday, 1–3pm - everyone welcome
🚨VCH is coming to your local area!🚨
Come and meet Volunteer Centre Hackney at Hackney Central Library tomorrow to find out about the amazing volunteering opportunities available in your community.
📅 Weds 15th April
🕙 10:30 - 12:00
📍 Hackney Central Library, E8 1GQ
#vchackney #volunteerhackney #hackney #volunteer
ADHD Workshop
Join us for an open, honest and supportive space to explore ADHD together.
📅 7th May
🕠 5:30PM
📍 CLR James Library
Whether you have ADHD, think you might, or just want to learn more this space is for you.
Expect real conversations, practical tools, and connection with community.
A safe, relaxed, judgement-free environment just come as you are.
🎟️ Limited spaces book via link in bio
#queertopiaconsortium #ADHD #Neurodiversity #Hackney #Dalston LGBTQIA Community SafeSpaces
Sling Clinic + Cloth Nappy Demo April 17th Hackney Central library
Esther and I are looking forward to seeing you at our monthly session!
Here’s the schedule:
CLOTH NAPPY DEMO 10AM
Esther from @hackneynappynetwork will tell you everything you need to know about cloth nappies. All welcome!
The talk will start at 10am and last approx. 40 mins and will cover:
-the different kinds of reusable nappies
-the newborn stage
-washing guidance
-other local nappy initiatives.
-troubleshooting.
SLING CLINIC 11AM
Following that, I will offer a sling clinic whereby you can come for a fit check with your own sling. Here’s how I can help:
– Show you how to do a front, hip or facing out carry (I do not show back carries to beginners unless you have already tried and need a bit of troubleshooting)
– Explain safety and positioning
– Check if your sling fits you and your baby well and suggest adjustments if needed
– Show how to feed in your sling
– Answer your questions or address your worries
You must come with your own for this sling clinic OR if you want to try 1-2 particular slings, we can arrange that but we need to decide on which sling you want to try out before the sling clinic as it’s a short and BUSY session.
If you want to try lots other slings, you will need to book an appt at the Bethnal Green sling library instead.
Fit checks are 10mins per person, no more, so I can help everybody 🙂
You might be grouped up with other people if you all need to same kind of support.
If I can’t improve the fit of your sling or we find that it isn’t safe, I will suggest either booking an appt at the Bethnal Green sling library or hiring one of the sling I bring with me if possible, fees apply.
PLEASE REGISTER by contacting me ahead of the clinic so I know that you are coming and what sling you have/want to try out. The clinic gets very busy so you must register before coming.
The sling clinic is by donation to the sling library via my ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ link to help support the sling library (link in bio or QR code to scan to donate on the day). I am not funded, thank you ❤️
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Love, Mel and Esther the power couple 🥰
You are warmly invited to join us this Saturday 11th April, 1-3pm for a free creative writing workshop led/curated by the amazing poet, activist & educator @pjsamuelspoet
This workshop (for QTIBIPOC) is a hybrid event which you can attend in person at Clapton Library, London E5 or you have the option of joining via Zoom.
A mix of creative prompts and mindfulness will be offered. A moment to pause, reflect and create. Come to enjoy the ambience of being in community.
It is suitable for writers at any level and non-writers wishing to engage creatively.
It will be held as gentle space of invitation and relaxation and finding your own level of participation, no judgement, no pressure.
Free tickets on eventbrite
bit.ly/ShadedTickets
EVERY 2nd SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
(please share this event with anyone you feel might want to join)
***
Saturday 11th April
1-3pm
Hybrid event
IN PERSON:
Clapton Library
Northwold Rd
London E5 8RA
Or ONLINE:
via Zoom (link will be sent when you sign up)
***
tickets for in person & online are both available via this eventbrite link
bit.ly/ShadedTickets
***
📣 OPEN CALL
🫵 Applications are open for a Hackney-based artist aged 18-26 to create the key visual for the 2026 Discover Young Hackney programme.
🎨 The selected artist will design the main artwork used to promote the programme across posters, digital platforms and social media.
💰 Commission Fee: £1k
⏰ Deadline: 12pm on Friday 17 April
✍️ For more info & to apply, head to /discover-young-hackney
📸 by @honeybunnphotog via @progressionsessionsuk
🔥 Discover Young Hackney grant scheme is back for 2026!
🫵 We’re inviting organisations based in or working in Hackney to apply for funding to deliver free or low-cost creative activities for young people aged 15-26 during the summer holidays.
💰 Apply for up to £4k
⏰ Deadline to apply: 11.59pm on Tuesday 21 April
👉 For more information and to apply visit /discover-young-hackney
📸 by @honeybunnphotog via @progressionsessionsuk
We love these official photos from the Hackney launch of the Imagination Library!
Children under five in Hackney can now receive a free book every month, posted through their door and addressed just to them.
📸 @janninenewman
#ImaginationLibrary #Hackney #LoveReading #EarlyYears #BooksForChildren
