Making connections

Women sitting at a wooden table in a bright, sunny restaurant, making paper crafts with green paper, surrounded by plants and vibrant pink and yellow flowers overhead.

Bringing people together through creativity.

The Oakum’s community activities offer welcoming spaces to share skills, give materials a new life and connect with others, one handmade project at a time.

MAKE, LEARN & CONNECT

SOMETHING CREATIVE IS COMING TO YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Be part of it →

Projects that bring us together

From collaborative textiles to creative activities in neighbourhood spaces, our community projects celebrate shared experiences, local identities and the joy of making something together.

Each project grows through collaboration with residents, community groups and local organisations.

Get Involved →
A hand pinning fabric pieces onto a quilt with colorful segments and decorative stitching, on a wooden surface. 
LEYTONSTONE

Leytonstone Community Quilt

With funding now confirmed, residents of all ages will be invited to contribute fabric pieces, helping create a quilt that reflects our neighbourhood.
Free to take part, with materials and guidance provided.

Provisional dates

- 01.11.2026
- 15.11.2026
- 29.11.2026
- 13.12.2026
- 17.01.2027
- 31.01.2027
- 14.02.2027
- 28.02.2027

Provisional time

10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Location

Venues to be confirmed

Register your interest →
A collection of 12 quilt blocks arranged in a 4x3 grid, each with different fabric patterns and colors. 
LEYTONSTONE

Threads of Wellness

A series of creative textile workshops for adults at Langthorne Park Pavilion. The programme will offer time to learn practical skills, explore reclaimed fabrics and connect with others through making.

Materials and tools provided. Beginners welcome.

Provisional dates

- 07.11.2026
- 21.11.2026
- 05.12.2026
- 19.12.2026

Time

10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Location

Langthorne Park Pavilion

Register your interest →

More than making

Making together is about more than learning a new skill. It's an opportunity to connect with others, share experiences and discover what we can create together.

Through accessible, hands-on activities, The Oakum brings people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities together in welcoming spaces where everyone has something to contribute.

Working with reclaimed materials, we encourage creativity, resourcefulness and a more thoughtful approach to what we use and value.

  • Bringing people together through shared creative experiences.

  • Creating welcoming opportunities to learn, contribute and belong.

  • Exploring the creative potential of reclaimed materials.

Get Involved →
Person sewing small orange felt Christmas stockings with white felt accents at a wooden table, with sewing tools, scissors, and craft supplies scattered around. 
Moments of making together

Every workshop brings different people, ideas and experiences to the table. Here's a glimpse of the creative moments we've shared, the skills we've explored and the things we've made together.

Get Involved →
Creative reuse Exploring new possibilities with reclaimed textiles.
A small, red, felt fox plush toy wearing glasses, sitting on a wooden table. The background shows a bowl of salsa, a glass of water, and yellow scissors, with a person sitting at the table wearing a black and white patterned dress.
Making connections Sharing skills, stories and creativity around the table.
Decorative fabric flowers, a small green succulent, and a green succulent plant in a textured square pot on a pink fabric background.
Learning by doing Building confidence through practical, hands-on activities.
Made with care Celebrating individual ideas and the joy of creating something unique.
Person sewing orange felt fabric in a room with a wooden table, scissors, scissors, a glass of water, and crafting supplies.
A small fabric bag with a leather strap, decorated with a felt shamrock flower with pink stitched edges and a blue bead at the center, on a wooden surface.
Colorful circular craft projects with yarn borders and painted animal faces on cardboard, arranged on a wooden surface.
Colorful fabric braided lei on a wooden surface with a purple ribbon.

Let's create something together

Whether you're a local resident, community group, organisation or venue, we'd love to hear from you.

From one-off creative activities to longer-term community projects, we work with partners to develop inclusive, hands-on experiences that bring people together, encourage creativity and make thoughtful use of resources.

Have an idea, a space to share or a community you'd like to engage? Let's explore what we could create together.

Get involved →

  • Most of our funded community activities are free to attend. Some events may have a small participation fee, depending on the project and its funding. Any costs will always be clearly communicated before registration.

  • You can find upcoming activities and registration details on our Workshops page or through our Eventbrite listings. Some community projects are organised in partnership with local organisations and may have a separate registration process. We'll always explain how to join and whether booking is required.

  • It depends on the activity. Some workshops are standalone, while others form part of a series where participants develop a project over several sessions. We'll always explain the commitment involved before you sign up.

  • All essential materials and tools are normally provided. We often work with reclaimed materials, and you're welcome to bring your own when appropriate. Any specific requirements will be shared in advance.

  • Our community activities are designed to be welcoming and inclusive, with opportunities for beginners and people with different levels of experience. Most activities are aimed at adults, although some projects may also welcome children and families.

  • Some activities have specific eligibility requirements linked to funding, location, age or the intended community group. Others may have practical or safety restrictions. These will always be clearly stated in the activity description.

  • Not at all! Most activities are suitable for complete beginners, with demonstrations and guidance throughout. If a project requires particular skills, we'll let you know beforehand.

  • We aim to make our activities as accessible as possible. Please let us know about any access or support needs when enquiring so we can discuss suitable arrangements with you and the venue.

Let's connect

Have a community project in mind, interested in joining an initiative in development, or looking to explore a collaboration? Whether you'd like to participate, contribute ideas or work with us, we'd love to hear from you.