Community Celebrations on Hampstead Heath
Did you catch our Hampstead Heath Community Fun Day at the Parliament Hill Bandstand on Sunday 12th June? Read on to find out what we got up to and other recent community outreach work.
Carnival fun
Following a successful collaboration in 2021, we partnered with SeeThrough Theatre’s exuberant Carnivall project once more to bring the sights and soounds of Carnival to Hampstead Heath. The project works with people from local sheltered housing and daycare projects to prepare costumes and learn carnival dances, which culminated in a colourful inclusive celebration of the community and nature on tje Heath - check out the amazing dragonfly, bird and butterfly costumes!
Connections with nature
As part of our annual Fun Day, we took the opportunity to connect participants to nature, running bug hunts, a birdwatching stall with the BTO Youth Rep for London, nature crafts, wood carving and felting inspired by crafters producing a ‘wildlife in lockdown’ felted quilt.
This built on our ongoing work throughout the year, bringing community groups to the Heath for free nature and outdoor activities. We work with Hopscotch Women’s Centre and recently welcomed a group of Afghan refugee families for a day out on the Heath and were delighted members of the Umoja Health Forum built on their confidence from previous activities on the Heath to join us at our Community Fun Day.
We are also able to support those particularly at need to access our activities, recently welcoming a Ukrainian refugee onto our youth volunteering programme and starting a programme of regular practical outdoor sessions with Barnet Mencap.
Do get in touch if you would like to organise activities for your community group.
Nature art, connecting with the Heath
Wildlife felted quilt by Camden Community Makers
Learning about the Heath’s wildlife
Wood Carving with Crafting Shed
Music at the Bandstand
Kicking off the 2022 Parliament Hill Bandstand season, our Fun Day included performances by Caroline Chan of Mini Beat Music and the Young Music Makers Saturday music school - who both entertained the crowds!
Bandstand concerts will now be taking place throughout the summer, enabling the local community to come together on the Heath - full listings here.
The SeeThrough Theatre Carnivall group on Parliament Hill Fields
Thanks to our funders
Many thanks to our funders, the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge fund, the Postcode Society Trust for supporting our ongoing work with the community, and to Camden Council for supporting our Fun Day.
