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Join us for an inspiring celebration of the Community Sparks programme and the community-led projects making a difference across Poplar. This special event will showcase the 14 projects funded through the Community Sparks grant programme, with project leaders sharing their journeys, achievements and learning. The event will also include a presentation on how Community Sparks started, highlighting the wider vision of strengthening resident-led action and community connections across Tower Hamlets. There will be opportunities to engage with local community groups, take part in a Q&amp;A, hear about future ideas, and find out how to get involved in projects and activities continuing beyond the programme. Whether you want to connect with others locally, learn more about activities and support available in the community, volunteer, share your ideas, or simply celebrate the amazing work happening across Poplar, we would love for you to join us. The event will take place at the Republic Education Campus in the Auditorium, a bright and welcoming space in the heart of Poplar.

Community Sparks Celebration and learning event

Republic Education Campus

<a href="https://thcvs.org.uk/nel-vcse-collaborative/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The </a><a href="https://thcvs.org.uk/nel-vcse-collaborative/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">NEL VCFSE Collaborative</a> is hosting an online webinar focused on the important role that faith and belief organisations play within health and care systems across North East London.&nbsp; This session will explore:&nbsp; <ul><li>The contribution of faith and belief groups to health and wellbeing,</li><li>How faith sector insights can inform health and care decision making,&nbsp;</li><li>How best to enable strategic collaboration across North East London.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;The webinar is open to voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations, faith leaders, community organisations and partners interested in improving collaboration and representation across North East London.&nbsp; Register to join the conversation and be a part of shaping how faith and community perspectives can be better reflected in health and care systems across North East London.&nbsp; Find out more about the NEL VCFSE Collaborative <a href="https://thcvs.org.uk/nel-vcse-collaborative/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.Subscribe to our updates <a href="https://app.plinth.org.uk/schema-form/wP5AIJ3zl4MSKFYhKuw0?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Tower Hamlets Council For Voluntary Service

Tower Hamlets CVS is dedicated to supporting the voluntary and community sector in Tower Hamlets. We provide funding opportunities, resources, and job vacancies to help local organisations thrive and make a positive impact in our community. Through our Neighbourhood Forum, Cornerstone, and Tower Hamlets Connection Network, we facilitate collaboration and networking among VCS organizations, enabling them to access support, share knowledge, and work together to address local challenges.

Our efforts have resulted in increased access to funding, resources, and job opportunities for VCS organisations in Tower Hamlets. We have also fostered a strong sense of community and collaboration, leading to impactful initiatives and projects that address the diverse needs of our local residents. Through our work, we aim to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of VCS organizations, ultimately contributing to the well-being and resilience of the community we serve.

UK Coaching Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop Date: Tuesday 2nd June 2026Time: 11:00am - 2:00pmLocation: Osmani Centre, 58 Underwood Road, London E1 5AW Join us for an interactive Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop, delivered by Kamilla Ovrevik (London Sport) in partnership with UK Coaching. This session will support participants to better understand how to safeguard children and young people in sport and physical activity settings. It will explore what good coaching practice looks like, how to recognise safeguarding concerns, and how to respond appropriately to ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people. Through practical examples, group discussions and interactive scenarios, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on real-life situations, share experiences, and build confidence in responding to safeguarding concerns. In this session you will learn:<ul><li>How to safeguard children and young people effectively</li><li>What good coaching practice looks like and how to apply it</li><li>How to recognise signs of abuse, lower-level concerns and poor practice</li><li>How to respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns</li><li>How and where to report concerns about children and young people</li></ul> Who should attend:This session is suitable for sports coaches, club leaders, committee members, welfare officers, fitness providers, safeguarding leads, and anyone working with children and young people in sport or physical activity settings.Delivered in partnership with UK Coaching, this workshop also provides 2 CIMSPA CPD points (valid for 12 months). Lunch will be provided. Please contact sheba.choudhury@thcvs.org.uk if you have any further enquiries.

UK Coaching Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshop

Join us for our second Hidden Voices in Research session focusing on children and&nbsp;young people and online harm including the impact of social media. Date:&nbsp;11 June 2026Time:&nbsp;10am-12pmLocation:&nbsp;Colette Bowe room, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Campus. About Hidden Voices in Research: Hidden Voices in Research brings together academic researchers, council staff and voluntary sector partners to share evidence, lived experience and frontline insights.&nbsp; This event will focus on how children and young people engage with social media.&nbsp; The online world offers countless opportunities for connection, creativity and learning, yet it can also amplify risks—from harmful content and misinformation to pressure, exclusion and exploitation.&nbsp; This session creates a space to hear the research with and about young people’s realities, bring to the surface what is working locally, and identify where gaps in knowledge and provision remain.&nbsp; By showcasing research and practice-based learning, we aim to strengthen shared understanding and inform better support, policy and services for children and young people. We will be joined by HDRC partner academics at UEL whose research includes:<ul><li>Child Online Harms Policy Think Tank -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uel.ac.uk/onlineharms" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.uel.ac.uk/onlineharms</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Information complexity in screen media and the developing brain&nbsp;(looking at how fast pacing impacts young brains)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.isey.org/projects" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.isey.org/projects</a></li><li>Other academic researchers - be confirmed&nbsp;</li><li>Voluntary and community sector organisations working with children and young people.</li></ul> Register to attend:We encourage attendance from local voluntary sector organisations working with young people, as well as HDRC partner colleagues from Queen Mary University of London, London Metropolitan University and University of East London - in particular those who are: Researchers devising and working on projects with young people and impact on development, attitudes, and behaviours<ul><li>MSc and PhD students involved in related research&nbsp;</li><li>council staff working on policy development for improving outcomes for children and young people</li><li>health services working with children and young people</li><li>voluntary sector services working with children and young people.</li></ul> For further information please contact alison.robert@thcvs.org.uk.” This event is delivered by Tower Hamlets&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/what-we-do/core-workstreams/working-with-partners/local-authorities/health-determinants-research-collaborations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 120, 215);">NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaboration</a>&nbsp;(HDRC) partners. About the HDRC:Tower Hamlets HDRC is a research partnership between the council, three local universities, and Tower Hamlets Council for Voluntary Services (THCVS). Our current research themes include:<ul><li>Keeping physically and mentally well</li><li>Crime and safety</li><li>Opportunities for residents</li><li>Economic security and support</li><li>Healthy homes.</li></ul> If you’d like to hear more about our work contact hdrc@towerhamlets.gov.uk, and sign up to our newsletter

Hidden Voices in Research - Children, young people and social media.

Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Campus

<a href="https://thcvs.org.uk/nel-vcse-collaborative/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The NEL VCFSE Collaborative</a> is hosting an introductory “About Us” webinar for local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations across North East London. This session will provide an overview of: <ul><li>Who the NEL VCFSE Collaborative is,</li><li>What we do and how we support the sector,</li><li>How organisations can engage with place-based and thematic representatives.</li></ul> The webinar is open to all local VCFSE organisations based in North East London interested in learning more about the Collaborative and how to get involved. Register to attend and learn more about the NEL VCFSE Collaborative and how you can connect with us. Find out more about us <a href="https://thcvs.org.uk/nel-vcse-collaborative/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.Subscribe to our updates <a href="https://app.plinth.org.uk/schema-form/wP5AIJ3zl4MSKFYhKuw0?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. Photographs by <a href="https://www.faithaction.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">FaithAction</a>.

Meet the NEL VCFSE Collaborative - Webinar

Annual General MeetingFollowing on from last year’s successful AGM, we have invited back senior council leaders Steve Halsey (CEO), David Joyce (Corporate Director of Housing&nbsp;and Regeneration)&nbsp;and, for the first time, Georgia Chimbani (Corporate Director of&nbsp;Health and&nbsp;Adult Social Care) to report back on areas such as premises, reward and recognition and ways of working. If you have questions for them please send them to Vicky Scott and we’ll try to make sure that a representative selection are asked: <a href="mailto:Vicky.scott@thcvs.org.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vicky.scott@thcvs.org.uk</a>&nbsp;Find out about our progress last year and members can vote for our new trustees. Afterwards there will be hot food and an opportunity to network informally. <a href="https://book.plinth.org.uk/e/iLTWuEIe5PnersxkiQkY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here</a> for the members pack, including 24/25 accounts, proxy voting form and candidate statements: <a href="https://thcvs.org.uk/agm-2026/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;">AGM 2025 – Tower Hamlets CVS</a>

Tower Hamlets CVS

VSCYF Forum – Inclusive Play &amp; Youth Spaces&nbsp; Join the Voluntary Sector Children &amp; Youth Forum (VSCYF) for an interactive session at The Brady Arts and Community Centre between 11:30am -13:00pm exploring how we can create more inclusive, welcoming and accessible play and youth spaces for children and young people across Tower Hamlets. Together we’ll discuss:• Why play matters for wellbeing and development• What gender-inclusive design means in practice• Barriers to participation and belonging• How spaces can become more inclusive, safe and welcoming for all young people The session will include:<ul><li>Spotlight presentations and shared learning</li><li>Interactive table discussions</li><li>Opportunities to identify challenges, good practice and practical solutions</li><li>Networking and partnership building</li></ul> Discussion themes will include:• Participation &amp; barriers• Designing inclusive spaces• Activities &amp; programming• Safety &amp; belonging We will also explore:<ul><li>&nbsp;What can organisations do differently?</li><li>What support is needed across the sector?</li><li>What partnerships and actions should be taken forward in Tower Hamlets?</li></ul> We welcome organisations working with children and young people, girls and young women, SEND communities, youth provision, sports, play and community wellbeing. Come and be part of the conversation shaping more inclusive play and youth spaces across the borough. For any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to sheba.choudhury@thcvs.org.uk.

Voluntary Sector Children and Youth Forum

Brady Arts & Community Centre

Young People and Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG)Date &amp; Time: 21/07/2026 10:30-13:00Location: In person at Whitechapel Town HallApplying:&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/e/CBZ8iP0QXa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: inherit;">Young People and Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) – Fill in form</a>&nbsp;(spaces are limited, sign up as soon as possible to not miss out) Overview:&nbsp;You will learn more about the dynamics of Violence Against Women &amp; Girls (VAWG) and how it affects young people particularly. We will be looking at the factors around current youth culture, including online presence, how young people may experience coercive control and we will explore the experience of peer on peer harms and the rising misogyny young people are experiencing.Topics covered:<ul><li class="ql-indent-1">To understand how gender-based violence affects young people</li><li class="ql-indent-1">To explore the barriers to disclosing abuse young people face</li><li class="ql-indent-1">To develop skills in appropriately responding to disclosures and supporting young people</li><li class="ql-indent-1">To understand the range of services in the borough and nationally</li></ul> For more information, contact sheba.choudhury@thcvs.org.uk.

Young People and Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG)