Past Programme

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Sunday School Stories | Programme: where we've been and what we've already achieved

We've already begun to share more arts & heritage to build stronger communities together.


Heritage Building Workshop Success and Feedback | Nov 2024 - May 2025

We’re proud to be breaking down barriers to arts & heritage with people from all walks of life at our current Sunday School Stories workshops, facilitated by Fullers Builders Ltd who are restoring and retrofitting our Sunday School Hall. We've captured the atmosphere of what's been going on with quotes from participants, and beautiful photos from creative volunteers, together sharing the immersive, hands-on, enriching celebration of heritage and community.

Photos by David Peach: Group standing with wooden structure within the Sunday School Hall, Woman drilling into wood, Woman measuring wood, man measuring wood

"It was inspiring to see creativity and craftsmanship come together for a meaningful purpose."
"An incredibly valuable experience, and we appreciate the opportunity to contribute through arts and creativity in such a hands-on way."
"Our group had a fantastic experience, and we loved seeing how practical skills can be used to empower and support communities."

Click here to see photos and hear from those who are getting involved here.

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TAG-A-TILE | Sep 2024

Around 250 Open Day visitors shared our chapel space in a free celebration of heritage, architecture, and music through guided tours, kids workshops, a stunning organ recital from the young students of our free education programme, and Tag-A-Tile that saw supporters leaving messages and drawings of inspiration on roof tiles, donated by Keymer Tiles, that will be installed into our Sunday School Hall roof.

Three lines of red roof tiles laying on stone ground, emblazoned with writing and drawings of hope, inspiration, and love from donors.

£276 was raised and the decorations ranged from from exquisite Union Chapel architecture sketches, messages of love to family members, inspirational quotes, drawings from kids of all ranges, and even outline of the youngest Open Day attendees's feet (pictured below)!

Image 1: Red roof tiles complete with writing and drawings made by sharpie, laying on a black table with purple sign stating 'Tag A Tile for Sunday School Stories' with Keymer Tiles logo. Image 2: Smiling family of 3 adults and one very young baby stood in Union Chapel holding a red roof tile complete with baby feet outlines drawn on it. Image 3: Smiling man holding red roof tile stating 'Think highly of yourself... think deeply of the world...' . Image 4: Four donors sat at the Tag A Tile black tables smiling to camera whilst making their sharpie marks on the red roof tiles.

 

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'Life is Wonderful: Mandela's Unsung Heroes' | Thursday 18 July 2024

With Anti-Apartheid Legacy and Union Chapel Church, we marked Mandela Day with a free screening of the award-winning documentary to a intercultural and intergenerational audience. Huge thanks to our partners, speakers, volunteers, and audience who came together after the film for an open discussion around human rights and the importance to pursue Mandela’s Vision: “A Rainbow nation at Peace with itself and the World"

"Our commitment is to use the arts as a tool for social transformation, a source to promote positive change while inspiring our communities in questioning our human history by merging creative collaborations” - Cristina, Sunday School Stories Participation Manager

Click here to learn more, read the thoughts of those who were there, and see photos of the day by Harry Chapman.

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ANTIQUE RESTORATION WORKSHOP | May 2024 

Under the guidance of conservator and facilitator Ethan Gallesio, five fantastic volunteers upskilled their heritage building skill to help sustainability, give new purpose to beautiful objects of the past, and bring together like-minded people as part of our community hub.

They learnt all about wooden furniture restoration, breathing new life into antique cabinets that will be part of our Sunday School Stories activities next year. Learn more about the skill-building and community spirit here alongside photos of the hard work and expert results plus beautiful sketches of the atmosphere captured by illustrator Florrie Ann Thomas.

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LONDON WELLBEING NETWORK | Capturing community voice | Apr 2024

We hosted Voluntary Action Islington alongside Islington residents and practitioners came together to add their voices to the community for collective action on local matters. Collaboration to co-deliver initiatives to tackle local inequalities, ensuring no one gets left behind.

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BUILDING A VICTORIAN STAGE | Jan 2024

Our creative community came together in our first #SundaySchoolStories Heritage Workshop to build a Victorian Stage recently rediscovered in our archive of hidden gems.

"The structure was not just a pile of old wood, it was a magical symbol of harmony that effortlessly joined us with itself in common purpose."

Photographers, fine artists, audio engineers, and filmmakers gathered alongside builders, joiners, and those wanting to get stuck in to heritage construction to take apart and rebuild this beautiful vintage piece, learning the intimate details and historic methods used in the Victorian era. 

Thanks to facilitators Triskele Building & Conservation and to all that participated by sharing craft and creativity in true community spirit.

See the beautiful photos and artwork, hear from the participants, and find out about the week of bustling activity here.