Come on in People Powered Places Newham

Come On In

Come On In is a new project designed to bring people together in Cundy Park through the arts. 

Through a programme of creative workshops and events, the project will bring artist-led experiences to the heart of the community. Activities will include dance workshops led by Sonia Sabri, Hip Hop and rap sessions, theatre, and music.

Beyond the performances, the aim is simple: to make the park feel alive, safe, and loved again. We want local residents — especially young people and families — to feel proud of the space, and to feel encouraged to use it as part of daily life.

This builds on Certain Blacks’ existing work in Newham, such as the Ensemble Festival Assistants Programme, which supports residents to develop skills and paid experience in the arts.

A highlight of the project will be The Kiosk— a relaxed installation where local stories are shared over coffee and cake. It will offer a space to talk, listen, and exchange memories of Custom House— a place to simply come on in.

WHO’S IT FOR

Come On In is for residents of Custom House and Canning Town.

Research from Health in Mind and Arts Council England shows that even small acts of creative participation can improve wellbeing — and that’s what we hope to foster here through weekend events and dance and craft workshops. 

WHY IT’S NEEDED

Through our outreach work in previous community projects such as The Big Manor Park Community Get Together, and ongoing collaborations with The Renewal Programme, Custom House Book Project, and Royal Docks Community Programme, residents consistently told us they want more cultural activity close to home.

Audience surveys from our Ensemble Festival in 2025 echoed the same message — people want to see art in local spaces and have more chances to get involved.

LOCAL PRIORITIES

Come On In supports key Newham Community Neighbourhood priorities, including:

Health and Wellbeing
Arts and movement have proven benefits for both body and mind. The dance workshops will promote healthy activity, while the events create a sense of joy and shared experience.

Community Safety
By animating Cundy Park with regular, friendly activity, we can help shift perceptions and make it feel safer and more welcoming.

Youth Empowerment
Workshops in dance, music, and spoken word will give young people creative outlets and a chance to express their ideas and stories in a positive space.

POSITIVE IMPACT

Cundy Park is currently underused and can feel uninviting. This project will help reclaim it as a shared, vibrant community space.

By hosting performances, workshops, and installations, we’ll create opportunities for connection, creativity, and wellbeing, while giving local people ownership over their public space.

Come On In also aims to strengthen community ties between residents and local businesses.

SUPPORTING LOCAL GROWTH

Working with local partners, including the Royal Docks Team, youth hubs, and local businesses, the project will help animate the local area and support its economic activity.

Certain Blacks’ annual Ensemble Festival employs local people as festival assistants who are paid the London Living wage, and by placing an aspect of the festival in the park, we can extend this work. The programme will engage with local traders to provide stalls for the festival events and support local economic growth

By developing Cundy Park as a community venue, we’ll also support Newham Council’s ambitions for safer, greener, and more active neighbourhoods.

These events will provide positive, local activities — particularly for young people who have limited access to creative opportunities nearby.

WHY US?

Certain Blacks is a locally based arts organisation. Founded by Clive Lyttle, a long-time Royal Docks resident, Certain Blacks has been producing festivals and arts programmes in Newham for over a decade.

Our team is experienced in community arts, event management, and artist development, and we work closely with partners across the borough to make creative projects accessible to everyone. We’ve delivered major events such as Ensemble Festival since 2019, and our intention is to include Cundy Park in future editions. 

Certain Blacks is also part of the Without Walls national network of outdoor arts commissioners, connecting our local work to a wider community of festivals and artists across the UK.

READY TO VOTE?

The People Powered Places’ Big Vote is launching on 1 November and runs until 30 November. Be part of deciding how £200,000 is spent in your neighbourhood by voting for the TEN of your favourite projects that matter most to you!

Here’s how you can take part:

✅Join your local Big Vote event taking place throughout November. Click here to find your local event.

✅ Vote online on Newham CoCreate. This will be open from 1 November.

 ✅ Visit your local library or community centre – staff can help you vote.

 ✅ Join an outreach session – Visit your neighbourhood page to find out when these are. 

Your vote makes a difference, whether you’re passionate about green spaces, youth activities, arts events or something else.

Let’s make Come On In happen!

 Voting opens 1 November and closes 30 November.