A family affair: lighting up the docks

By Habiba Begum, Community Development Project Manager, ELBA

During this summer’s school holiday, the ELBA Community team organised the first family team challenge of the year with Standard Chartered and community partner Art in the Docks.

Art in the Docks is a community arts organisation embedded in the Royal Docks area of east London. Amongst other things, it organises an annual Community Parade, a public event where Newham residents and families carry windsock puppets, or lanterns, and craft hats and accessories that represent their unique identity and heritage. Last year’s event used the motif of a shoal of fish to represent how we can retain our individuality, yet still be part of a bigger cohesive group. In preparation for this year’s event, Standard Chartered volunteers and their families came together to support Art in the Docks by creating more wonderfully colourful lanterns.

This intergenerational team challenge saw volunteers of all ages form a production line that involved making, painting and decorating the lanterns. Ahead of the parade, local children will add their personal finishing touches to make each lantern their own.

Art in the Docks reported that the 2024 parade had approximately three hundred residents from the Royal Docks area, celebrating the spirit of community and individuality at their parade. Art in the Docks are becoming the fastest growing community organisation in Newham and with the generous support of our corporate volunteering from Standard Chartered, the community parade will be filled with beautiful lanterns.

ELBA is excited to support corporate supporters and community partners alike with family volunteer days. If you would like to find out more about team challenges, please reach out to [email protected]

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