Fun and Education For All The Family
Since 2009 Big Lottery has funded IROKO Family Edutainment project under its Family Learning Programme.
IROKO Family Edutainment Project used arts and crafts, storytelling, music, dance, clay modeling, tie and dye and batik making to enhance learning and interaction between parents, grandparents and children aged 5 – 16. It particularly targeted those in need of a different approach to learning or acquiring life skills in a fun, relaxed and a non-judgemental environment.
The four year project (2009 – 2013) led to exhibitions and showcases. A video of which can be viewed here.
Feedback from the Exhibitions and Showcases
“… IROKO have the perfect formula for an entertaining and educational activity.
My kids loved it.”
Parent
"We're very honoured to have been invited by IROKO Theatre Company, I hope that this company will grow."
Mayor of Barking & Dagenham, Hardial Singh Rai
"Valence Library is situated in one of our deprived areas. To say this event of tie dyeing was a success is an understatement. The event was so well attend it spilled out of the children’s area into the adult and older people’s areas. As team leader for this library I have been begging for their return. So come back and see us again Iroko everyone asking for you."
Dawn Riches, Valence Library
"IROKO is doing a wonderful job here, both of my boys really enjoyed it."
Parent
"It was such a great day for all the library members: families with children who came especially for Iroko event, students who were studying upstairs, elderly who came to borrow some books, people passing by and decided to pop in because they heard the sound of drums, children who wandered in the area and had nothing to do…. Everyone was welcome… no one excluded … And that is what makes this project special… unique …amazing…"
Angelica, Dagenham Library
"It's really difficult to find wvents where an adult and their child can enjoy themselves, especially when they are free, so thank you so much."
Parent
"At Valence the attendance for all sessions was very high; due to the nature of the project more dads attended the sessions. One of the mothers said she always wanted to try clay modelling with her children but did not feel confident to try it until she joined the Iroko programme."
Debbie Charlton
"It was free, local, and easly accessible. We had very positive feedback from everyone who attended. The big Showcase finale at Valance Library made this project an even bigger success. Overall, the most significant achievement has been in respect of families learning together... some of the participants never worked/explored with materials provided such as air drying clay, dyes, drums, etc. It really helped parents to boost their confidence in educating their children through art and vibrant and colourful African culture."
Angelica Gedviliene
To find out more about the project, please download the PDF file.
A project which explored four Nigerian pre-colonial nonverbal communication systems: Aroko, Nsibidi, Uli and the Talking Drums, made possible by money raised by National Lottery players awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).
Enhancing skills and wellbeing of older people through fun and gentle creative arts activities
Promoting social action and/volunteering through inter-generational encounter that enhances mental well-being
A project that used fun and creative means to enhance the practical English speaking skills of refugees/new migrants in Newham London, was funded by People’s Postcode Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
A project supporting homeless and vulnerably housed people in the London Borough of Newham, using creative arts activities.
A family bonding project supported through funding from People’s Health Trust using money raised by HealthLives through The Health Lottery.
Connecting cultures through stories, objects and artefacts
Supported through funding from Aspers Good Causes Fund, provides opportunities for the development of skills of London Borough of Newham young people and their parents.
Encouraging discovery and sharing of oral stories!
'The Royal Docks Stories’ funded by The Royal Docks Trust, aims to uncover interesting people, stories and experiences about the Royal Docks area.
Discovering the history and contributions of Africans in and around Canning Town since the 1920's.
The Homage to Canning Town African Ancestors project explored the areas in and around Canning Town that have historical links with Africa.
The Forgotten Folks project was funded by Comic Relief. It incorporated fun workshops that used elements of African arts and culture to break down the social isolation and health problems usually faced by elderly people.
A Heritage Lottery Funded Project
IYE AJA means Umbilical Cord in the Itsekiri language of Nigeria. This project, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, aims to highlight and celebrate the ingenuity of Diaspora Africans in managing to retain an active commitment to their customs and values.
A Heritage Lottery Funded Project
A project to explore the Oral history behind the artefacts in the British Museum's Sainsbury's African Gallery.