February 2025 • Vision RCL

March is Women’s History Month, a time to honour the remarkable contributions women have made throughout history and celebrate their achievements in every sphere of life.

Why Women’s History Month Matters

Women’s History Month is an important moment for us to reflect on the progress made toward gender equality, celebrate the women who have shaped our past, and ignite a vision for a more equitable future. It’s not only a time to acknowledge how far we’ve come but also to recognise the challenges still ahead. Women have always been at the forefront of social change, yet many barriers remain. By coming together and celebrating their impact, we can foster a more inclusive world.

At Vision we are thrilled to host a series of events throughout the month to celebrate the strength, resilience, and diversity of women in our community and beyond.

International Women’s Day: Saturday 8 March

International Women’s day is a powerful reminder of the social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments of women. However, it is also a rallying cry for action, urging us all to work together towards accelerating gender equality in every aspect of life.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is “Accelerate Action”, and this is a call to quicken the pace of progress towards gender parity. There will be activities throughout the day so keep an eye on our dedicated webpage for more information on how you can take part.

International Women’s Week: Sunday 2 to Friday 7 March

To celebrate International Women’s Week Redbridge Drama Centre will be hosting a number of performances centred, directed or written by women which range from comedy shows to classics. Find a show that suits you and book your ticket today.

Get Involved

Join us this March and take part in events celebrating women’s achievements, empowering women and young girls, and driving forward the movement for gender equality. Other events include book chats, exhibitions, drop-in crafts and much more.

Together, we can build a future where equality isn’t just a goal but a reality for everyone.

For a full listing of events and activities visit our website

This February half-term, there’s no shortage of exciting activities for kids across Redbridge – from theatrical performances to hands-on workshops and outdoor adventures, whether you’re a young creative, performer or adventurer, there’s something for everyone!

Take to the stage at Redbridge Drama Centre

Redbridge Drama centre is hosting must-see shows this February half-term, perfect for the whole family. Get ready for a roar-some adventure and jump back in time with the Dinosaur Time warp, (showing on Monday 17 February), or if you fancy something a little more classic why not join two sisters as they embark on a magical adventure with Snow White and Rose Red (showing on Saturday 21 February).

If you’re someone who loves to get creative and wants to take to the big stage there are still spaces left for our Holiday Workshops at Redbridge Drama Centre. Sing, dance, and perform your way through the worlds of Moana, The Little Mermaid, and Finding Nemo. Students will enjoy a musical journey culminating in a performance full of fun and laughter.

Get Sporty this February

If your kids want to get active and try something new, Vision is hosting a variety of exciting sports courses this February, from cycling, with classes available for those wishing to learn how to ride, or wanting to develop their skills, Redbridge Cycling Centre has something for every bike enthusiast this half term, to swimming fun at Fullwell Cross, Loxford, and Mayfield leisure centres where you can give your child the chance to improve or learn new swimming skills during half term. Spaces for our sports courses are limited and go fast, so make sure you book your spot now to secure your place.

Creative and Literary fun at Redbridge Libraries

There’s a wide variety of workshops and events at your local library! Whether your child wants to design a video game (Monday 17 February), invent something to save the day (Monday 17 February), or get lost in the world of Oscar Wilde’s short stories in an interactive story session with Cat & Hutch (Friday 21 February), Redbridge Libraries offer something for every young mind. Libraries are also hosting author events where you can meet the author behind spectacular stories including Out of the Blue by Robert Tregoning (Wednesday 19 February) and My Mummies Built a Treehouse with Gareth Peter (Thursday 20 February), so make sure you visit your local Redbridge Library this half term and don’t miss out on this great opportunity.

For a more relaxed and creative experience, enjoy free and drop-in events like kindness card-making, origami workshops, and movie nights where children can get creative or sit back and enjoy a movie.

Nature Activities at Hainault Forest

Encourage your kids to enjoy nature with activity sessions such as Crafting for Nature (Wednesday 19 February) and Forest Explorers (Tuesday 18 & Thursday 20 February, where they’ll build shelters and discover woodland survival skills.

With so many fantastic events across Redbridge, there’s no reason for your little ones to be bored this half-term! Whether they’re learning a new skill, enjoying a show at Redbridge Drama Centre, or exploring nature, these events are bound to make their half term more fun!

For a full listing of events this half term, and for more details on any of the activities and events this February visit our website.

As our largest and most popular leisure centre, Fullwell Cross has been serving the community for nearly 60 years, with over 6,000 uses each week. We’re committed to enhance and improve the quality of customer experience, which is why we are reinvesting in our flagship facility with a makeover.
Over the next few months, we’ll be making key improvements to elevate your overall experience including:

  • a fresh new look – redecoration to the foyer, spa, and gym areas for a more modern and welcoming feel
  • improved navigation – new signage to help you find your way with ease
  • better post-workout recovery – a brand-new range of refreshments from Nutrivend

There will be some disruption to classes over the next few weeks while we are making these improvements.

Starting this week:

Studio 2 Redecoration (12-14 February)
All Group Exercise classes taking place in Studio 2 during this time have been relocated to alternative studios or venues, find out more below:


All attendees will receive a new venue notification, please check the Vision app for more information.

We are aiming to have all works completed by April, watch this space more information will be announced soon.

Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure is proud to celebrate 20 years of LGBT+ History Month, an annual observance dedicated to honouring lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history, as well as the broader civil rights movements that have shaped equality and diversity in society.

A Month of Celebration and Reflection – Throughout February, Vision RCL will be hosting a vibrant programme of events, reinforcing its commitment to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and awareness in the Redbridge community. The theme for LGBT+ History Month 2025, Activism and Social Change, highlights the significant role LGBT+ individuals have played to help shape and create social change, advancing society for everyone.

Engaging Events and Partnerships – This year, Vision Libraries are collaborating with Redbridge Rainbow Community – an organisation dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals living, working, studying, or socialising in the borough – to present a diverse range of activities for all ages. We invite everyone to take part and celebrate this milestone with us!

Event Highlights

Laughable Comedy Evening
Award-winning Laugh-Able is back in February to celebrate LGBT+ History Month with an excellent lineup including Maria Bowden, Becky Jade, Ro Dodgson, Dian Cathal and Abigolah Schauman. Also featuring:

  • Amazing headliner Stephanie Laing (Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year Finalist 2015)
  • Guest MC Rabiah Coon (UK Pun Championship Finalist 2024/2025)

LGBT+ Themed Book Chat
Join our special book discussion featuring Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, or choose any LGBT+ History Month-appropriate book (under 200 pages) to share your thoughts and recommendations. Connect with fellow readers in an engaging online session on Tuesday 11 February.

Author Events & Storytelling for Families
As part of National Storytelling Week, Vision Libraries will host a range of exciting events during February half-term, including:

Redbridge Museum: Brilliant Badges
Children can take part in a fun, hands-on craft activity at Redbridge Museum, where they can create their own badges, t-shirt designs, and posters for Redbridge Pride 2025. The event also includes a guided tour of the museum’s latest exhibits, featuring LGBTQ+ historical artefacts, as well as an opportunity to share personal stories, find out more here.

Curated Reading Collection & Digital Library Access
The Redbridge Schools Library Service has put together a specially curated reading list featuring beloved authors such as Jacqueline Wilson, Bali Rai, and Malorie Blackman. These books are available for borrowing through Vision’s Virtual and physical libraries, offering members free access to thousands of books, audiobooks, and magazines.

Additionally, library members can explore Vision’s Kanopy streaming platform, which includes a curated collection of LGBTQ+ films, from critically acclaimed dramas to Hollywood blockbusters and independent cinema.

Join us in celebrating 20 years of LGBT+ History Month in Redbridge and take part in these fantastic events.

For more information, visit our dedicated LGBT+ History Month page.