Events And Activities Archive • Page 18 of 145 • Vision RCL

Redbridge Adult Theatre Group Presents… THE REAL ESTATE


A sharply observed, epic play combining elements of social realism and satire, which asks: who do our homes really belong to, and who gets to tell our stories?


A tower block in central London is bought by private developers. Their plan is to raise rents, forcing the current tenants out.


But the residents won’t give up their homes that easily. Recruiting the help of a film crew already shooting on the estate, they take on big business – and come face to face with their history in the process.


(prices include £1.50 Theatre Maintenance Levy)

Join us for “Notes of Gratitude” – a relaxing and meaningful postcard decorating workshop.

In this session, you’ll decorate your own personalised postcard to express either:

● Gratitude toward someone meaningful in your life, or

● Positive affirmations and self-love for yourself

You can use words, poems, or simple notes to reflect on empowering qualities—whether it’s kindness, strength, joy, or something unique to you.

We’ll have collage materials, pens, and plenty of creative inspiration ready for you to explore and enjoy.

This workshop is suitable for adults and families – all welcome!

No artistic experience needed—just come along, get creative, and connect with yourself and others in a calm and welcoming space.

Award-winning Laugh-Able continues their wonderful summer of stand-up with another fantastic group of up-and-coming comedians with disabilities and mental health conditions.

Acts Include:
Kate Harrison

Stephen Portlock

Desmond Feehily

Gabby Roles

Your host for the evening is the award-winning Mark Nicholas — West End Comedian of the Year Semi-Finalist 2022 and ND Review Disability Champion 2023.

“Impressively Skilled” (The Scotsman)
“Mark’s one of the best new acts on the circuit, check him out before he’s famous!” (Joe Wells)
“Laughed my F**kin A** Off” (Desiree Birch, The Mash Report)

And Of Course,  Winner of the Funny Women Of The Year Award 2024 Kate Cheka!

“Charismatic, eloquent, frank and witty…an impressive debut for a bright comic.” Chortle 
“Witty and charming…the audience are quickly drawn into Kate’s world” The List 
“She’s unstoppable. Her enthusiastic delivery cracks along at such a pace that you wonder whether she’s remembering to breathe.” The Skinny
“So warm and totally herself, with so much to love!” LMAOnaise “A powerful debut run from this humdinger of a show.” Funny Women

Pay What You Can
BYOB + snacks
Tea, coffee & biscuits in the break
Prizes for the best audience input!

Wheelchair accessible, hearing loops available, assistance dogs welcome. 18+

A year in the life of Valentines Park, captured by local artist Andrew Wright.  This intriguing display features a kaleidoscopic image for each day, Creepy CrawLies emerging from items gathered and a trio of trees. 

Using a variety of traditional and contemporary image making processes, the artist entices and challenges the viewer to observe, explore and decipher his various creations – but be aware, all is not as it might seem at first glance. 

Meet the artist on Sundays & Mondays during the exhibition (excluding 12th May).

Every year, people across the UK come together for Dying Matters Awareness Week, a time dedicated to encouraging open conversations about death and dying in whatever way, shape, or form works best for them. The mission of Dying Matters is to dismantle the stigma and taboo surrounding these important topics.

Join us for a thoughtful and creative activity, where we’ll reflect on how death touches each of us—and how opening up about it can bring comfort, connection, and clarity.

Together, we’ll be creating a large community poster—a living artwork that invites you to share your reflections through:

● Drawing

● Collage

● Writing

You’re welcome to contribute in any way that feels meaningful to you. This might include:

● A memory of a loved one

● A song or piece of music you’d want played at your funeral – your inheritance track

● A book that has special memories for you

● Something/s you want to achieve or do before you die – your bucket list

● A place you’d want to be at the end of life

● Or people you’d want by your side

This is a safe, supportive space where there’s no right or wrong way to express yourself. Whether you come to create, to share, or simply to be present—you are warmly welcome.

Please note that this is a supportive creative activity and not designed to be a counselling session.

Let’s come together to break the silence and explore why dying matters.

No artistic experience or booking needed – just bring yourself!

You can find information about our Death Positive Library service and activities such as Grief Cafes, Day of the Dead Festival and Tickets for the Afterlife Quiz on our website, where you will also find useful book/support lists: https://visionrcl.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-2/the-death-positive-library/

Expect the unexpected as Robin Ince – popular comedian, author and co-host of Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage – takes us on a tour of his latest book, ‘Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal’.

In Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal, Robin explores life through the lens of his late-stage ADHD diagnosis, delving into neurodivergence, anxiety, and the joyful oddities of being human. Expect book chat, personal stories, and maybe even a little poetry along the way!

A perfect afternoon for anyone who loves books, ideas, and seeing the world a little differently.

About ‘Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal’

What if being a bit weird is actually entirely normal? What if sharing our internal struggles wasn’t a sign of weakness, but strength?

For over thirty years, award-winning broadcaster and comedian Robin Ince has entertained thousands in person and on air. But underneath the surface, a whirlwind was at play – a struggle with sadness, concentration, self-doubt and near-constant anxiety. But then he was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of fifty-two, and it all started to make sense.

In ‘Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal’, Robin uses his own experiences to explore the neurodivergent experience and to ask what the point of “being normal” really is. Packed with personal insights, intimate anecdotes and interviews with psychologists, neuroscientists and many neurodivergent people he has met along the way, this is a quirky and witty dive into the world of human behaviour.

A powerful, personal exploration of anxiety, ADHD and self-acceptance, ‘Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal’ reminds us all – no matter how weird we feel – that it’s okay to be a little different. We all are.

About Robin Ince

Robin Ince is many things. A comedian, an author, a broadcaster and a populariser of scientific ideas.

He is probably best known as the co-host of the Sony Gold Award-winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage with Professor Brian Cox. As a stand-up, Robin has toured the world, and as an author, he has written four acclaimed books, including Bibliomaniac, which earned him the prestigious Booksellers Association Author of the Year award. His fifth book, ‘Normally Weird and Weirdly Normal’, is published in May 2025.

Robin co-created the Cosmic Shambles Network and created the groundbreaking science variety night Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People which has been adapted worldwide.

He has created, curated, pioneered and hosted numerous nights mixing science, music and comedy at some of the most celebrated venues around the world, from the Hammersmith Apollo and the Royal Albert Hall in London to the Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto and The Opera House in Wellington.

Robin has received an Honorary Fellowship of UCL, an honorary doctorate from Royal Holloway College (University of London) and is a fellow of the British Science Association.

Wanstead Library – Churchill Room
Tuesday, 13 May
3.30pm to 4.30pm
Free, but please book via the link.

This talk is suitable for ages 18+

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided at this event, and you are welcome to bring your own snacks.

Please add your name to the waiting list if the event is sold out!

Looking for a way to feel more confident, improve your fitness and find a moment of calm? Join our “Tai Chi for Women Classes”, designed to help you build self-esteem, reduce stress, and gently improve your overall health.

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi is a graceful, low-impact exercise that blends martial arts with meditation. Often called “meditation in motion”, it involves gentle movements, controlled breathing, and mindfulness. Originating in ancient China, Tai Chi is now widely practised for its physical and mental health benefits.

How Can Tai Chi Help You?

Tai Chi is known to:
✅ Improve balance & coordination
✅ Relieve stress & anxiety
✅ Enhance brain function & memory
✅ Lower blood pressure & support heart health
✅ Manage pain & gently strengthen muscles

Research suggests that Tai Chi may also help with menopausal symptoms such as mood swings, bone health, and sleep issues. 

Who Can Join?

This course is open to women and girls aged 18+ who live, work, or study in Redbridge.

Course Details

📍 Location: Redbridge Central Library
📅 Dates: Saturdays, 10 May – 12 July 2025 (10 sessions)
⏰ Time: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm (with time for a cuppa & chat after!)
💷 Cost: £3 per session (£30 total) – payable in one or two instalments

⚠️ Payment is required in advance. As places are subsidised, any refunds for non-attendance will be made at the discretion of the organisers.

How to Book

Booking is via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tai-chi-for-women-classes-boost-your-confidence-fitness-wellbeing-tickets-1330781365889

To secure your place, pay £3 when booking via Eventbrite. This is for the first class. The remaining balance (£27) is due at the first session – you can pay in either one or two instalments. You’ll also need to complete a short registration form on your first day.

Meet Your Instructor – Sam Leon

Sam has been practising Wu-style Tai Chi Chuan since 2008 and began teaching in 2013 under the guidance of Sifu Gary Wragg. With experience leading Tai Chi for a wide range of community needs, Sam recently taught our Tai Chi for Women sessions at Redbridge Central Library and the Tai Chi Taster Session during Women’s History  Month. We’re thrilled to have him back!

Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive full details for attending the first session on Saturday, 10 May.

Join us and experience the calm, strength, and balance that Tai Chi can bring to your life!

If you have any questions, please email us at  library.information@visionrcl.org.uk.

Join us for a British Sign Language (BSL) information session about the NHS App. This session will explain how the app works and how you can use it to access NHS services easily.

Bring your NHS number, email address and your phone or tablet to get help setting up your NHS App.

What to Expect:
✅ Introduction to the session
✅ Screening of a short, captioned video explaining the NHS App’s features
✅ Additional videos with BSL and captions on providing ID for the app
✅ One-to-one support to help install the app and answer any questions

This session is designed to be accessible and informative. If you have any specific needs, please let us know in advance.

The session is provided in partnership with HealthWatch and is suitable for BSL users aged 13+ registered with a GP.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

The Our Streets team join us for a FREE Under 5’s Event to celebrate our little ones. They will be offering a special story during our regular rhyme time as part of Reusable Nappies Week.

No need to book, just turn up.

Stories and rhymes will take place from 10.30am-11am as usual.

Plus, at the event you can learn about:

  • The cost and environmental benefits of our reusable nappy trial pack (worth over £35) that you can apply for £5 to residents with children under 18 month and view a live demonstration.
  • The different development stages of your child and how their brain develops so that you can read behaviours, tune into their needs, and help you recognise when your child is ready to start potty training through the Solihull Approach, which is an evidence based not-for profit NHS service for parents that supports the journey of parenthood. Visit www.inourplace.co.uk and use the code BRIDGE to access the courses for free.
  • Find out and learn more about Healthy Start – are you eligible?. The Healthy Start Scheme can help you buy healthy food, milk, and formula if you have children under 4.
  • FREE Oral health education, advice, information and training for all from the Oral Health Promotion Service including, how to look after your child’s first teeth and prevent tooth decay, Bottle/Dummy advice, Diet advice, Tooth Brushing advice (overcome challenges) and How to find a Dentist
  • Learn about Redbridge – Our Streets projects that you can get involved with.
  • Hear from Redbridge’s very own Selina Flows, a newly launched initiative focused on sustainable and skin-friendly period care.

The Our Streets Team will also be giving away a limited number of free reusable nappy trial packs to residents that bring all of the following documentation:

1. Photo proof that you are a Redbridge resident (council tax bill, utility bill or driving license)

2. Photo proof that you are pregnant or have a baby under 18 months old (MATB1 form, birth certificate)

3. Full name and address of parent or carer applying

We look forward to seeing you there. Get in touch with the team if you have any questions on ourneighbourhood@redbridge.gov.uk