CoolTan Arts Community Legacy Walks – a unique perspective on the Olympic Boroughs

Arts and mental health charity CoolTan Arts are to deliver an exciting programme of high profile Community Legacy walks around East London, during and after the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

These free guided cultural walks, run by and for people with mental distress, will celebrate the legacy of London 2012 throughout the Olympic Boroughs, allowing local people to rediscover their local area, and share stories old and new.

The project, which started in March 2012 and runs until December, will celebrate the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by empowering local people to enjoy and reclaim their local spaces and take walks in the local area, (the walks start at Hackney Museum and end at Hackney Wick).  CoolTan Arts has been awarded a Transformers grant, funded by The National Lottery, through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, and managed by the East London Business Alliance.

The walks are devised and led by volunteers, Researchers on the project will be uncovering the hidden history, art, culture and mental health history of the area. As the research develops, the aim is to tell the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games from a unique perspective.

Project volunteer Ishmail said about participating in the project:-  “I have really enjoyed looking behind the official historical records and unpicking the rich tapestry of local voices in the area”

So far researchers have looked at various local landmarks and stories, including: – Hackney’s oldest building – St Augustine’s Tower, the story of Hackney’s least successful theatre, the history of Hackney Workhouse and psychiatric hospitals, a memorial to Blind Fred – a match seller, the hidden river of Hackney Brook, the open spaces of Victoria Park (the “people’s park”), Hackney Marshes and the river Lea and the rich history of non conformism in Hackney. As far as we know, this is the only accessible walk project to look at these themes in the area.

Melissa Bliss, who facilitates the project said: -, “The project has brought together such an variety of friendly people keen to uncover local history.  Even though I have lived in East London a long time there are so many new facts I have discovered about the area, its streets and neighbourhoods, architecture and people hold a wealth of fascinating stories”.

CoolTan Arts, an arts centre run by and for people with mental distress, successfully runs a similar walk in South London, the ‘CoolTan Arts  Largactyl shuffle’ and hopes these East London walks, run in partnership with Hackney Museum and Centre for Better health will be just as popular. Mental distress has been described as an ‘invisible disability’ and the aim of the walks is to break down stigma and start conversations.

If you would like to join a walk please meet at 12 noon outside Hackney Museum main entrance. Please wear sensible footwear, bring a bottle for water and some sandwiches. Walks end at Hackney Wick. Walks last approx 3.5 hours. Contact Clara Jones at CoolTan arts to sign up or find out more. 0207 701 2696 or clara@cooltanarts.org.uk, or check our website www.cooltanarts.org.uk.

Upcoming dates during the Olympic and Paralympic period are Sunday 29^th July , Tuesday 7^th August, Tuesday 14^th August, Saturday 18^th August Tuesday 28^th August, Sunday 2^nd September and Friday 7^th September.

The project is also recruiting and training new volunteers. CoolTan Arts welcomes volunteers with disabilities, or without disabilities. Volunteers will get training in First aid, storytelling, mental health first aid, and Walk Leader training. The group meets at various locations in Hackney on a Tuesday 12 noon to 3pm. Contact Clara Jones at CoolTan Arts for more details. 0207 701 2696, clara@cooltanarts.org.uk