Workshops
Take a look at all the workshops, talks and activities taking place at Emerge East.
We have a range of free drop-in sessions, free bookable activities and a couple paid experiences.
Start planning your day at Emerge East!
FREE drop-in workshops
Make a Home Worm Farm
Come and learn about the magic of worms! Did you know you can keep a worm farm in your flat to process waste food? In this workshop the Urban Worm gang will give you all the knowledge you need to create your own DIY worm farm, how to use the results for organic gardening and explain how the humble earthworm can help us save the planet.
Step free access
All ages - accompanied by an adult
Time: 14:00 - 15:00
Location: Station Square
DIY Deck the Halls - upcycled festive decorations
It's time to get upcycling! Join our craft experts as they guide you through the steps to create your very own sustainable, festive decorations from leftover fabrics and materials.
Step free access
Times:
Workshop 1 - 11:00 - 12:00
Workshop 2 - 12:30 - 13:30
Workshop 3 - 14:00 - 15:00
Location: Meeting room 2 - Project Space
A tree-mendous potting session
Pick a tree and pot it up! Acre Landscapes will be running Christmas tree potting workshops all day long at Emerge East. We'll have 200 small trees available for free! All you have to do is pick your favourite, pot it up with the team and take it home to decorate.
Step free access
Time: drop-in 11:00 - 17:00
Location: Station Square
Kindly supported by Acre Landscape.
Festive Wreath Making
Start the festive season with a bit of creativity at our wreath making workshops. Brought to you by Acre Landscapes, you will be provided with all the materials you need to craft your wreath from scratch, before taking it home and hanging it up for all to see!
Step free access
Times: Drop in - 11:00 - 17:00
Location: Station Square
Kindly supported by Acre Landscape.
Get Growing with Plantastic
Local gardening group, Plantastic, are bringing surplus seeds from Barking and Dagenham allotments to Emerge East, so come and get planting and take home a green treasure! Soil, pots and seasonal plant seeds provided.
Step free access
Times: Drop in - 11:00 - 15:00
Location: Station Square
Fold Your Town
Join us at this free family event where we will create our wonderful town in a day. Using handy templates (designed by our friends A Line Arts), you can craft favourite landmarks or invent your own, and together we will build a large origami model inspired by our local area and community. It’s all about having fun so come along and get creative!
It’s free and fun for all the family. Just drop in from 11.30 am; we recommend last entry at 4pm so you have time to finish your masterpieces!
Step free access
Times: 11.30 - 16.30 (last entry 16.00)
Location: Project office - Experience Suite
FREE bookable workshops
Art in the Air – kite making and flying workshop
Get the whole family involved in our free Kite Making Workshops and bring your creation to the sunset flying session on the bank of The Thames!
In these family friendly sessions, specialist kite makers Community Kite Project will guide you through the process of making and flying a soaring bird silhouette kite.
See full workshop details and book your spot.
Getting Shirty - upcycling with Grandpa's Shirts
Time to rummage through your wardrobe! Bring along that preloved shirt you haven’t worn for years and give it a new lease of life at our free ‘Getting Shirty’ workshops. Gaby from Grandpas' Shirts will walk you through some of her top upcycling tips. Add patches, stitching, embellishments and more to create a unique new piece to take back home.
See full workshop details and book your spot.
Night Sky - Stargazing and Astronomy session
What can you see in the night sky? Join our stargazing expert Dave Eagle and discover the wonders of the galaxy.
See full workshop details and book your spot.
When the river meets the sky - a nature walk and talk
Walk with ecologist Dr Caroline Nash and artist Sara Bor as they explore the East Thames corridor's exciting flora and fauna in a unique conversation exploring the intersectionality of nature and art.
Wild Winter Walk with Arcus
What can you spot down by the river? Join the Arcus ecology experts for a wild winter walk along the river for a chance to learn about the local wildlife down at Barking Riverside.
In this session hear about how we can all protect local biodiversity in this changing area, safeguard the wildlife and enhance natural habitats.
Talks
What if nature built cities?
The urban built environment is a relatively new phenomenon in the history of human habitation, while nature’s most successful processes have been honed over millions of years. Architects, designers and urban planners have been borrowing from natural phenomena and looking to the Earth's systems for inspiration to design smart, sustainable cities. With the climate crisis upon us, is it more important than ever to build with nature, and look to the natural world for inspiration.
From city to table - reconnecting with our food in urban environments
How do we reconnect to our food supplies and reintroduce food systems and food sources into our urban landscapes? How do we put food back into our ways of seeing and hold it at the centre of our lives once more? Join us for our panel talk on the future of food with Melissa Tutesigensi.
Paid bookable workshops
Musical Bingo on a Boat
No numbers, just music - get the whole family stuck in with Indeedy Musical Bingo! There will be singing, dancing and the chance to win some hilarious prizes, all aboard the bingo boat docked up at Barking Riverside’s brand new pier.
Suitable for all ages - Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Wild Riverside Sauna
Enjoy all the feel good benefits of deep heat, cold contrast and delicious steam alongside a range of sauna rituals from around the world. Discover something new about sauna culture with experts from the British Sauna Society on hand to give you advice and info.