16 Sep 2026, 09:42Neriah Adewuyi, aged 12, Communications AssistantHackney, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Hackney SDA Church Health Emphasis Street Fair Attracts the Local Community
Report by Neriah Adewuyi, aged 12, Communications Assistant
On Sunday, 13 September 2026, Hackney Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted a vibrant street fair that brought residents together for a memorable day of fellowship, fun, and healthy living. Despite unpredictable weather, a large crowd gathered to support the event and participated in a wide variety of activities designed to serve all age groups across the borough.
The fair featured an array of dynamic stations aimed at promoting both family entertainment and personal wellness. Children were delighted by the face painting and spent hours enjoying the bouncy castle, while adults took advantage of relaxing massage therapy sessions and free physical health checks offered by a qualified healthcare professional. A central focus of the event was educating visitors on the NEWSTART health programme – an acronym representing eight foundational principles for sustainable, holistic wellbeing:
Nutrition
Exercise
Water
Sunlight
Temperance
Air
Rest
Trust in God
To further empower the neighbourhood, free educational literature and books were made available for attendees to take home, encouraging continued learning beyond the event. The afternoon presented a test of adaptability when a sudden rainstorm interrupted the outdoor setup. Rather than shutting down the event, organisers and visitors moved inside the church building. The shift in location created a warm, cosy atmosphere where spirits remained exceptionally high. Everyone participated in energetic icebreaker games, sharing their names, favourite colours, and birth months, while others gathered around playing table games and enjoying deliciously prepared meals and refreshments.
Once the rain cleared, the crowd seamlessly transitioned back outdoors to socialise.
Several local leaders and community members reflected on the profound impact of the gathering:
Councillor Anntoinette Bramble (Leader of the Labour Party at Hackney Council and Former Deputy Mayor of Hackney) stated:
“I was born and raised in Hackney, so to be here really means a lot to me. I think that people of faith, whatever your faith is, can bring a lot to community, and I think that having a church that does things for your community is a brilliant way to bring people together. An event like this allows people who might not feel as confident to come out, spend time, have a lovely meal, and hopefully meet someone so they don’t feel so much on their own.”
Sir Patrick Vernon OBE, British Social Commentator and Windrush Campaigner:
“Haggerston holds particular memories for me. A number of years ago, I was involved in an oral history project on the old Haggerston Estate called Haggerston Routes, as part of Discover Hackney. I also worked with the local Seventh-day Adventist Church on a Windrush heritage project, where I shared material from my own collection of historic Caribbean postcards and archives, some dating from the nineteenth century through to the 1950s. It was another reminder of the importance of preserving our histories, recognising the contribution of previous generations and passing their stories on to young people.”
Younger attendees were equally enthusiastic about the day’s offerings:
Allyssa Reece, local youth:
“I came here because I heard that it’s fun and there would be many activities, and I really enjoyed it. There were fun stations, especially the face painting. But the most exciting thing there was the bouncy castle.”
The event proved particularly meaningful for residents seeking genuine human connection in an often fast-paced city environment:
Local Resident [Male]:
“The rain brought me to the street fair today. What excited me most was seeing the community coming together, interaction, exchange of ideas, and trying to be together... in London we rarely interact with each other.”
Visiting Haggerston Ward Councillors – Siobhan MacMahon and Charlene Concepcion – also shared encouraging words, observing how wonderful it was to watch neighbours bonding, given that UK residents rarely get sufficient opportunities to gather as a unified neighbourhood. Overall, the street fair was a resounding success, proving how faith groups and local initiatives can actively dismantle social isolation, foster vibrant relationships, and strengthen community ties.
Report by Neriah Adewuyi, aged 12, Communications Assistant
On Sunday, 13 September 2026, Hackney Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted a vibrant street fair that brought residents together for a memorable day of fellowship, fun, and healthy living. Despite unpredictable weather, a large crowd gathered to support the event and participated in a wide variety of activities designed to serve all age groups across the borough.
The fair featured an array of dynamic stations aimed at promoting both family entertainment and personal wellness. Children were delighted by the face painting and spent hours enjoying the bouncy castle, while adults took advantage of relaxing massage therapy sessions and free physical health checks offered by a qualified healthcare professional. A central focus of the event was educating visitors on the NEWSTART health programme – an acronym representing eight foundational principles for sustainable, holistic wellbeing:
Nutrition
Exercise
Water
Sunlight
Temperance
Air
Rest
Trust in God
To further empower the neighbourhood, free educational literature and books were made available for attendees to take home, encouraging continued learning beyond the event. The afternoon presented a test of adaptability when a sudden rainstorm interrupted the outdoor setup. Rather than shutting down the event, organisers and visitors moved inside the church building. The shift in location created a warm, cosy atmosphere where spirits remained exceptionally high. Everyone participated in energetic icebreaker games, sharing their names, favourite colours, and birth months, while others gathered around playing table games and enjoying deliciously prepared meals and refreshments.
Once the rain cleared, the crowd seamlessly transitioned back outdoors to socialise.
Several local leaders and community members reflected on the profound impact of the gathering:
Councillor Anntoinette Bramble (Leader of the Labour Party at Hackney Council and Former Deputy Mayor of Hackney) stated:
“I was born and raised in Hackney, so to be here really means a lot to me. I think that people of faith, whatever your faith is, can bring a lot to community, and I think that having a church that does things for your community is a brilliant way to bring people together. An event like this allows people who might not feel as confident to come out, spend time, have a lovely meal, and hopefully meet someone so they don’t feel so much on their own.”
Sir Patrick Vernon OBE, British Social Commentator and Windrush Campaigner:
“Haggerston holds particular memories for me. A number of years ago, I was involved in an oral history project on the old Haggerston Estate called Haggerston Routes, as part of Discover Hackney. I also worked with the local Seventh-day Adventist Church on a Windrush heritage project, where I shared material from my own collection of historic Caribbean postcards and archives, some dating from the nineteenth century through to the 1950s. It was another reminder of the importance of preserving our histories, recognising the contribution of previous generations and passing their stories on to young people.”
Younger attendees were equally enthusiastic about the day’s offerings:
Allyssa Reece, local youth:
“I came here because I heard that it’s fun and there would be many activities, and I really enjoyed it. There were fun stations, especially the face painting. But the most exciting thing there was the bouncy castle.”
The event proved particularly meaningful for residents seeking genuine human connection in an often fast-paced city environment:
Local Resident [Male]:
“The rain brought me to the street fair today. What excited me most was seeing the community coming together, interaction, exchange of ideas, and trying to be together... in London we rarely interact with each other.”
Visiting Haggerston Ward Councillors – Siobhan MacMahon and Charlene Concepcion – also shared encouraging words, observing how wonderful it was to watch neighbours bonding, given that UK residents rarely get sufficient opportunities to gather as a unified neighbourhood. Overall, the street fair was a resounding success, proving how faith groups and local initiatives can actively dismantle social isolation, foster vibrant relationships, and strengthen community ties.
