My Heathway Shop - Community Activity & Engagement Opportunities
Be First have managed design improvements to the My Heathway Shop at unit 30, The Mall, Dagenham Heathway. It has reopened to host 20 recipients of grants, enabling them to engage with the local community from October 2026-September 2027. These community-led activities will provide new opportunities, to learn skills, make friends and enjoy participating with your Heathway community!
B&D Giving guided an open call for Our Heathway Funding applications and the granting of awards and with the grantees' agreement, they distributed grants of equal value, to all of the eligible applicants, as part of a collaborative decision-making process.
These community groups champion local initiatives which are now being delivered at the My Heathway Shop, including: opportunities
to get creative, with arts and crafts, printing and fabric design, music and performances, accessorising and upcycling; learning new skills and improving confidence i.e. with digital technologies.
There are support groups and guidance sessions where you can be informed, empowered, make friends and improve your sense of wellbeing. The full list of grantees can be seen below and additional community groups are now also offering free activities at Heathway's mall - at My Heathway community hub.
We aim to bring the Dagenham Heathway community together to share skills, ideas and aspirations and to contribute to a community vision for Heathway, to become a better place to shop, work, live, and socialise.
Urban Symbiotics will manage the shop bookings and usage, to facilitate a smooth programme of activities, taking place there.
The future regeneration of Dagenham Heathway will be designed and managed in a way that benefits the local residents and businesses.
List of Grantees and their free activities/workshops
Andriana Petrova - "Heathway Multigenerational Arts & Crafts Hub" - which offers free Adult Watercolour Workshops and free Children's Art and Craft Club Workshops.
Company Drinks - "Wild at Heart: Nature Crafts for 55+" - nature-based craft workshops using dried flowers, leaves and local lavender, plus social events for seniors, run by Pip Field.
Creative Wellness Wonder - bringing the community together through a six-month series of interactive Art, Food & Wellbeing workshops at Heathway. From exploring creative arts to preparing simple, healthy, no-cook dishes. Children aged 3 and above and their families can enjoy fun, hands-on activities that spark creativity, inspire healthier food choices and support wellbeing. Each monthly session offers something new, bringing people together to learn, create and enjoy healthy living in a welcoming space.
Early Years Cocoon - Books by MILE and LeiYoga - running a "Circle of Sharing" event with a community swap (clothes, toys, books), creative arts and family yoga to promote sustainability and connection.
EmpowerU Today - “Create, Connect & Thrive” - an inclusive community hub at Dagenham Heathway, open to all. It offers creative, wellbeing and life-skills workshops, helping people build confidence, develop skills and connect with others. The hub is welcoming and accessible to disabled and chronically ill people, as well as anyone who may be experiencing isolation or would benefit from taking part.
Esther Adesanya - through 'Open Studio' by Esteri Ades - delivering creative textile, T-shirt printing and craft workshops, empowering individuals to explore their creativity, develop practical skills and discover opportunities for entrepreneurship through sustainable practices.
Gerard Cassidy - printmaking and silk screening workshops, teaching dry-point printmaking and silk screening on wood, encouraging creativity and technical skill-building.
Glitzed by Savash - “Glitz 4 Kids” - luxury embellishment workshops that teach children to customise plimsolls or T-shirts with pearls and rhinestones, promoting creativity and confidence.
Layla Cuttell - heritage and contemporary craft workshops, in textiles and embroidery, beadwork, sewing and upcycling, to combat loneliness and stress, while offering bitesize education i.e. for supporting personal finances.
Laura I Art Gallery CIC - meet 'Noah the Planet', a fun interactive environmental experience, where children, families and Arktivists (Eco heroes) of all ages can meet Noah, enjoy storytelling, creative conversations and hands on activities, using recycled and upcycled materials, while discovering simple ways to care for our planet
Moor Elite - “Youth Hub @ Heathway” - aiming to equip young people with the knowledge and practical skills to make informed decisions, stay safe and reduce their risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour or crime.
Peace & Grace CIC Ltd - urban greening and planting workshops, teaching families to grow plants and food in recycled containers, promoting sustainability, wellbeing, and community pride.
Radiant Ambitions CIC - “Upskill with Tech: Designing Journals in Canva”: a welcoming series of practical, hands-on workshops designed for adults who want to feel more confident using digital technology in everyday life. Through creative and enjoyable activities, participants will learn how to design their own journals using Canva, develop practical digital skills, and build confidence using online tools.
Replay the Culture’s immersive actor-led session, Spot Me, Spot You - exploring the everyday challenges and pressures that can affect men’s mental health and wellbeing, inviting participants to reflect on what they’ve seen and practise supportive conversations.The session will be followed by a facilitated men’s talk designed to reduce stigma and create space for men to connect and share their experiences.
Songles - Abhi and Dan's djembe drumming workshops and harmony singing workshops with live jams, and healthy snacks, culminating in a buzzing community experience.
Strength of a Queen is running “Neuro Lounge” - a welcoming, community-based space for adults with ADHD to connect, share experiences and explore practical ways of navigating everyday life. Through relaxed café-style discussions, peer support and interactive activities, the programme aims to build connections, encourage self-understanding and create a sense of belonging.
TLC Braiding and Beauty Therapy - "Braiding Circles" that teach braiding techniques, including SEND-friendly methods, with starter kits and peer support to empower isolated women and girls.
True Cadence is delivering - “Heathway Sounds” - a series of music and creative workshops, designed to bring people together, encourage creative expression and support emerging artists through collaborative, community-focused activities.
Ultimate Counselling - community-led workshops and group activities for local migrant communities. These include mental health, yoga, Zumba, mindfulness, and culturally diverse food-sharing to promote inclusion and connection.
Youth Spot Bar - "The Makers Market"; a creative community event where children, young people, and adults design, create, and sell handmade products, promoting entrepreneurship, creativity, and community connection.
See Calendar tab and Dates tab for workshops & booking details
Community Participation
Insights gained from previous engagement and ongoing community conversations have enabled us to develop short, medium, and long-term projects and strategies that will serve as a community vision and regeneration guide.
The "My Heathway Community Vision" is a project where your voice matters. Our dedicated project venue - My Heathway Shop in the Mall, is a community hub - you can keep up to date on the latest events and activities by clicking on the link below.
My Heathway – My Heathway Community Vision
No.30 at the Heathway Shopping Centre launched a unique community shop in the Heathway Mall - Shopping Centre in March 2022,
Instead of selling goods or services, our brightly, re-decorated new store will provide opportunities for participation, sharing skills, collecting ideas, opinions, and aspirations to support the community vision for Dagenham Heathway.
The shop features a stunning mural by local artist, Susanna Wallis, which illustrates many of the ideas and concerns that local people have previously submitted.
Come along to Unit 30 Heathway Shopping Centre, The Mall Heathway, Dagenham, RM10 8RE.
My Heathway – My Heathway Community Vision
