'Some Kind of Hack Space'
A space for autonomous creative exploration with technology
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For neurodiverse young people
aged 14-25
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A space where you can bring your own ideas and projects, join creative workshops with guest artists and scientists, and experiment with games design, electronics and coding.
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We offer a monthly 4 hour session for you to:
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Try out activities on offer throughout the day
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Join a more structured but relaxed workshop with guest artists
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Work on your own creative projects, socialise and play games
Image courtesy Dave Darch, Lead Artist
Book for the Hack Space sessions here...
- Sat, 12 OctLeyton Sixth Form College12 Oct 2024, 11:00 – 15:00Leyton Sixth Form College, Essex Rd, London E10 6EQ, UKWith guest illustrators iella and Joshua Grier, and games design with Dave Darch
- Sat, 16 NovLeyton Sixth Form College16 Nov 2024, 11:00 – 15:00Leyton Sixth Form College, Essex Rd, London E10 6EQ, UKElectronics Repair Cafe, plus games design with Dave Darch.
- Sat, 14 DecLeyton Sixth Form College14 Dec 2024, 11:00 – 15:00Leyton Sixth Form College, Essex Rd, London E10 6EQ, UKProgramme TBC
What is 'Some Kind of Hack Space'?
​Some Kind of Hack Space is a project space for neurodiverse young people to experiment, test out creative ideas, and meet up. ​
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A relaxed environment in which neurodiverse young people can explore their own creative ideas supported by regular staff and visiting creative practitioners with expertise in neurodivergent conditions and youth work.
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Visiting artists, designers and scientists will bring a variety of creative workshops and activities to each session. Specific workshops will be shared in the booking details for each session.
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You can bring your own projects to get on with. You might for example want to code, edit film, animate, draw, knit, write music...just let us know what you're thinking of doing in the sign up form. You will have access to some equipment, computers and drawing materials.
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Artists and technicians are available to assist you with your projects if you need them. They have lots of skills they can share with you including coding and electronics, making music, animation, filmmaking, using a camera, fabric construction and mathematical origami!
Who is it for?
Some Kind of Hack Space has been designed in particular for neurodivergent young people with a special interest in creativity, technology, art, design and making. ​We welcome young people, with diagnosed or self assessed neurodivergent conditions, their friends, allies and siblings.
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Joining something new can be quite daunting, so we want you to know that this is a space designed with you in mind and somewhere you can take things at your own pace. We are excited to learn what interests you. We won't insist you join in or ask you to show your work to everyone, but if you'd like to, please do!
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When is it?
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Currently held once a month on Saturdays from ​11am-3pm.
See booking above for details.
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Where is it?
Leyton Sixth Form College, Essex Road, Leyton, London, E10 6EQ
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There is space for up to 30 young people. Activities are set up in different rooms with additional quiet spaces to relax.
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Other Stuff
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It's free
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Parents, carers, siblings and friends are welcome to come along and support you, join in the activities, have a cuppa with other parents in the foyer, or drop you off for the day. Whatever suits you.
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We will have some snacks, but do bring your own food and drinks
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The Programme so far...
More information for parents, carers, volunteers and supporters...
The Hack Space aims to:
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celebrate difference and offer a neuroaffirming experience for all participants
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build on existing skills and special interests of neurodivergent participants by accessing specialist technologies and spending time with experts
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build confidence among neurodivergent participants in their skills
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build confidence of neurodivergent participants to be active changemakers to inform service provision
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build confidence of neurodivergent participants to try new things in shared spaces
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equip neurodivergent participants with practical, social and intellectual experiences to help prepare them for the transition to adulthood
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Who we are:
I’m Laura Kerry, co-director of Artillery CIC, I love creative projects where art and science collide, and I’m part of a neurodiverse family. Artillery is an arts organisation in Waltham Forest. You may have heard of some of the events that we are best known for producing such as the E17 Art Trail, The Mile Long Street Party, Grandad’s Island, or High Street ADVENTures? Behind the scenes we also run a programme of artist support and creative learning opportunities.
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Some Kind of Hack Space was conceived because of my family's experience, and is combined with my passion in my work for creating supportive environments in which artists can experiment and collaborate. I imagine Some Kind of Hack Space having an energy a bit like an artist's studio, or a co-working space, somewhere young people can work on their projects at their own pace, but alongside their peers to experiment, and to share and grow their ideas. A calm, concentrated social and creative space, but without any expectations to socialise in a particular way or to perform or present your work, unless you want to!
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We are really excited to be collaborating with lead artist, musician and creative technologist Dave Darch. Dave brings his creative expertise as well as his experience devising projects for disabled children. He is currently the Digital Ambassador at Big Creative Education.
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We're also delighted to be working with Ricardo Norville as our techinican. We first met Ricardo in 2019 while studying film at Leyton Sixth Form when he did some work experience with us. Ricardo makes sure we are all set up ready to start the day at Some Kind of Hack Space.
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Alongside Dave Darch, Ricardo Norville, and Artillery’s Laura Kerry and Morag Mcguire we will invite guest scientists and artists to support the sessions and introduce different ideas and skills.
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Dave Darch
"I'm a teacher of creative coding, music, and animation in schools. I love seeing how these artforms can spark imagination and bring ideas to life.
I often work creatively with disabled adults and children. Apart from teaching in SEND settings, one of the ways I do this is through my work with Drake Music DMLab, where we build custom-made musical instruments for disabled people. It's incredible to see how music and technology can come together to break down previously disabling barriers to music making.
And when I'm not in the classroom or at DMLab, you can find me running hackathons for young people and adults. These events are all about teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving - and of course, having fun while we're at it. So, if you're interested in coding, animation, music, or just want to try something new, I'd love for you to join us. It's all about exploring, creating, and learning together." Let's see what we can create!
​In 2023 we had funding for 3 initial sessions to test the Hack Space idea. Here are the findings from our pilot project:
Can you help us make it happen?
Does this project strike a chord?
Do you think you can volunteer or support the project in some way?
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We'd love to hear from you.
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Please get in touch via the form below.
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Or you can support us through the Buy Me a Coffee scheme and Easy Fundraiser. Funds raised go towards our project overheads and paying artists.
Thank you.
Partners
2024: Some Kind of Hack Space is brilliantly supported by:
Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund, funded by Westfield Stratford City and delivered by Foundation for Future London
And The National Lottery Community Fund.
2023: Pilot project funded by Foundation for Future London as 1 of 17 Collaborative Commissions as part of the Connecting People & Places Fund, co-funded by City of London
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And a special thanks to local people who have seen the value in this project, volunteering their time and making donations. It's much appreciated.