Aberfeldy Stories: A People’s Art School on the Street
“Come in and chat” – that simple sign on our studio door in Aberfeldy Street has sparked something extraordinary. Over six transformative months, curiosity turned into creativity, conversations became performances, and neighbours became storytellers.
200 People. 5 Films. 20 Podcasts. One Anthem and a Computer Game
Between March and September 2025, Aberfeldy Stories showed what happens when you give people the space, skills, and support to share their narratives. The results? Over 200 residents stepped through our doors and left with:
- 5 short films that capture the heart of our neighbourhood
- 20 podcasts brimming with local voices and perspectives
- Stand-up comedy routines that turned personal experiences into laughter
- Written and performed stories shared with courage and creativity
- A computer game designed by local imaginations
- The Aberfeldy Anthem — written and performed by residents
More Than an Oral History Project
“Initially, we thought it would be more of an oral history project,” says Mikey, “but we found that people’s personal experiences were much more vivid for them. By putting on workshops, we not only created a vehicle for those stories to come out but we also gave people skills to shape them — be it through podcasts, films, or poetry.”
Our late friend John Baker called The People Speak studio “a people’s art school on the street,” and he was absolutely right. For nine years before Aberfeldy Stories even began, we’ve been running our open studio and events, building trust, laying roots, and getting to know our community deeply.
“We love East London,” says Margot, “but it can be such a transient city, making it hard to lay down roots and get to know the local community. We feel fully accepted and grateful to have made lasting connections.”
Building a Dream Team
The support from Aberfeldy Big Local allowed us to do something special: train a new generation of socially engaged artists in The People Speak methodology. Our team grew to include:
- Helena Bloch — applied theatre practitioner leading drama and storytelling workshops
- Jo Elise — singer-songwriter creating the Women’s Sound Circle and composing the Aberfeldy Anthem
- Lewis Bryan — established stand-up comedian and workshop facilitator
- Evi Hall — podcast producer launching our new podcast series
- Ameron Randhawa – game designer behind the ‘Fast Food and Furious’
- Claire Nolan — filmmaker capturing it all on screen
Creating Space for Every Voice
Working with MIND Tower Hamlets, we welcomed people on recovery pathways who overcame personal challenges to get involved. Together, we explored how comedy, writing, and storytelling can transform personal experiences into compelling performances.
When we realized quieter voices needed their own space, Republic.London immediately offered their beautiful venue for our Women’s Sound Circle, where new songs and gentle connections flourished. (Exciting news: Republic will be hosting a new series of workshops by Aberfeldy Stories artists!)
What We Actually Did
- 5 creative courses led by local talent (stand-up comedy, podcast production, music-making, filmmaking, drama & storytelling)
- 8 taster workshops for local groups including Feldy Fellas, Link In Men’s Groups, Spotlight youth centre, Burcham Gardens, and MIND Tower Hamlets
- 10 live events including our pop-up talk show Talkaoke and a showcase at St Nicholas’ Church attended by over 70 people!
It all started around the Talkaoke table — our signature format where conversations flow freely and everyone gets a turn at the mic. From there, we co-created a program that gave people real skills and platforms to share their stories their way.
This Is What Community-Led Creativity Looks Like
“We would not be able to do this without the support from our local partners who say yes to a lot of our ideas — even if we can’t tell for sure what the outcome will be,” says Margot.
After 28 years of developing our creative craft and nine years of building relationships in this neighbourhood, Aberfeldy Stories represents everything we believe in: that everyone has a story worth telling, that creativity is a tool for connection, and that when you create genuine space for people, magic happens.
Aberfeldy is unique because of the individuals who live here. With Aberfeldy Stories, we’ve finally shone a light on them.
Aberfeldy Stories was supported by Aberfeldy Big Local. Special thanks to our partners MIND Tower Hamlets and Republic.London.
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