Housing, Dignity and Belonging – Cultural Producers x The Magpie Project
As part of the next phase of the Creative Newham Cultural Producers programme, four teams of producers are collaborating with local organisations to explore pressing social justice issues through creative, community-led events or projects.
The Cultural Producers working with The Magpie Project have been commissioned to design a small-scale, high-impact project that shines a light on the hidden stories of housing inequality in Newham.
Today, we spotlight one of the project themes: ‘Arts & Homelessness’, in partnership with The Magpie Project, a grassroots charity supporting mums and children under five who are experiencing housing precarity. The collaboration is led by CEO and Founder Jane Williams.
Founded in 2017, The Magpie Project began as a simple but powerful idea: to offer clean, safe and welcoming spaces for mothers and young children navigating the daily realities of temporary housing, overcrowding, eviction, and poverty. Since then, the organisation has grown into a vital part of Newham’s support landscape, combining advocacy, belonging and direct aid with a deep, human-centred approach to change.
The Cultural Producers working with The Magpie Project have been commissioned to design a small-scale, high-impact event that shines a light on the hidden stories of housing inequality in Newham. From the lives of mothers seeking asylum, subject to the hostile immigration environment, living in poverty, in poor quality insecure housing (specifically living without cooking facilities), the team will explore how creative practice can amplify voices often left out of policy and public discussion; particularly those attempting to mother their small children without appropriate housing, enough money, and facing barriers to accessing the help they need.
With Jane’s guidance and the lived experience of Magpie’s community, the group will shape a series of podcasts that not only raises awareness but builds empathy, visibility, and solidarity.
We’ll be documenting their progress over the coming weeks, sharing behind-the-scenes insights, creative sparks, and reflections from both the artists and the families they’re working alongside.
About The Magpie Project
In 2017, a group of 15 or so mums, grandmas, daughters and members of the public were concerned about the difficult time mums and under-fives were having in temporary or insecure accommodation in our neighbourhood. They resolved to try to give them somewhere clean, fun and supportive to spend time during the day, then just ask them how they could help. They created the Magpie Project in collaboration with so many amazing mums and minis. Many of whom have moved on to live their lives after a period with us, others who volunteer with them, act on their Right Experience Advocacy and Change team, or their Steering committee, and one (so far) who is now employed with them. They have been so lucky to be able to attract the very best staff and volunteers to help them fulfil their mission, and to enjoy the incredible support of their enthusiastic Newham community and understanding funders.
About Jane Williams:
“I first started exploring the needs of women with young children in Newham in autumn 2016. Our first six-week pilot was in June 2017, we became a charity in December 2017.I spend my time talking to our wonderful mums and minis about how to make their lives better through advocacy, practical support, belonging and advice. I then try to source all the things that they tell me they need – through partnerships and collaborations with corporate, community, charity and statutory bodies. My main aim is to bring the very best to our precious families.”
