2025 to 2026 project outcomes
Early 2025 saw the start of engagement on the greenspace priorities to better understand how the community wanted to use their open spaces. The survey was supported by a range of in-person events.
Work to deliver these priorities started on site in Autumn 2025 and concluded Summer 2026, including new -
- high street planters
- drifter benches
- litter pods
- cycle racks
Sculcoates Park has also undergone a range of improvements, including new footways, fencing, sports court refurbishment, and a lighting improvement programme, which received additional grant funding from the council to increase accessibility and safety for the community and park users.
Natural play equipment and new boundary fencing has also been added to the children’s play area, alongside picnic tables and a chess table with new surfacing.
Love Stepney - barrow beat 12-month pilot
Improving -
- cleanliness
- litter
- graffiti
were some of the top priorities identified by the community in the 2024 survey. Stepney HSA Partnership approved funding for a 12-month fixed term post to appoint a dedicated Streetcare operative to build local relationships and raise cleanliness standards in the area.
The Love Stepney pilot began in March 2025 contributing to ‘Keep Stepney Tidy’. Whilst the fixed term external funding for this post ended in March 2026, this campaign, including shop window vinyls, pavement stencils and educational information continues to promote this message, whilst encouraging the local businesses and community to get involved.
Stepney Partnership Legacy Projects and Next Steps
As the top three community priorities consistently focussed on litter/graffiti, antisocial behaviour and street drinking, the majority of high street revenue funding was concentrated on projects which -
- promoted positive behavioural changes and a call to action
- created a legacy of continued engagement
- created a sense of belonging and pride in the community.
Work has commenced on three community projects, contributing to the continuing legacy of the project.
Tigers Trust Outreach Programme
This 12-month project includes youth outreach and sporting activity with young people in the Stepney area, using the newly improved facilities in Sculcoates Park.
Stepney Primary School Art Project
Stepney Primary School are collaborating with a local artist to develop a whole school mural, turning the walls of their basketball court in to a cheering crowd, using the pupil’s own self-portraits. This project is well under way, and we expected to see their efforts unveiled in the coming weeks.
Riot Recovery Project
This youth-led project focuses on creative engagement, youth voice, and reinterpreting public spaces. The project aims to support young people and local communities to explore identity, belonging, place and representation through creative activity and public -facing work, including art and murals.
We expect to share more as the project unfolds.
In addition to these community led activities, the Partnership will also be continuing their promotion of the ‘Keep Stepney Tidy’ campaign and actively seeking additional support in care of their high street planters.
The future of the Stepney Partnership
As the project comes to a close, the Partnership are very keen that this is not the end of their work in Stepney. They are looking to boost their membership and continue supporting the community as part of a new independent community group, the Stepney and Sculcoates Traders and Residents (SSTAR) Group.