HOME TO COCREATE HACKNEY & THE COMMUNITY CLOSET.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Our Impact
Impact isn’t a side note here.
It’s the point.
We track impact across two interconnected organisations:
- The Community Closet - immediate, dignity-first wraparound support
- CoCreate Hackney - resident-led system change
Measured separately, but joined up & working together intentionally.
Support stabilises. Stability enables participation. Participation builds influence. Influence shifts systems.
This is infrastructure - not activity.
53
volunteer
shapers
1837
shaper hours to date
299
residents
participating
1864
hours of resident participation
691
crisis bundles issued
573
food bundles distributed
71
sim cards supplied to residents
131
iag appointments completed
168
resident voices
5
workshops
5
community events
1
Stronger Local Community
"The CoHub didn't just give me essentials when I had nothing; they gave me a community. It's a space where you're not judged for your situation, you're supported for your potential."
sA, Community Closet client
"Resident-led innovation sounds like a big phrase, but here it just means my voice matters. We're co-creating the services Hackney actually needs, and that's a powerful shift."
DS, insight lab participant
Stories from The CoHub
From Crisis to Confidence
Hector first came into the hub to see what was going on.
At the time, he needed support across multiple areas - electricity, digital access, furniture, food and clothing. He didn’t have WiFi or basic appliances at home, and was trying to manage day-to-day without the essentials many of us take for granted.
From Financial Exclusion to Independence
For over 15 years, Phil had been completely financially excluded. He arrived at the hub after being referred from one of our working partners.
After a marriage breakdown, he lost access to his accounts, identification, and most of the systems many of us take for granted.
Terry Found his Rhythm Again!
Terry came to the CoHub after losing his wife to illness.
A retired cruise ship entertainer, he had spent a lifetime surrounded by people, energy and performance. But after his loss, everything changed. The days became quiet, his routine disappeared, and he found himself increasingly isolated.
A Resident Speaks
Stanley Says
"This place is fast becoming my go to place for support. It's marvellous this stuff you do!"
maggie says
"As a Shaper I am proud my opinions and lived experience help to shape services & improvements. As a resident, I really enjoy coming to activities like Tai Chi & helping out at the Pantry on a Friday. Keeps me out the house & active!"
sara & chenel say
"The Closet has helped us since we arrived in the UK. The team is very friendly & go out of their way to help you here."
Reports and Findings
CoCreate Hackney &
LB Hackney: Here2Help Guide 2026
Big Issue Impact
Turning Point
Funder Reports (Coming April 2026
The Community Closet & Hackney Giving: Cost of Living Grant
Funder Reports March 2026
CoCreate Hackney & Homerton University Hospital: Neuro Rehab in the Community
(Coming April 2026)
Learning & Insights
What our work is teaching us.
Dignity
Removing unnecessary barriers increases engagement. No gatekeeping builds trust. Trust builds repeat involvement. Involvement builds community power.
Dignity first = dignity works.
Stability
People cannot engage in system change while in crisis. Access to clothing, essentials and practical help creates the conditions for confidence, participation and leadership.
Support is the foundation of voice.
Proximity
Local, consistent presence prevents escalation. When residents can ask questions early, problems are resolved before they become statutory emergencies.
Near support reduces future pressure.
Intelligence
Lived experience is strategic intelligence. Residents identify gaps faster, design more practical solutions and improve service relevance.
Participation improves design quality.
System Saves!
The wider value created through local infrastructure.
Prevention
Early, informal intervention reduces pressure on crisis services, housing teams and acute mental health pathways.
Small local support avoids large reactive spend.
Capacity
Volunteer-to-leader pathways build internal community capability.
Residents move from receiving support to delivering it - reducing reliance on external provision.
Community power scales sustainability.
Efficiency
Circular clothing and reuse models reduce household costs, textile waste and environmental impact - while creating enterprise pathways.
People and planet win together.
Design
Co-designed programmes reduce dropout, increase attendance and minimise redesign costs.
Better design upfront prevents wasted commissioning spend later.