Imagining Leytonstone in 2036: A Profound Experience at Town Anywhere
Recently I was part of Town Anywhere, a community futures event hosted by Transition Leytonstone where residents were invited to imagine what our neighbourhood might look like in the year 2036.
At the beginning of the day we were asked two simple but powerful questions:
What is your hope for this experience?
And what is your worry?
My answer came from the heart.
My hope was that our dreams for Leytonstone’s future might align. That despite our different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of seeing the world, we could find shared aspirations for the place we call home.
My worry, on the other hand, was that our expectations might diverge too much. That we might struggle to articulate a collective vision or find common ground.
As it turned out, that worry was completely unnecessary.
From the moment the event began, everything unfolded in a way that felt natural, smooth, and welcoming. There was no pressure to socialise or perform. People moved through the activities in their own ways, and yet connections formed spontaneously — as though everyone was contributing to the process simply by being present.
For someone who is naturally shy, that felt wonderfully freeing.
By the end of the day, I realised that I had bonded with other participants in a deeply human way. And hearing others reflect on the experience, I knew that sense of connection was shared.
There was a warmth in the room that came from genuine curiosity, mutual respect, and collective imagination.
Throughout the event we worked together to imagine a version of Leytonstone in 2036 — not in abstract predictions, but through collaborative activities, playful design, and open conversation about the kinds of places, relationships, and systems we want to see in the future.
It was imaginative, thoughtful, and unexpectedly moving.
If you want to learn more about the Town Anywhere Leytonstone project — including its aims and upcoming plans — you can explore the official page on the Transition Leytonstone website:
👉 https://www.transitionleytonstone.org.uk/town-anywhere
Participating in Town Anywhere reminded me that the future of a place is not something that happens to a community. It is something that evolves through the people who live, care, and make space for one another.
As someone who works with hands, fabrics, and small creative acts, I found the experience deeply resonant. It reinforced a belief I carry into every workshop and gathering: small moments of making together quietly shape bigger ideas about belonging, care, and collective possibility.
I’m very much looking forward to meeting the Town Anywhere steering group again on 28 April and continuing these conversations about our shared future.
Leytonstone has a remarkable community — and this event made that truth feel even clearer.
Sometimes all it takes is a room full of people willing to imagine the future together.
