Stratford Family Zone Marketplace

School 21 will open its doors once a month to become a lively Saturday Marketplace – a place where local families and neighbours can come together, access services and support in one place, and connect with one another. 

What will it look like? That’s for Stratford residents to help decide. From early conversations and consultation, people have said they’d like a space with free healthy food, children’s activities, health and wellbeing support, and stalls run by local groups. Most importantly, it will be welcoming, safe, and open to everyone.

The Marketplace will be co-led by a Community Board of local parents, residents and young people, so that it reflects what matters most to Stratford families. It’s about creating a trusted space where people feel they belong, where support is easier to find, and where neighbours can build pride in their area.

We know this can work – the Old Kent Road Family Zone at Surrey Square Primary School in Southwark has already shown that Marketplaces like this improve health, reduce isolation, and give people opportunities to volunteer and build skills.