The Hackney Pirates – Dalston’s Ship of Adventure!
Receiving a message out of the blue, on Facebook, about a year ago from an old uni friend asking to use some of the photos taken of me skydiving could never really have been further from where I found myself tonight. Although, to be fair, they were for a charity fundraiser (before you switch off, this is not me asking you for money, seriously, it’s not), but little did I know that another year later I would get a second message asking me if I would like to come and visit the Ship of Adventures, the home of the Hackney Pirates.
Now, I don’t know about you, but the Ship of Adventures would probably have done it for me, but to add in the Hackney Pirates, really got me wondering what on earth she was rambling about. (Sorry Laura!) As it turns out, the Hackney Pirates are a wonderful little charity based on Dalston Kingsland highstreet who provide a space for kids that need somewhere to go and do a little extra work outside of school; not for behavioural, or disability related reasons, just really for those who don’t have the confidence to keep up at school or who struggle due to English being a second language. That sort of thing.
They have a fantastic space called ‘The Deep’ beneath the Ship of Adventures shop that is kitted out with everything kids might need and plenty more. I even spotted the tentacles of a giant octopus in the corner! They work with seven local schools to ensure that those kids that need it have somewhere to go, if they need, to make sure they keep up with their schooling and to have some ‘Adventures in Learning’ as they put it, while they’re there.
Honestly, the whole place is covered in fantastic nautical, literary and all round, genuinely inspirational stuff. The staircase is painted to look like the spine of books, the walls are covered in murals, paintings and chalk boards with the kids greatest adventures to date and all in all it’s just a really fun place to be. It’s a resource that is much needed and even if I am a little biased, it’s hugely impressive. In the shop, the Ship of Adventures, you’ll find a huge range of goods from the books the kids put together to art from local artists to the best-selling miniature globe/pencil sharpeners. That along with the café it is kitted out with make it a really great space for the whole family to spend time together. There are a wide selection of local baked goods, drinks and even locally roasted coffee with all the profits being put back into the charity to 
ensure it provides the best service possible.
I could go on and on praising it and would love to, but really you need to go and see it for yourself. Located a very, very short walk from Dalston Kingsland station, on the highstreet at 138 Kingsland High Street, E8 2NS the Ship of Adventures is calling!
The Hackney Pirates are online here, on Twitter, Facebook and also YouTube. They are open from Tuesday to Friday 11am – 7pm and Saturday 10am – 6pm.
They are also having a free coffee day this Friday the 25th April in the Ship of Adventures and would love to see you there!
Reporter: Peter Churchill
@HackneyPirates
