Introductory hands-on filmmaking courses for 16-19 year olds, inspiring the next generation of filmmakers and crew
Help Shape Childcare Support in Barking and Dagenham!
Win a £40 Amazon voucher*Are you a parent or carer living in Barking and Dagenham? We want to hear from you! We’re running a short survey to better understand your experiences with childcare—what’s working, what’s not, and what could make things easier for families like yours. Your feedback will help the council plan better support to help parents get into work or stay in work. 🕒 It only takes 5–10 minutes🎁 You could win a £40 Amazon voucher🔒 Your responses are anonymous and used only for research 👉 Take the survey now and help make a difference for local families! The survey link: https://forms.office.com/e/ukLuGcyzT1 Thank you for being part of the change
Community Space for Hire!
🌟 Discover the Perfect Space for Your Next Event! 🌟
Looking for a welcoming, affordable venue in Dagenham? The Park Active Age Centre has you covered!
Join the FREE Summer Reading Challenge at Barking and Dagenham Libraries!
The Summer Reading Challenge is a fun, free way for children aged 4–11 to stay motivated to read during the summer holidays. Children set their own reading goal and can read anything they enjoy – all books count! One in four children hasn’t reached the expected level of reading by the age of 11 and many will struggle to keep up at secondary school, despite reading for pleasure being one of the single biggest indicators of children’s development. The Summer Reading Challenge provides: Amazing way to boost confidence and self-esteem. They will be better prepared to return to school in the autumn. The Challenge supports the move into a new year group. The library provides free access to books and fun family activities all through the summer. Your child will be part of a UK-wide programme developed by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with the public library network. How to take part? (Library or online) At the library: you need to be a library member. Join the Library Now Visit your local Barking and Dagenham library to sign up. Set a summer reading goal and choose from books, eBooks, or audiobooks Receive a special sticker booklet and collect rewards for reading Or online Visit summerreadingchallenge.org.uk Sign up, set a reading goal, and get book recommendations Unlock digital badges and earn a printable certificate Don’t miss out – head to your local library and sign up this summer!
Dagenham Library Welcomes Baroness Twycross for Health Hub Opening
On Friday, 18th July 2025, we had the pleasure of welcoming Baroness Fiona Twycross, Libraries Minister, to the Dagenham Library and Family Hub to attend the launch of the DWP JCP Health Hub—a remarkable partnership between Department for Work and Pensions Jobcentre Plus and London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. She was joined by a number of local dignitaries, including MP Margaret Mullane, Deputy Leader of the Council Saima Ashraf, and local councillors. The visit was led by Zoinul Abidin BEM, Head of Universal Services, who provided a comprehensive tour of the library, showcasing the breadth of services offered to our residents. Baroness Twycross remarked on how “each part of the library is being utilised to deliver essential services that truly benefit the local community.” She noted the impressive range of services available, especially considering the size of the library. The Dagenham Library and Family Hub is home to a wide array of integrated services, including: Children’s Library Adult Library Inclusive Digital Zone Community Hub Family Hub Homes & Money Hub Sensory Team Work, Skills & Employment Support Pen to Print Barclays Local Banking Service Counselling Services Community Food Club Health Checks Library Services Group Activities Stop Smoking Service DWP JCP Health Hub A key strength of the Dagenham Library and Family Hub is its strong partnerships with the voluntary sector, which continue to enhance service delivery and community impact. This visit was a proud moment for all involved and a testament to the power of local collaboration in delivering holistic and accessible services to our communities.
Our Hubs BD website for Barking and Dagenham officially launches
Residents, families, and partners joined Councillors on Tuesday 27th May to celebrate the official launch of Our Hubs BD website at the Dagenham Learning Centre Community and Family Hub. The new digital platform https://ourhubsbd.london/ is set to transform how Barking and Dagenham residents connect with services, events, and each other. The launch event brought together local voices to highlight the importance of access to information, support, and opportunities in one easy-to-use online space. A live demonstration of the website featured showcasing accessibility tools and different functions on the website to suit user’s needs. Our Hubs BD is now live, serving as a central website for families to discover local events, activities, advice, and vital services tailored to their needs. The website includes: Councillor Jane Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care & Disabilities, said: “Our Hubs BD is about making it easier for people to find what they need and feel more connected to where they live. Whether it’s a parent looking for support, a young person searching for activities, or a resident wanting to get involved in the community, this platform brings it all together.” Cllr Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Health Integration, added: “By putting information and opportunities at people’s fingertips, we are helping families thrive and grow together. Our Hubs BD will be a key tool in making sure everyone in our borough feels included and supported.” Residents can now explore the new platform by visiting https://ourhubsbd.london/ to discover everything their local community has to offer.
🩺 Spring Covid-19 Vaccine Now Available for People with Weakened Immune Systems
If you have a weakened immune system, you may be eligible for a Spring Covid-19 vaccine to help protect against serious illness. People with weakened immune systems (also known as immunosuppressed individuals) are at higher risk of severe complications from Covid-19. This includes those who: This list is not exhaustive. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, speak to your GP, pharmacist, or specialist for guidance. 📅 Don’t delay – protect yourself this spring.🌐 Visit www.nhs.uk/CovidVaccination📞 Call 119🔍 Search “NHS Covid vaccine” for more info
Please give us your feedback
Thank you for visiting Our Hubs BD! We’re always looking for ways to improve your experience and better serve our community. Whether you’re a local resident or a first-time visitor, your feedback is incredibly valuable to us. This short survey will help us understand what’s working well on the website, what could be improved, and what new features or content you’d like to see. It only takes a few minutes, and your responses will directly shape the future of Our Hubs BD. Let’s build a better hub—together.
The Official Launch of Our Hubs BD Website
A new Our Hubs BD website – a central place for residents to find information, local events, activities, and support services available. The website offers tailored support to meet diverse needs, featuring: Hubs: Welcoming spaces providing information, advice, support, events, and activities. Help for families: Resources for parenting, infant feeding, and engaging activities. Help for everyone: Guidance for all ages to meet personal needs. Events: Discover daily and monthly events across the borough. Join In: Volunteer, participate in community projects, and share feedback. News and Celebrations: Stay updated on what’s new and exciting. Our Hubs BD ensures everyone in the community can stay connected at any time from any place. Join us at the official launch that will be taking place on Tuesday 27th May 2025 from 2 – 5pm at Dagenham Learning Centre Community and Family Hub, 1 Church Elm Ln, Dagenham RM10 9QS. Refreshments will be provided.
🌟 Celebrating Dads Who Show Up: A Parenting Programme Success Story 🌟
At first, many of the dads who joined our Parenting Programme were hesitant. They shared that they felt unsure about stepping into a space they assumed was “just for mums.” But what they found was something truly transformative. 💬 “I didn’t think it was for me at first,” one dad admitted. “But I quickly realised how welcoming it was—and how important it is for fathers to be part of this journey.” Through open conversations, shared experiences, and practical guidance, these fathers discovered the power of being present—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally—in their children’s lives. The programme helped them better understand their role in the family, strengthened their relationships with their partners, and most importantly, deepened their bonds with their children. 👨👧👦 From learning how to support their families more effectively to creating joyful memories with their kids, these dads are now embracing fatherhood with confidence and pride. This is more than just a programme—it’s a movement toward stronger families and empowered parenting. And we’re so proud of every parent who takes that first brave step. 📸 Photos of proud parents completed the programme, and families creating vision boards for a brighter future.