Shedlife, a local charity which supports residents experiencing loneliness, opened a new, purpose-built facility at the Thames Community Hub on Friday 26 September. For several years the charity has been supporting residents in the Barking area, and this new facility will allow them to change many more lives. The structure was designed by University of East London students and constructed by Bellway, with funding support from the council. Shed Life, is a resident-led project, they believe that everyone has the right to live a life that allows them to get on with LIFE; good health, independence, friendship, enjoyable social activities and new experiences. They deliver projects that bring people together, specifically residents who are experiencing isolation and loneliness. Shed Life Drop-inevery Wednesday 10am -12pmThames Community Hub, Thames View Estate, Barking, IG11 OLG All welcome, pop-in and get involved! Shed Life is a friendship network, that look out for each other. It is a safe space to learn and share skills, to build individual confidence and self-advocacy, to contribute to local conversations and to have your voice heard. Shed Life volunteers create new and interesting events and celebrations for their community, and specifically engaging residents who are at risk of being left behind. For full details please visit their website
Black History Month has Arrived
Black History Month runs throughout October celebrating the culture, history and achievements that Black African and Caribbean people have brought to the United Kingdom This year’s theme: Standing Firm in Power and Pride The theme for Black History Month UK 2025 is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, a powerful tribute to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to progress that define the Black community across the globe. This year, the theme highlights the profound contributions made by Black people, be they leaders, activists, or pioneers who have shaped history, while also looking towards a future of continued empowerment, unity, and growth. Cllr Sade Bright reflects on Black History Month and what’s ahead – have a watch here. This year’s Hall of Fame is also live on our website. Check it out to meet the people being celebrated for their exceptional achievements and contributions to the borough. Find out more and get involved here.
Summer Reading Challenge 2025: A Blooming Success with Story Garden
We’re delighted to share that this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, themed Story Garden, has come to a successful close. Children across the borough embraced the joy of reading, exploring stories rooted in nature, growth, and imagination. At our libraries, we welcomed guest authors and highlighted garden-themed books and activities that brought the challenge to life. From storytelling sessions to creative crafts, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. Over 200 children completed the main challenge, proudly collecting their certificates and this year we had children involved in the 0-5 Mini Challenge, engaging with books through play and early literacy activities The Story Garden theme encouraged children to nurture their love of reading, helping them grow in confidence and curiosity. A huge well done to all the children who took part, and heartfelt thanks to the families, library staff, and volunteers who helped the challenge flourish. Here’s to keeping the reading momentum going throughout the year! We’re excited to welcome all young readers—new and returning—back to the start of Reading Beez. Reading Beez is a fun and engaging reading scheme for children aged 5 to 13, designed to help improve reading skills while collecting prizes along the way. It’s a brilliant way to keep the reading momentum going throughout the year. To take part, simply ask at your local library. You can also find more information on the Community Hubs Events
Let’s Quit Smoking Together this Stoptober
Stoptober is back, and we’re calling on England’s smokers to join millions of others who have quit successfully with the campaign. Over 5 million adults in England still smoke. Smoking causes 75,000 deaths a year, making it the biggest cause of preventable illness and death. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. The good news is, if you quit smoking for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good. Going ‘cold turkey’ is still the most common way that people attempt to give up, but quit attempts are successful more often when using quit smoking support. That’s why this year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging smokers to quitting this October by exploring the free support available. We want aspiring quitters to know that we have their back and by taking part in Stoptober, they are more likely to succeed. There’s a wide range of free quitting tools available, including the NHS Quit Smoking app, the Personal Quit Plan, expert support from local stop smoking services and a Smokefree Facebook support group. There’s also lots of information about aids such as nicotine-free medicines, nicotine replacement therapies and vaping, available at nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking. Together, we can do this. Come and see one of our Stop Smoking advisers and let’s quit together: Wednesday 8th October at Dagenham Library from 11am to 4pm Tuesday 21st October at Barking Learning Centre from 11am to 4pm
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.
Braille 200 Celebration Event
Braille 200 Celebration Event We are proud to have hosted the launch of the Braille 200 Celebration Event at Barking Learning Centre, marking a significant milestone in promoting accessibility and inclusion for our visually impaired residents. The event saw the attendance of around 50 participants, including our dedicated Braille Buddies volunteers and attendees. It highlights our commitment to offering comprehensive support through initiatives such as the Weekly Braille Buddies programme and VIPERS, designed to engage and empower our community. Our Inclusive Digital Zones also showcase the latest technology, ensuring that all library users, including those with sight loss or other conditions, have access to essential resources. During the event, we were pleased to recognise Abiola Olabode, our dedicated volunteer, for his exceptional contribution to running the Braille Buddies group. An appreciation certificate was awarded to him in honour of his outstanding service. Muhammad Haque warmly welcomed attendees on behalf of LBBD Libraries and Universal Services, reinforcing that everyone is welcome to use and benefit from our services. He expressed how everyone faces unique challenges, yet by coming together, we can make a lasting impact in our community. We were also honoured by the presence of Dean Apps from LBBD, whose tireless efforts have improved accessibility within our borough, providing greater opportunities for our residents. Dave Williams, Customer Experience Manager at RNIB, gave an insightful presentation on the history of Braille, from its humble beginnings to its evolution into a key tool for blind people around the world. His presentation illuminated how Braille has become a crucial component of education, communication, and independence for those with visual impairments. Special thanks to our keynote speaker, Paralympic skier Mike Brace CBE DL, for his inspiring speech about his personal journey with Braille and its transformative impact on his life. Mike, who serves as a Trustee and Chair of The Disability Sports Development Trust, Chair of Sight Action Havering, and a Trustee of The Primary Club, is also a committee member of the Department of Transport’s Disabled Passengers Transport Advisory Committee. His motivational words reinforced Braille’s enduring power to create opportunities and foster independence. Hearing the powerful personal stories shared at the event was truly inspiring, showcasing how Braille has transformed lives. These stories are a testament to Braille’s profound impact in empowering individuals to overcome challenges and achieve greater independence and inclusion. We, at LBBD Libraries and Universal Services, are especially grateful to RNIB for choosing us to launch this year-long Braille 200 Celebration. This partnership strengthens our shared goal of promoting accessibility and inclusion. Thank you to all the participants and partners for making this event a great success. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to continuing our work towards greater innovation and inclusivity throughout the year.