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.