On Wednesday 12 March, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in partnership with award-winning charity ShowerBox and Barking Churches Unite to celebrate the opening of ShowerBox Barking. This ground-breaking project is the UK’s first permanent purpose-built facility located at Barking Leaming Centre and offers hot showers, underwear, respite and refreshments for people in the borough experiencing homelessness. Providing access to sanitation for individual and community health with facilities like ShowerBox Barking can play a vital contribution in narrowing the gap in health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. Barking and Dagenham, like other areas of London, has seen an increase in the number people rough sleeping (64% increase from 20/21 to 22/23) and poor sanitation can have a significant impact on individual and community health. Poor sanitation can make people more at risk of infectious disease, with rough sleepers 24 times more likely to contract tuberculosis Lower life expectancy, the average age of death for rough sleepers is 43 for malles and 45 for females, and it causes including preventable hygiene related issues such as sepsis Increased demand on A&E services with rough sleepers attending services for conditions such as cellulitis. The partnership between ShowerBox, Barking Churches Unite and the Council and development of ShowerBox Barking originated from their participation in “Pop Up” events across the borough to support people experiencing homelessness, where guests could see a doctor with no prior appointment, and also receive food, clothes, a haircut and a shower. Most people surveyed at the events said they attended for free food and showers, as well as to see a doctor. Thanks to funding from the Barking and Dagenham Health Inequalities Programme (from NHS North East London and determined by the Barking and Dagenham Place-based Partnership), LBBD and generous in-kind support from ShowerBox, Barking Churches Unite and their supporters and volunteers, ShowerBox Barking has been opened at the Barking Learning Centre, where the pop-up’s took place. Cllr Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Adults Social Care and Health Integration, who has spearheaded this new facility said at the launch event: “Today is a dream come true for me. The importance of providing access to sanitation can not be underestimated, not just for improving personal hygiene and preventing disease, but in terms of helping to improve the life chances of some of our most disadvantaged residents. “More often than not, people experiencing homelessness are not seen or valued and by offering them something as simple as a hot shower, that we all take for granted, it will help give them the respect and dignity they deserve. “I am so proud of what we as a partnership of health, community and voluntary sector and the local authority have achieved with this project”. Sarah Lamptey MBE, Founder and Chief Executive, ShowerBox said: “The launch of ShowerBox Barking, a partnership between ShowerBox, the London borough of Barking and Dagenham and Barking Churches is momentous for our charity. It’s the culmination of many years of work across our growing team, to support and lighten the loads of the lives of our guests, those who experience the hardship of homelessness every day. “This partnership is a milestone for ShowerBox and a wonderful moment for me personally, as since the start of 2018 I’ve had the dream and focus to support individuals without access to hygiene facilities. A simple way to make a great difference in people’s lives, to their physical health, mental
Celebrating Health & Culture: The African & Caribbean Show
On 27 March 2025, the Afro-Caribbean Health Show at Barking Learning Centre welcomed over 300 attendees, creating a vibrant and supportive space for African and Caribbean communities across the Borough. Led by Parissé Devaux and Erica Deti, this integrated, personalised neighbourhood pop-up clinic brought together a diverse range of services to empower and uplift residents. Health and well-being took centre stage, with NELFT NHS Foundation Trust professionals offering expertise in mental health, long-term conditions, and health visiting. Meanwhile, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust specialists provided support in haematology and sexual health. Beyond healthcare, local authority teams offered essential guidance on housing, financial support, social prescribing, and smoking cessation, ensuring a holistic approach to well-being. Community organisations played a vital role, delivering services for children, young people, and adults, alongside dental care, hair cutting, massage therapy, and more. To celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the event, attendees also enjoyed delicious Afro-Caribbean cuisine, adding warmth and tradition to a day dedicated to connection and care. This gathering exemplified the power of community, breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity—proving that when we come together, health and culture thrive side by side.
Thrive Together: A Community United for Better Health
Thrive Together – Better Health for You and Your Baby brought together 700 people at the BLC, creating a vibrant hub of support for women and their families. The event, designed to empower new and expectant mothers—as well as those planning their pregnancy journey—featured an extensive range of services and expert-led sessions.
London Ambulance and Maternity Survey
Dear All Please share with all your families you work with £20 gift card available to complete survey! Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham is working with the London Ambulance Service (LAS) NHS Trust to understand the experiences of women and birthing people who have used London Ambulance or NHS 111 services during their pregnancy or within 12 months postpartum. We want to help LAS understand how they can improve their service, particularly for Black, Asian and mixed-ethnicity women. We want to hear about: • The experience of women and birthing people accessing Urgent and Emergency care via either 111 and/or 999. • The experience of women and birthing people when receiving care from LAS during pregnancy and 12 months post-partum. If anyone is happy to be contacted for an interview, will be issuing them with a £20 gift card to say thank you for their time. Here is a link to a survey: London Ambulance and Maternity Survey
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.
Baby Bank at Barking Learning Centre Community & Family Hub
We are kindly asking for your help and support with donations for the brand-new Baby Bank at the Barking Learning Centre Community and Family Hub. Since we’re just getting started and setting things up, we’re currently onlyable to help families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) from the West area. If you know a family in need, please email us at familynavigators@lbbd.gov.uk. Take a look at the list below to see what items are needed. Your contributions will really make a big difference for these families.
Working with Partners to Bring the Best Services to Our Residents
Recently, we’ve had some great partners visit us, giving residents the chance to chat face-to-face. Every two weeks, AB is here to help Food Club members directly with advice. Plus, the Job Shop is now offering support sessions fortnightly too. At Becontree Community Hub, a GP pop-up offered vaccines to residents, and it was a success! A big thank you to these partners: What’s next? We’re teaming up with ILA and others to make our green space at Heath even better. Our goal is to have a beautiful, accessible area for all residents, including those with extra needs. Last year, we grew lots of fresh produce to share with the community, and we hope to do even more this year! It looks a bit empty now, but stay tuned for updates. If you love gardening and want to help out, let us know. We welcome all helping hands! 😊 Finally, a huge thank you to all the staff at Heath and Becontree Community Hubs. Your hard work makes a real difference. You always put residents and partners first, and it shows. Let’s keep up the good work! Your donations make a big difference in our community, and we truly appreciate your support!
Generous Donations from Partners who support Heath Community Hub
We’re really lucky to have amazing partnerships with many organizations and people in our area. They’ve been incredibly generous, donating items that help keep the Heath Community Hub and Food Club going strong. A big thank you to our recent donors: Your donations make a big difference in our community, and we truly appreciate your support!
Digital Inclusion Zone
The digital inclusion zones at BLC and Dagenham Library are now open! The digital inclusion zone is an accessible digital technology area which aims to provide accessible technology for those with disabilities. The digital inclusion zone has been created to: What is available? The digital inclusion zones have a lot of equipment to support individual needs such as: