Thames Futures – Our Vision

OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THAMES WARD SHAPED BY RESIDENTS, FOR RESIDENTS, AS PART OF THE THAMES FUTURES COMMUNITY PROJECT

Published Christmas 2020 Research conducted in 2019

A note from Barking Riverside and Thames Futures Hello – we hope this booklet finds you well You’re about to read about the journey of Thames Futures.

Thames Futures is a project that aims to understand what residents really want for the future of Thames Ward – creating a vision for the area that reflects residents hopes and dreams.

It was commissioned by Barking Riverside Ltd and delivered by The Young Foundation, who trained and employed a team of local people to become community researchers. In this booklet you will find out more about how the team of community researchers went about collecting your views to form a vision for the future of Thames Ward.

The aim of creating the vision is to ensure that decisions made about the development at Barking Riverside respond to what local people want and that the development will have a positive social impact on everyone living, working and growing up in Thames Ward.

The research for this project was completed in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to Covid-19 restrictions we were unable to share this work with you at in person events as we had planned. So we are sharing it with you now via this booklet and also a short video (which is available to view at barkingriverside.london/the-place/social-impact). In both the booklet and video you will see images of groups of people, please be assured these were all taken before social distancing restrictions were introduced.

The vision forms a framework to measure how well the development at Barking Riverside is shaping up against what local people really want. Every year a team of community researchers will head out into the community and gather further research to understand what progress is being made against the vision. We hope we will be able to complete this research again in 2021 but we will of course be guided by covid-19 restrictions.

Because of the covid-19 restrictions currently in place it means that some of the things we have promised to do may not be able to happen in 2021. Until people can meet together physically again we will look for ways to bring projects to life digitally.

The Thames Futures Team

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WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY VISION?

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, a team of local resident researchers spent a year speaking to hundreds of residents about their hopes and dreams for the future of Thames Ward.

They asked people from Thames View, Riverside and Scratton’s Farm what it is like to live, work and grow up in the area.

You may have spoken to a member of the Thames Futures team at a pop up stall, during their door to door visits or at a workshop where they used creative ways to explore life in the area.

The aim of these conversations was to create a vision for the future of our community.

This vision spells out the changes we want to see locally. It includes the proposals Barking Riverside Ltd (BRL) have made in response to our priorities as well as the indicators that will be measured to know whether improvements are being made every year.

Whilst the research was completed before the pandemic, Covid delayed us in sharing the findings with the community as we waited to see whether share out events could be carried out in person. Rather than delay sharing this work any further, we decided the best approach would be to share these project through these booklets, delivered straight to your door. We have also made a short video which you can view at barkingriverside. london/the-place/social-impact.

In total there are 9 priorities residents said were important for Thames Ward and each is described in detail in the following pages. As residents you said Thames Ward should: 1. Keep me connected with my neighbours 2. Be somewhere that my voice is heard and acted upon 3. Improve my health and wellbeing 4. Be a safe place for me and my neighbours 5. Make it easy for me to get where I need to go 6. Be a place I’m proud to call home 7. Support me to achieve my potential 8. Be somewhere my friends and family are excited to spend time 9. Love and care for its natural and outdoor spaces

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Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

WHAT IS THAMES FUTURES?

Thames Futures is a project designed to understand what residents really want for the future of Thames Ward. It has been commissioned by Barking Riverside Ltd and delivered

by The Young Foundation, who trained and employed a team of local people to become community researchers.

The aim of Thames Futures is to ensure decision makers delivering the new development respond to the priorities decided by residents in Thames Ward. The ultimate goal of this work is to help ensure the development has a positive social impact on everyone living, working, and growing up in Thames Ward.

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WHO HAVE YOU ACTUALLY SPOKEN TO? We’ve spoken to almost 400 residents across the ward, of all ages and backgrounds. To do this we held pop-up events, creative workshops, school sessions, coffee mornings and pizza evenings. We tried to reach people across the ward and at different times of day, to allow families, single people, young and old to tell us what they love and want to change about their area. Places we held events included:

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THAMES WARD MUSLIM ASSOCIATION

BASTABLE AVENUE

DOOR KNOCKING

RIVERSIDE COFFEE LOUNGE

RIVERGATE CENTRE

PLAYHILL PARK

THAMESVIEW INFANTS

THE WAREHOUSE

RIVERSIDE BEACH

Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

Please note these images were taken at events prior to Covid-19 restrictions

HOW DID YOU COLLECT INFORMATION FROM RESIDENTS? Our activities took place before the Covid-19 pandemic, which meant we could use a range of creative and engaging methods to help uncover residents’ hopes and dreams for the ward.

• We asked residents to write ‘love letters’ to Thames Ward, which allowed us to hear what’s great about living here as well as what could be better • We invited a wide range of residents to come to model making workshops, where they used Lego to build models of the key issues affecting their neighbourhood, as well as the solutions that would help overcome these issues • We visited schools and Riverside Campus to hear the views of children and young people. At Riverside Campus we ran a workshop with all sixth formers and had them draw ‘a typical young resident’ to find out the specific changes young people would like to see locally • We held pop-up stalls at local events and outside schools and asked people to fill in ‘speech bubbles’ in response to key questions about their area

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HOW CAN RESIDENTS USE THIS VISION? The community vision is a tool that can be used by local individuals, community groups and businesses to provide evidence to BRL and other organisations like council, about what residents really want for their area. It can also be used to encourage those responsible for making Thames Ward a better place to learn about what changes residents want to prioritise.

Alongside the community vision, we have created an evaluation framework which will be used by BRL to track and report progress each year. This will help us see whether positive change is happening in relation to things that residents have said should be priorities, like health, community cohesion and outdoor spaces. As BRL are only responsible for the land at Barking Riverside, many of the suggested projects and activities are based in this area. However, we do recognise that more than this needs to happen if we want to achieve the vision that has been set by local people. So, BRL and Thames Futures are committed to proactively approaching other partners to ensure projects and activities are undertaken across the Ward for the benefit of all residents.

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Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

WHAT ARE RESIDENTS’ PRIORITIES? The next section of this booklet outlines the 9 priorities residents said were important for Thames Ward. Each double page spread that follows includes direct quotes from residents, as well as more detail about what issues they said should be considered when planning the future of the ward.

Against each priority you will see the related proposals BRL has made to residents, as well as the indicators that will be tracked every year to know whether things are heading in the right direction.

On the following pages you can read how your neighbourhood will…

Pg. 9

Keep me connected with my neighbours

Pg. 11 Be somewhere that my voice is heard and acted upon Pg. 13 Improve my health and wellbeing Pg. 15 Be a safe place for me and my neighbours Pg. 17 Make it easy for me to get to where I need to go Pg. 19 Be a place I’m proud to call home Pg. 21 Support me to achieve my potential Pg. 23 Be somewhere friends and family are excited to spend time Pg. 25 Love and care for its natural and outdoor spaces

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‘MY HOPE WOULD BE FOR THERE TO BE BETTER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITY HUBS. FROM SUE BRAMLEY AND ALL THE WAY UP TO RIVERGATE AND BEYOND BECAUSE THERE’LL BE OTHER CENTRES NO DOUBT IN THE NEW BUILDING AREA’

‘IT WOULD BE NICE FOR ALL NEIGHBOURS TO COME TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE EVERYONE’S CULTURE.’

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Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

‘COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS - ALL NEIGHBOURS GATHERING TOGETHER ON A FREQUENT BASIS’

‘I WANT TO SEE A DEDICATED MOSQUE SPACE, SOMEWHERE TO GO AND PRAY’

1. MY NEIGHBOURHOOD WILL KEEP ME CONNECTED WITH MY NEIGHBOURS The vision From Riverside to Thames View and Scratton’s Farm, we’re all part a connected Thames Ward and no matter our age, background or beliefs we all feel valued and respected.

Which means: • Across Thames Ward, we want to live in a community where everyone feels welcome and like they belong no matter how long they’ve been in the area for. This means having community spaces to bring people together and get us meeting and chatting to our neighbours more often. These need to include everyone – not just people with children.

• For many of us, it is important to have spaces that are “for us” – and that means our own faith or culture. In particular, for members of the Muslim community, it is essential that dedicated faith space is explored so we don’t have to travel into Barking and beyond to pray.

• Some of us who have lived in Thames Ward for a long time remember a time when the neighbourhood felt more sociable. We’d love to see pubs and social centres opening to bring everyone from the community together. As longer-standing residents we also want to get involved in new community spaces – and not left behind by changes that are happening.

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BRL will help to achieve change by: • Working with Community Solutions (LBBD) to ensure their service is understood and accessed by residents • An events programme co-designed with residents from across the ward • New community spaces • Helping to facilitate new multi-faith spaces and a commitment to work with faith groups to understand their needs and so we can co-create a faith space action plan going forwards

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• A Rivergate centre which is reimagined with residents to ensure it meets local need and works for everyone

Short term indicators of change: • Number of local events • Attendance at local events • Number of Thames Talk users • Number of new co-working spaces opened • Number of residents using co-working spaces • Faith space action plan produced • Residents reporting satisfaction with the Rivergate Centre Long term indicators of change More residents will: • Feel that people from all backgrounds are included and welcomed in local activities and opportunities, and are able to fulfil their potential • Feel that Thames Ward is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together • Believe that Barking Riverside has a strong community ethos built on trust and identity

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‘I WANT TO LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE’S VOICES ARE HEARD AND LOCAL PEOPLE HELP EACH OTHER.’

“I WOULD LIKE LOCAL PEOPLE TO PUT FORWARD IDEAS TO MPS AND COUNCIL WHO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT IDEAS IN LOCAL DECISIONS BEING MADE”

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“ASK RESIDENTS WHAT THEY WANT, WHAT THEY NEED, THIS AREA NEEDS THE INPUT OF LOCAL PEOPLE RATHER THAN WHAT THE DEVELOPERS WANT.”

“I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER IN THE WARD AS I’M SURE THAT THERE ARE GROUPS AND PEOPLE WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM THIS”

Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

2. MY NEIGHBOURHOOD WILL BE SOMEWHERE THAT MY VOICE IS HEARD AND ACTED UPON The vision We all have reliable ways to find out what’s happening locally. We know where to go to have our questions answered or share our views. When we want to, we’re able to influence decision makers and plans for our community.

Which means: • As residents, we want to know where to go to have our questions answered.

Whether it’s a question about our housing management, healthcare, council tax, or whatever else we need to know more clearly so that we can get the right information or support. And it’s not just knowing where to go – but that when we get through we aren’t just left on hold on the phone for hours!

• We also want to see better communication across Thames Ward. There is a lot of great stuff going on already but often we only hear about it when it’s too late! We want to bring back a local newspaper that is distributed to all homes, as well as better updates digitally or on social media so we’re always kept in the loop and can get involved more in local projects.

• It’s important to us that our opinions are taken into account for the changes that affect us locally. Whether it’s the council or BRL – we want to be involved more often in making decisions and setting the agenda, and for changes that are made to be fed back to us too, not just consulted as a oneoff.

BRL will help to make change happen through activities including: • Working with local people to ensure the Community Interest Company (CIC) responsible for estate management responds to residents’ needs

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• Ensuring residents are trained and upskilled to help shape, run and influence the Community Interest Company • A community newsletter that is co-produced with residents • Community Conversation Time events cohosted by residents • BRL’s Community Partnership Offer, which commits to a series of projects and programmes that aim to strengthen the ways that local people can shape and lead life across Thames Ward • New street furniture and notice boards that include places to find out and share local information

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• A website, Thames Talk, that allows residents to find out local news and information

Short term indicators of change: • Number of residents engaging with the CIC • Number of residents who have received CIC training • Number of residents receiving community newsletter • Number of residents taking part in Community Conversation Time events • Community Partnership Offer shared externally • Amount of new street furniture installed • Satisfaction with community newsletter Long term indicators of change More residents will: • Feel they can influence decisions affecting their local area • Regularly volunteer or help out local groups, clubs or organisations • Register their own community interest companies

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‘I’D LIKE A POOL AND A SPORTS CENTRE FOR THE KIDS… MY SON HE WANTS TO GO BUT I CAN’T SEND HIM ALONE TO BARKING.’

“I’D LIKE TO SEE MORE HEALTHY FOOD SHOPS”

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Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

“I WANT IT TO BE EASIER TO GET GP APPOINTMENTS…WITH LESS WAITING TIME”

“MORE WALKING ROUTES - INCLUDING TO THE RIVER”

3. MY NEIGHBOURHOOD WILL IMPROVE MY HEALTH AND WELLBEING The vision Our community keeps each other healthy and well, seeing prevention as important as treatment. We have reliable access to our local GP as well as services and activities which promote wellbeing, including places to exercise and buy fresh fruit and veg.

Which means: • We all want to be able to access a GP health centre that’s easy to get to from where we live and where it’s not too hard to get an appointment and has shorter waiting times, even as more people move into the area.

• We want to have lots of places to buy good quality food near where we live that aren’t too pricey – we want lots of fresh fruit and veg to choose from, and food shops that are owned and run by local residents.

• We’d also like more options for getting fit and active around here. Many of us, particularly young people, would love to have a gym and swimming pool on our doorstep, and one that’s big enough for everyone to have space to use and enjoy.

• We want to have access to local parks that are well maintained with good sports equipment and outdoor gym equipment for all ages.

• We’d love to be able to do more activities by the river including being able to walk and cycle in the area and enjoy the beautiful views and fresh air around there.

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• Opening the Waste and Ecology Centre and ensuring a programme of health and wellbeing focussed programmes have a home there, including growing activities and skills training.

• Creating and improving 25 km of new walking and cycling routes, including supporting the Greenway “off road” cycle route from Thames View into Barking town centre

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• Working with the Council to reopen the Ripple Nature Reserve

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• Involving local people and partners in Healthy New Towns Legacy work, such as strengthening social prescribing

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• Developing plans to work with the Council and NHS to involve residents in local health planning and the design of health and wellbeing services Short term indicators of change: • New Leisure and Health Hub opened • Amount (km) of new walking and cycling routes opened • Ripple Nature Reserve reopened • Number of residents involved in health planning work • Resident satisfaction with green and blue spaces • Opening of Waste and Ecology Centre and number of community users Long term indicators of change More residents will: • Number of residents using future River Thames leisure opportunities and activities

BRL will help improve health and wellbeing by: • Working with people across Thames Ward to enjoy the banks of the River Thames with new leisure opportunities and activities for residents

• Say they get enough exercise to keep healthy

• Working towards opening a new integrated Health and Leisure Hub in the District Centre, with a doctors’ surgery, swimming pool, gym facilities and community spaces

• Say their GP is good

• Feel satisfied with health and social care provision in Barking Riverside • More children will be a healthy weight

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‘I WOULD LIKE THE WARD TO BE A BIT CALMER AND MORE PEACEFUL.’

“I WOULD LOVE TO SEE FACILITIES ON THAMES VIEW FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND SOMETHING TO ENGAGE TEENS AND OLDER KIDS GIVING THEM SOMETHING TO ENJOY AND AT THE SAME TIME KEEP THEM FROM CRIME”

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Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

“I WOULD LIKE A LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE STATION TO BE OPEN.. A PLACE TO REPORT CRIME TO”

“I WANT TO SEE MORE LIGHTING AT NIGHT ALONG THE SHELL PATH”

4. MY NEIGHBOURHOOD WILL BE A SAFE PLACE FOR ME AND MY NEIGHBOURS The vision Having neighbours that look out for each other, better lit routes and streets as well as trusted neighbourhood police means we feel safe and secure wherever we are in the area, day or night.

Which means: • We want Thames Ward to be an area where neighbours look out for each other to help each other feel safe.

• All public spaces need to be well-lit after dark – especially footpaths off the main roads like those that connect Riverside and Thames View (the ‘Shell Path’).

• We also want to know that CCTV cameras are maintained to help prevent crimes happening in the first place.

• As well as more police ‘on the beat’, we want to see local police stations that are properly staffed with officers who we recognise, know and trust to report crimes or ask questions in-person.

• Many of us are parents and we want to feel happy letting our teenagers explore the area independently knowing they’re safe.

Having more exciting activities for young people locally will help keep them out of trouble and create more opportunities for their future.

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To help achieve this, BRL will: • Invest in more CCTV across Barking Riverside • Provide information and an advice pack for residents interested in setting up Neighbourhood Watch groups • Share plans with local people on how BRL designs safe public spaces that lower opportunities for crime • Share how we use data to understand safety and crime in the ward and build strategies around this that keep residents safer.

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Short term indicators of change: • Space opened for new community police hub if there is demand from the Metropolitan Police • Amount of CCTV operational in Barking Riverside • Number of information packs handed out to residents • BRL safety plans made public • Data on crime and safety shared with residents Long term indicators of change Residents will: • Feel safe when outside in the local area during the day • Feel safer when outside in the local area after dark • Report a reduction in crime • Be less affected by anti-social behaviour • Be less likely to be affected by serious youth violence

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‘I’D PREFER LESS TRAFFIC AS THERE’S LOTS OF INDUSTRIAL VEHICLES ON THAMES ROAD’

“FREE LESSONS FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN TO CYCLE”

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“SAFER PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO BARKING TOWN CENTRE”

“I WOULD ANOTHER ROUTE OUT, FROM THE A13 POSSIBLY A ROUTE TO LINK BARKING TO WOOLWICH SO AS TO DECONGEST TRAFFIC.”

Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

5. MY NEIGHBOURHOOD WILL MAKE IT EASY FOR ME TO GET WHERE I NEED TO GO The vision We don’t want to live ‘on an island’ – instead we want Thames Ward to be better connected to Barking and the rest of London, regardless of the transport we use to get around.

Which means: • It’s important that connectivity is improved with regards to the A13 – with safer pedestrian crossings and congestion reduced so that buses run regularly at all times of day and night, including Sundays.

This means we can get in-and out of the area easily, which is important if there’s an emergency.

• We also want to be connected within Thames Ward – with footpaths and crossings that are safe accessible to all – including children and elderly people.

Industrial vehicles and lorries heading towards building sites should be diverted away from the roads that pedestrians and bikes are using.

• Green transport is important to us too – and we welcome more options to walk, cycle or access clean public transport locally. Some of us would like to see more options for electric car charging ports.

• For those of us who drive, we want easy access to parking where we live and want good driving routes in, out of and around Thames Ward.

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BRL and partners will help my neighbourhood become easier to get around through: • Opening of the new Overground station • Transport for London investing in jobs for local residents • An improved bus network • New cycling routes across the ward and into Barking town centre including the Green Way, plus the Cycle Super Highway • A new and improved Cycle Hub where residents can buy, hire, repair and store bikes

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• Bringing the Uber Boat by Thames Clipper to Barking Riverside • Residents having access to regular information updates on progress against planned travel improvements • Addition of more electric car charging points

Short term indicators of change: • New Overground station opened • Number of residents using Overground • Number of local bus journeys • Cycle Hub opened • Opening of Uber Boat by Thames Clipper • Resident satisfaction with updates on travel improvements Long term indicators of change More residents will: • Rate transport as good • Regularly cycle • Use public transport more • The number of cars per household will reduce

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“I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE HOUSES BEING BUILT FOR FAMILIES, BECAUSE THERE’S TOO MANY FLATS”

‘I’D LIKE MY CHILDREN TO LIVE NEARBY… TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO BUY A HOUSE.’

“A VILLAGE TO RETAIN ITS CHARACTER NOT BE OVERDEVELOPED LIKE OTHER BOROUGHS”

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“INSTEAD OF BUILDING SO MANY BLOCKS, THEY SHOULD LEAVE SOME YOU KNOW LOTS OF GREEN SPACE. YOU KNOW FOR PEOPLE ACTUALLY TO GO THERE AND SIT IN IT AND FEEL THE FRESHNESS OF THE AIR RATHER THAN JUST BOMBARDING BUILDINGS ON TOP OF BUILDINGS.”

Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

6. MY NEIGHBOURHOOD WILL BE A PLACE I’M PROUD TO CALL HOME

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The vision Every resident deserves to live in a safe, good quality and well-maintained home. We see ourselves living in Thames Ward into the future.

Which means: • We want to see clear, consistent management of housing where we live, so any complaints we have with our houses are always taken seriously and acted upon quickly.

• We want new housing to be high quality and sustainable, without corners being cut to save costs.

• As well as newly built houses, it’s important to us that existing areas are invested in with quality refurbishments of housing and investment in infrastructure.

• We need to know for sure that we can access housing that is genuinely affordable, and that we won’t be ‘pushed out’ of the area as more people move in and it becomes more expensive.

• Many of us love the character of the area – both Thames View and Riverside have a close-knit feel which is peaceful. We want newly built houses designed to reflect these characteristics.

BRL will help create change through: • Working with residents to define community benefit in relation to the Barking Riverside Community Interest Company • Promote a new good management agreement signed by all housing management companies at Barking Riverside • Build affordable homes • Working with residents, owners and managers of housing across the Barking Riverside estate to promote fire safety • The BRL estate management team working closely with residents and incorporating with the new Community Interest Company

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• Working with the Council and other community groups to take action on fly tipping and litter across the ward

Short term indicators of change: • Number of housing managers signing up to good management agreements • Number of new affordable homes • Satisfaction with estate management Long term indicators of change Fewer residents will: • Live in overcrowded households • Complain about noise • Report fly tipping • Complain about estate management

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“I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES TO GO TO IN PERSON NOT JUST HAVE EVERYTHING ONLINE”

‘I’D LIKE TO SEE A LOCAL TRAINING CENTRE FOR ADULTS WITH EVENING COURSES- AT THE MOMENT YOU HAVE TO GO TO BARKING.’

“FOR THE SCHOOLS IN THAMES WARD TO ENSURE THEY GIVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS WOULD BE GIVEN TO KIDS IF THEY WERE LIVING IN RICHMOND OR TEDDINGTON…”

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“OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEXT GENERATION FOR EXAMPLE WHEN THEY LEAVE SCHOOL, JOB SCHEMES AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREA…”

Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

7. MY NEIGHBOURHOOD WILL SUPPORT ME TO ACHIEVE MY POTENTIAL

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The vision We are ambitious, skilled and confident and will be the first in line for local jobs or support to start our own businesses. Our young people go to great local schools and want to stay in the area after education or training.

• Creating a digital map that details local businesses and entrepreneurs working in Thames Ward

Which means: • We want to see more training and job opportunities created for local residents that are well promoted locally. The new industries that are soon coming to the area with the new station (TFL) and shopping centre should provide great jobs that should be prioritised for local residents.

• Exploring a place-making focussed youth leadership programme created with local young people across the Ward

• We want to be sure that with the new people moving into the area, there are enough schools to make sure every young person in the Ward has an excellent education and access to state-of-the-art facilities.

• Adult learning matters too! We want the local offer for apprenticeships and adult learning to be something we are proud of, encouraging people of all ages to stay in the area.

• More funding and guidance should be offered to residents to start businesses or community interest companies. This includes discounted rates on renting space and tailored support and training for residents to get involved. We want to make sure that local talent stays in the area.

BRL will work with partners to deliver: • A local construction training programme • Supporting a resident led English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL) programme • Co-working spaces for residents to work, meet other like-minded entrepreneurs and be supported to grow their business ideas • Mentorship opportunities for resident entrepreneurs, both through partnerships and when new co-working spaces are opened • Pop-up job shops coming to Thames Ward

• Working with BRL’s Employment Training and Skills Coordinator to ensure opportunities for local employment consider other industries outside of construction

• 4 new schools being built and opened, with another 3 to open in the future • Create a strategy to attract new academic institutions to the ward

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Short term indicators of change: • Number of residents enrolled in local construction programme • Number of residents enrolling in ESOL programme • Number of resident entrepreneurs mentored • Digital map launched • Number of young people involved in youth leadership programme • Number of new schools opened • Number of academic institutions moving into ward Long term indicators of change More children will: • Achieve Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs • Go to schools with an Ofsted rating of 1or2 More residents will: • be satisfied with job opportunities available locally • be satisfied with education provision locally • Have qualifications

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‘I WANT A LOCAL CENTRE WITH BETTER SHOPS INCLUDING A GOOD SUPERMARKET THAT MEANS YOU DON’T HAVE TO TAKE THE BUS TO GO SHOPPING!’

“THE FARR AVENUE SHOPS NEED INVESTMENT.”

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Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

“IT’S JUST THAT WE NEED MORE COLOUR...

I KNOW THAT SOUNDS STRANGE...I JUST THINK IT COULD BE A BIT BRIGHTER!”

“MORE ACTIVITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES LIKE SPORTS AND WORKSHOPS”

8. MY NEIGHBOURHOOD WILL BE SOMEWHERE FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE EXCITED TO SPEND TIME The vision There’s something for everyone to do locally and we don’t have to travel far to get the essentials that we need. We’re excited by having more places to shop, eat out and be entertained Which means: • We want to see shopping centres locally with a wide range of facilities for entertainment, such as a cinema and food outlets. This will mean that when we need to buy something or have some free time we don’t always have to travel into Barking or further afield.

• We want activities and events to appeal to a wide range of people, with things tailored for you whether you’re a child, teenager or elderly resident.

• We will have a better variety of places to shop, especially when it comes to affordable food shopping.

• It’s important to us that businesses and activities available locally are often free and affordable, and don’t price out local residents from taking part and enjoying them.

To make this happen, BRL will offer residents: • A regular programme of local events designed in collaboration with residents • Opportunities to help decide the placemaking opportunities in the district centre • Improved booking systems for existing community spaces e.g. Rivergate Centre • New retail, community services, leisure and entertainment facilities in the emerging neighbourhoods that are tailored to the needs of everyone across Thames Ward • A new series of venues and activities at the River Thames, with sports and exercise for a wide range of residents

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Short term indicators of change: • Number of residents attending local events • Amount of new retail, leisure and entertainment facilities opened in district centre • Number of venues and activities opening on the River Thames • Perceptions of new booking system at Rivergate Long term indicators of change More residents will: • Report satisfaction with built environment (buildings, road, pavements, paths etc.)

• Take part in local clubs, societies, sports and leisure • Be satisfied with the local indoor and outdoor leisure spaces in Barking Riverside

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‘I WOULD LOVE TO SEE LOTS OF TREES…TREES THAT WILL BLOSSOM AND PROVIDE NECTAR FOR BEES AND BIRDS.’

“I’D LIKE THAMES WARD TO BE A CARBON NEGATIVE AREA. IT NEEDS TO GREEN UP...AND I DON’T MEAN BY GREENERY. I MEAN, WE NEED THINGS LIKE SOLAR PANELS, MAYBE A WINDMILL, A PROPER RECYCLING CENTRE”

“IT COULD BE A VERY NICE RIVERSIDE FRONT…LIKE A SEASIDE FRONT DOWN THERE WITH BUILDINGS, LEISURE CRUISES AND A BEACH”

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Our Thames Ward: Resident Vision for the future of Thames Ward

‘’I’D LIKE THE GREEN AREAS BETTER MAINTAINED BY THE COUNCIL…’

9. MY NEIGHBOURHOOD WILL LOVE AND CARE FOR ITS NATURAL AND OUTDOOR SPACES The vision We care a lot about our environment and want to spend more time enjoying our natural spaces and local wildlife. Our parks, river and outdoor spaces are beautiful and well loved.

Thames Ward is a green and sustainable neighbourhood.

Which means: • We all want access to beautiful, welcoming outdoor spaces that feel loved and owned by us.

• This includes parks which are safe and fun for people of all ages and backgrounds with different sports and activities to try.

• We also want to make the most of the river with a chance to explore its wildlife and do activities nearby.

• We care a lot about our public and outdoor spaces being well-maintained, clean and tidy with zero tolerance for fly-tipping and rubbish.

• We want our neighbourhood to be a place we’re proud to show to friends and family.

To help my neighbourhood be green and sustainable BRL will deliver: • 7 new parks, providing residents with more safe and accessible greenspace • Routes and wayfinding that makes it easier for residents to find their way around and enjoy outdoor spaces across the ward • Publically available sustainability information that is accessible to local people • Expand the ENVAC waste collection system to new homes where feasible • A new Ecology Centre that allows residents from across the Ward to connect with and understand the unique ecology of the River Thames and other ecological areas

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• University of East London project to support sustainable green businesses

Short term indicators of change: • Number of new parks opened • Number of new routes opened • Sustainability information made public • Number of homes with ENVAC system • Ecology Centre opened • Number of residents visiting Ecology Centre • Number of green businesses supported locally Long term indicators of change Residents will: • Have increased access to local parks • See local natural spaces as accessible and high quality

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Thanks for taking the time to read about Thames Futures.

If you would like to watch a short video about the project or if you would like to view this booklet digitally please head to the Barking Riverside website: barkingriverside.london/the-place/social-impact If you would like to contact us about this project please email us: community@barkingriverside.london