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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