Chair yoga and healthy cookery classes are just two of the many free classes available to residents in the borough, as Every One Every Day publishes its latest programme of events.
Over the next eight weeks, there will be more than 50 free community get togethers arranged in Barking and Dagenham from cooking, making, learning or growing, to fixing, trading, sharing or eating.
Classes include discovering how to take great photographs, setting up a play street or becoming a bee keeper.
The community driven initiative is the largest in the country. It launched in November last year with a packed day of events and an ambitious aim of working with over 25,000 residents in the next five years.
Something for everyone
Tessy Britton, Chief Executive of Participatory City Foundation, the organisation that set up Every One Every Day in partnership with the council, said: “We are pleased to announce the latest round of exciting projects that people can get involved in.
“Our inclusive collaborative model means there is something for everyone – and if there isn’t, then we can work with people to make their visions become a reality.”
Every One Every Day opened two shops – one on Ripple Road, Barking, and one on Church Elm Lane, Dagenham. The initiative plans to open two additional shops later this year, one in Chadwell Heath and one in the Becontree or Valence area.
Shape neighbourhoods
Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, said: “The project has already brought people across the borough together and the latest plans are even more exciting as the initiative grows and develops.
“This is just one of the many initiatives local people are taking part in to shape the neighbourhoods where they live.”
The £7.2million project has received funding from The Big Lottery Fund, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation, and Barking and Dagenham Council.