On Wednesday 22 February, Her Worshipful the Mayor, Cllr Edna Fergus, was presented with a cheque of £1,000 for her nominated charities from Al-Madina Mosque in Barking, at the opening of a brand-new sensory service.

The Sensory Hive is a community-based service that has been inspired by occupational therapy, wellbeing and educational concepts and opened at Al-Madina Mosque.

I am grateful that the resource is being made available to the council and other community groups. I want to thank the management of Al-Madina Mosque for leading the way in creating this hive and for their continuous generosity and donating to my chosen charities, Refuge and Hestia

It comprises of a much-needed sensory room and is a holistic service which aims to support children and young people with learning disabilities.

The Mayor was invited to the opening of the new service and after her speech, was presented with the cheque for her chosen charities - Refuge and Hestia.

Her Worshipful the Mayor said: “I think it is important that we embrace collaborative working. Al-Madina mosque, The Hive Women’s Centre, Activ8tion and Hands Of Joy have all come together for this project and it is important we now maximise the use of resources and skills available to us and hope we can work together and support each other.

“I am grateful that the resource is being made available to the council and other community groups. I want to thank the management of Al-Madina Mosque for leading the way in creating this hive and for their continuous generosity and donating to my chosen charities, Refuge and Hestia.”