Barking and Dagenham Council’s seventh Women’s Empowerment Awards ceremony took place this week, recognising and celebrating the outstanding achievements of women across the borough.

 

The inspirational finalists were chosen by a panel of judges, who also had the difficult task of choosing the ultimate winners of the eight categories on the night at The Broadway Theatre, Barking.

 

Boxing legend Frank Bruno MBE has today announced an exciting new UK headquarters for his mental health and wellbeing foundation in the East London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. 

 

Once a resident of the borough, the new wellness hub marks a major personal milestone for the Frank, as well as for the growth of the Foundation as it looks to work closely with Barking and Dagenham to provide vital support for residents. 

 

Households across the borough are being urged to be first in line to get their £150 energy bill rebate by setting up direct debits for their council tax payments.

For those who are in council tax bands A to D, they will receive the one-off payment, paid into their bank account in May to help with the increased cost of living.

Signing up to pay their council tax by direct debit means the council will have all the information required to make the payment as soon as it is available.

An Arts Award Discover project set up by Barking and Dagenham’s Cultural Education Partnership, Inspiring Futures, was the largest in the country in the 2021/22 financial year, with a huge cohort of 1,664 young people achieving the award.

Plans on how residents and businesses will benefit from the arrival of London’s biggest film studio development in the borough have been revealed by Barking and Dagenham Council today.

Proposals include Careers Events, Industry focused Workshops, apprenticeships, mentorship schemes, business support and professional development for teachers.

There are also plans to create a database of local businesses that can help the studios and visiting productions meet their skills and supply chain needs, while also encouraging a more diverse workforce for the sector.

Exciting plans for a new children’s playground in Eastbrookend Country Park have been unveiled, promising fun and exercise for youngsters.



The new playground, which is being built next to the park’s Discovery Centre, will feature swings, slides, a climbing frame, balance beams and sensory play facilities to stimulate fine motor and language skills, offering adventurous play for children aged 2 to 12.



The design uses natural wood with teal and subtle green highlights, helping to create an attractive play area that complements the parks landscape.

Residents of Barking and Dagenham interested in a career or work in the construction industry are now able to benefit from a new training centre right on their doorstep.

Another 50 trees are being planted across the borough, as part of Barking and Dagenham Council’s drive to be the green capital of the capital. 

 

The trees will be planted at primary schools, and in nearby streets and green spaces with the aim of improving air quality and biodiversity.

 

The votes are in! Zubin Burley, 14, has been elected as the new Young Mayor of Barking and Dagenham.

Zubin was recently voted into the role by his peers in the Barking and Dagenham Youth Forum, picking up the baton from his predecessor, Labella Anum.

The new Young Mayor has been a member of the youth forum for the past year and was keen to stand for the position. 

After being elected, Zubin said: “I see it as an honour to represent the young people of Barking and Dagenham.

Children and young people in Barking and Dagenham came together at a rousing climate crisis summit this week to learn more about environmental challenges and voice passionate views on what should happen to protect the planet for future generations. 

180 young people from across 31 schools, learned more about the council’s Carbon Neutral Roadmap, which seeks to make the borough carbon neutral by 2030, two decades ahead of the UK's overall target.