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Inside Thames Life: The architect of social-wellbeing

As many of us do, I started the year with a resolution to give up terrible reality tv and hopefully spend more time reading. This meant cancelling my Netflix subscription and opting for a lighter dose of better-written tv through Disney+ and AppleTV+. Well, a friend recommended the show “Paradise” and if you haven’t watched it yet and don’t want a spoiler probably stop reading. I won’t spoil the storyline too much but it is set in an underground city full of people (chosen to be there), following a so-called doomsday event three years prior.

This blog is named after an episode where one of the characters talks through how she helped design the psychological aspects of the city, coining her role as “the architect of social wellbeing,” one about ensuring that the community don’t just survive but thrive there. It made me think about Barking Riverside. This new town, being designed around me, and I wondered whether the various planners and developers have been walking through similar thought processes. A desire to create a town that isn’t just for surviving but for thriving.

This will be my last written blog for a while in my capacity as Communications Lead, as I head off on maternity leave. As my young family grows once again, I can’t help but think about how living here makes me feel. I love walking around and knowing that I’m likely to see a familiar face. Living around people you know provides a feeling of safety and community. In my opinion, this isn’t the result of high-density living but a major effort of community organisations to bring people together, to spark dialogue between the diverse population and to bring fun to a place that can sometimes feel like a ghost town.

I also love having access to the River Thames. It makes such a difference walking along the shoreline and experiencing nature amongst the back drop of the development. Travelling on the Uberboat has also been an easy way for my family of four to get to Central London without the daunting tube stations and stairs. It’s meant lovely mornings, with a hot drink in hand, watching swans race against us, as my kids are mesmerised by their speed. A planning decision I applaud and am grateful for. However, there are many times where I wish I didn’t need to travel far to engage with interactive spaces.

Thinking of the future of my family and as the architect of social well-being for my own life, it’s important in deciding where one lives to think about what makes people thrive. For me, it’s the smell of freshly baked bread in the morning at a local bakery. It’s access to a hub of activity – a place for sport, art, culture that isn’t seasonal. It’s the Barking Food Forest, a community-gardening, resident-led space that has genuinely changed my lifestyle in allowing my family and so many others to get outdoors and enjoy nature every weekend. And ultimately, it’s living in a home built to last, with character and scope to grow, as our family grows.

Zainab Jalloh

Communications Lead

First Aid and Resilience Day

The idea for this event came to me after attending a talk at St. Patrick’s Church. Julie Taylor, who tragically lost her grandson to knife crime, was sharing her family’s experience and raising awareness by donating catastrophic bleed kits. Her message resonated with me—everyone should have basic knowledge of how to respond in an emergency.

With that thought in mind, I began discussions with members of the Ripple Effect Resident Group in the summer of 2024. Our initial focus was on securing a defibrillator for the Curzon Community Club. As the conversations evolved, it became clear that we needed to do more—we needed a First Aid course that would equip residents with lifesaving skills.

Thanks to ongoing discussions, we secured the installation of a defibrillator at the Curzon Club through the British Heart Foundation. But we didn’t stop there. The London Fire Brigade, after delivering an insightful session at another event, inspired the creation of a larger First Aid and Resilience Day. We invited them to speak, along with the Environment Agency, which provided guidance on flood preparedness. Additionally, Rev. Unesu from Christ Church joined us to share how the church supports the community in times of crisis—like during the Barking Riverside fire in 2019.

Around 40 people joined us, eager to learn and prepare for emergencies. The event kicked off with an engaging two-hour session from the Red Cross. Covering essential skills—how to respond to a collapse, heart attacks, choking, major bleeding, and the use of a defibrillator. Every participant walked away with new knowledge and a certificate recognizing their training.

After the session, we gathered for lunch, before diving into more discussions on resilience.

Post-lunch, the London Fire Brigade arrived—fire engine included! Darren, their team leader, delivered a talk on fire prevention and the importance of alarms. Attendees asked plenty of questions, eager to learn.

Next, the Environment Agency educated us on flood risks and early warning systems. Residents were encouraged to sign up for alerts and provided with a link to download the Environment Agency App—a small step that could make a huge difference in a crisis.

Our final speaker, Rev. Unesu from Christ Church, spoke passionately about the church’s vital role in emergency response. She shared how, after the devastating Barking Riverside fire, the church became a sanctuary—offering showers, washing machines, toilets, and hot meals to those in need. As a church that has served as a night shelter, Christ Church is well-equipped to support the community in times of crisis.

The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive—many people expressed how valuable the day had been. Events like these not only equip us with lifesaving skills but also bring us together as a community, reinforcing the importance of being prepared.

With such a strong response, I hope to organise more events in the future, continuing to build a resilient, informed, and empowered community.

Would you be interested in attending a future session? Let’s keep the conversation going and make our neighbourhoods safer for everyone.

Marion Hull

Community Organiser

Finding Home in Barking Riverside: Richard’s Journey Through High-Density Living

When Richard and his family moved to De Pass Gardens in Barking Riverside in 2013, the future seemed bright. The newly developed area promised affordable rents, modern homes, and a vision of green spaces and community living. With his family, Richard embraced the idea of a fresh start in this neighbourhood.

At first, life in Barking Riverside delivered on its promises. The family enjoyed a healthier lifestyle with green spaces, cycling paths, and some amenities just a short walk away. Richard recalls the excitement of living in a modern, spacious home with an extra bedroom, coupled with the allure of a skyline view. Friends who visited would often comment on how fortunate they were to have found such a gem in East London.

But as the years passed, the cracks began to show. What was once an idyllic lifestyle slowly became burdened by the realities of high-density living. Traffic congestion grew with the regeneration projects, turning simple school drop-offs into 40-minute journeys. Richard found himself waking earlier and leaving the house hours before work just to avoid the traffic. Fines for using restricted roads added to the strain, and eventually, he had to cut down his office days, working from home more frequently to cope with the mounting stress, and also thereafter deciding to home-educate his children.

The rapid growth in population only worsened matters. Overcrowding became the norm, parking spaces felt scarce, and essential services like GPs and schools struggled to keep up. While plans for better infrastructure are in motion, it is still a waiting game for residents like Richard, who worry about the long-term impact on their families.

Yet, amidst the challenges, Richard has found solace in the sense of community that has blossomed in Barking Riverside. He plays an active role in neighbourhood initiatives, from tackling maintenance issues to keeping residents informed about local developments. “It’s the people here that keep us going,” he admits, highlighting the power of collective effort in navigating life in a high-density area.

Looking ahead, Richard hopes for faster progress in bringing essential services closer to home. His ideas, like weekly health clinics at local schools and more immediate access to GP hubs, reflect the urgent needs of the community. As he puts it, “We moved here for a better future – it’s time we saw that vision come to life.”

Through the highs and lows, Richard’s story is a reminder of the importance of thoughtful urban planning and the resilience of communities. Together, residents and developers have the chance to build not just houses, but a thriving, sustainable neighbourhood in Barking Riverside.

Inside Thames Life: Championing change, together

In all the roles I’ve had in my professional career, my time at Thames Life has been the most profound, this is all down to the fact that the work revolves solely around people and championing the rights of one another. I have always been interested in people and their experiences, but I never imagined myself as a community worker, after all, as they say no one does it for the money.

Thanks to the residents and fellow workforces of Barking and Dagenham, I’ve had two years of passionate enrichment. I’ve heard hundreds of stories and been deeply touched by the love and kindness of those I have worked with. I’ve been amazed by the resilience and compassion people have for each other, despite living in such a deprived and unfair society and been met with absolute enthusiasm and passion for positive change by the youngest of minds.

It isn’t easy living here. We long for provision! We as people of this borough are pleading for just enough to ensure our community survives because we know with just a few changes, we will thrive. Fresh faces and maverick ideas with genuine hearts will bring us forward and advance the borough into the ever-changing future. It really is time for better standards, better ethics and love.

Thank you to my family, friends and colleagues and most of all thank you to all the residents who have trusted and supported me throughout my time in this role. I’m not going far so you can bet you’ll see me around in and amongst the fabric of our wonderful community.

There are so many incredibly hard-working people in the voluntary sector but the problem is we work far too hard. It’s time to start working smart, as they say if you want to go far, go together.

Lucy Lee

Health Outreach Officer

Housing keeps me up at night

I wouldn’t want to exaggerate the matter but I have in recent times found myself thinking a lot about my housing situation and the current environment a generation of people like me find ourselves in. I’m a millennial and the reality is hitting home that I am part of a generation who is not only poorer than our parents but it’s also highly probable that I won’t be able to buy my own home. Definitely not in London anyway. My only option for home ownership in London is the notorious shared ownership housing scheme, which will never work for me because in my opinion leasehold will never truly be ownership, never mind the soaring costs.

So, what does a young family of four like mine do? We rent privately for the time being, save up as much as we can, manage small investments and aspire for a life away from profit driven housing developments, to spaces where a real home with uniqueness and character can be ours for generations. It’s funny how that increasingly sounds like a fairy-tale but I’m optimistic. Unfortunately, for housing developments like the one I live on currently, increased density isn’t part of my wish list.

There are a few personal and key reasons why. Starting with money. For investors more housing units would be attractive. The land is lucrative; charges increase and housing becomes more expensive, making the rich richer. However, for many of us the housing will become unaffordable, forcing us to sever our local ties and be pushed further out of London.

Secondly, density without fit-for-purpose community spaces and basic amenities never did breed social cohesion and a safe community. If our reality is living in boxes, it’s absolutely vital that we have spaces to enjoy nature, to gather, to be creative. On a basic level though, it’s about being able to complete the weekly grocery shop at an affordable supermarket without having to jump on a bus or get on a train with all the shopping. I would challenge any housing planner to do that with kids in tow.

Further, the fact that just a few years ago we experienced a global pandemic, it is baffling to me that health is not at the forefront of planning. Increased density without a health facility means in real terms that when I call my health provider at 8am instead of being 50^th in the queue, I won’t get through to anyone.

I could go on but I really want to end on a lighter note. Housing really is a nightmare affecting local people but I want to share an actual dream I had. I had a dream that Barking Riverside was filled with pockets of houses surrounded by greenery and the serene of the River Thames. In the dream, I walked through one of the houses, it was terracotta, a space built with thoughtful materials, lots of natural light and exquisite furniture. The climax though was asking the agent the price to buy and the response made me realise I was in fact dreaming. That may have been the case in this instance but maybe we start with a dream to realise the possibility, maybe here change is gonna come.

Zainab

Communications & Outreach Officer

Inside Thames Life: Meet Narash, our newest team member!

From East London to Freelancing: My Journey of Growth, Learning, and Communication

Hello! My name is Narash, and I’m thrilled to share a little bit about myself, my passions, and the values that shape who I am today. Curiosity has always been at the heart of who I am, fuelling my passion for learning and discovery. Born and raised in East London, I have cherished my roots, embracing a rich tapestry of culture, diversity, and vibrant life experiences. As a family-oriented person, I find immense joy in nurturing meaningful connections that transcend boundaries.

A Career Built on Communication and Coordination

My professional journey has been diverse, starting with a career in banking, where I learned the importance of structure and precision. But my true passion lies in bringing people together and facilitating communication. I currently freelance as an Administration & Coordination Project Manager at Thames Life, where I help streamline processes, manage projects, and ensure that things run smoothly.

What I love most about my work is the power of communication. It’s amazing how investing time and effort into effective communication can help break down barriers—especially for those whose first language isn’t English. I’m passionate about helping people connect, whether in the workplace, within a community, or through collaborative efforts. Being part of a community is something I truly value. I understand the importance of belonging and the positive impact it can have on individuals and society as a whole.

A Family-Oriented Foundation

Family has always been at the heart of everything I do. Growing up, my family played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today. It’s this foundation that inspired me to help set up our family business, and it continues to motivate me in everything I do, especially in my career. I’m married with three children, and I’m blessed to have them in my life, keeping me grounded and motivated to give my very best every day. Becoming a mum was the most rewarding and defining moment of my life, and I strive to be a positive role model for my children—showing them the importance of hard work, integrity, and following their dreams. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me enjoying long walks or heading out to try a new restaurant with my family.

A Love for Eastern and Western Cultures

One of the things that excites me most is the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. From the music I listen to, which blends both worlds, to the food I enjoy, I’m fascinated by how the best of both sides come together to create something unique. I also love exploring how fashion, food, and traditions from both sides of the world can mix to form something exciting and new.

Goals and Aspirations

Looking ahead, my goals are simple yet meaningful: to continue growing, both personally and professionally, and to build a brand for myself that reflects my values of honesty, communication, and community. Every step I take is towards creating something that I can be proud of and that will benefit both myself and those around me.

Thank you for taking the time to read a little about my journey. I hope you find something here that resonates with you, and I look forward to sharing more as I continue to grow, learn, and bring people together.

Narash

Administration & Coordination Project Manager

Inside Thames Life: Barking Riverside and Thames View Community Plan

Thames Life is pleased to present a report which has been collaboratively produced with Dr. Pablo Sendra’s team at the UCL School of Bartlett. The report is a community plan which was crafted in a series of workshops with residents from Thames View and Barking Riverside. The report details findings in which residents were placed at the center of co-designing how social infrastructure should be constructed in Barking Riverside to meet demand. The densification of Barking Riverside, planning application for additional homes rising to 20,000 and the additional 5000 homes in Thames Road, according to the views of a significant sample size of residents, requires the creation of further social infrastructure.

Social infrastructure reigns in on a variety of different elements that enable the practical participation of local people in organised or disorganised spaces of activity. Put simply, if residents want to meet informally to socialise, express or interact with each other based on cultural values, or for the purposes of human, face to face interaction, these spaces must be ‘planned for’ to allow these interactions the physical space to take place. In complementary fashion, social spaces which are more formal such as nurseries, play parks, health facilities (which allow for social prescribing and activities), locations for sports, youth centers, arts, culture and performance spaces and lastly, community centers. Green, and blue spaces also operate to serve resident need for ecology, as community allotments. Creekmouth open space, the Barking Food Forest, Ripple Nature Reserve, Ripple Greenway and Footpath 47 begin to serve as crucial spaces in the natural environment for the needs of local people.

The report, diligently produced by UCL in collaboration with residents engaged with through Thames Life contains the granular details of opening the wider picture in the midst of London developments promoted by the GLA such as opportunities areas, and resident views correlated with the Local and London Plans. The audit of pre-existing social infrastructure highlights what is missing, and what needs to be done to make up for the shortfall.

Thames Life embarked on this venture with UCL while the Every One Every Day Warehouse was still open, with the original intention to keep it open with this community plan. As we discovered – this was not possible. The community plan changed shape and became what is published today. We Thank UCL and the Bartlett School of Planning and the Just Space network in considering our small patch of London, and the future of residents living here.

Vishal Narayan, Community Organiser and Regeneration Officer.

To read the report, click on the link: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10193733/

Introducing Our New Community Organiser for Barking Food Forest and our Volunteer Orientation Day!

I am thrilled to introduce myself as your new Community Organiser for the Barking Food Forest. My name is Laurelle Darroux, and I am passionate about community building, sustainability, and creating green spaces that benefit us all. As we embark on this exciting journey together, I want to share a bit about myself and invite you to join me in transforming our community.

About Me:

With a background in community engagement, I believe in fostering an inclusive, vibrant, and resilient local community. My goal is to work with all of you to turn the Barking Food Forest into a thriving space where we can grow healthy food, learn together, and connect with nature.

The Vision for Barking Food Forest:

The Barking Food Forest is more than just a green space; it’s a community-led initiative to cultivate a sustainable and edible landscape. Here, we will grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and native plants, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that supports biodiversity and provides fresh produce for our community. It will also offer a communal space for many varied community events. Ultimately the Thames Life Trust through the Community Organiser, would like the community garden to be independently operated by a community of volunteers headed by a committee of local volunteer gardeners.

Our vision includes:

Educational Workshops: Learn about permaculture, sustainable gardening, and healthy eating.

Community Gatherings: Connect with your neighbours through seasonal events and volunteer days.

Environmental Stewardship: Promote biodiversity and enhance our local environment.

Food Security: Provide access to fresh, healthy, and locally grown food for everyone by our own volunteer gardeners.

Calling All Volunteers!

To bring this vision to life, we need your help! Whether you have a green thumb or are just eager to get involved, there are many ways you can contribute:

Gardening and Planting: Help us plant and maintain the garden beds, fruit trees, and herb patches. This includes watering and caring for these with some light general gardening, grass cutting, uprooting weeds, general pruning;

Landscaping: woodcutting and design of the spaces, building fences and deck area

Event Planning: Assist with organizing workshops, community events, and educational programs.

Outreach and Promotion: Spread the word about our project and recruit more volunteers.

Sustainable Practices: Share your knowledge on composting, water conservation, and other eco-friendly practices.

How to Get Involved:

Volunteering with the Barking Food Forest is a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, improve your mental wellbeing and make a tangible impact in our community. Here’s how you can get started:

Sign Up: Visit our website link https://airtable.com/appbfNa8NKs1hJ6ad/pagFXX46RVRP1UbXE/form to sign up as a volunteer. You can choose your areas of interest and availability.

Stay Informed: Follow us on social media https://www.instagram.com/barkingfoodforest/ for updates on upcoming events, volunteer days, and community meetings.

Join Us at Our Next Event: We have a volunteer orientation coming up on Saturday August 10th 2024, from 10am to 2pm. This is a great chance to meet fellow volunteers, learn more about the project from the BFF team, and start getting your hands dirty!

Address: Barking Food Forest, Fielders Crescent, IG11 0FU.

Together, We Can Grow a Greener Future

I am incredibly excited to work alongside all of you to make the Barking Food Forest a flourishing community space. Your participation and support are crucial to our success. Let’s come together to create a greener, healthier and more connected community.

Thank you, and I look forward to meeting you all in person!

Laurelle Darroux

Community Organiser for Barking Food Forest at Thames Life

Meet Marion, Our Green Up Community Organiser

Having the opportunity to work for Thames Life, is a complete change of career. My background is in nursing. Over the last couple of years I have become more involved with organising events in the community. I am a Church Warden for St Patrick’s Church and co-leader of a volunteer litter picking group called Roding Rubbish. I became Chair of the Ripple Effect Resident Group in November last year and I try to make each meeting interesting with guest speakers from all kinds of backgrounds.

I will take what I learn from working with Thames Life to improve my skills as a Community Organiser.

Through the Green-Up initiative I am keen to motivate people to have an interest in the environment and a sense of pride in keeping their area clean for people and wildlife. Motivating people to join in these activities is good for their Wellbeing and promotes gentle exercise. Therefore I am making connections to have the expertise of a yoga instructor to help promote gentle exercises anyone can do. Group activities can stimulate conversations, which leads to friendships. For some residents this might be the only time they have contact with other people so it is extremely important to them.

If you would like more information on the activities in the communit contact marion@thames-life.org.uk

Marion Hull

Green Up Community Organiser

Inside Thames Life: Healthcare done differently

If you’d told me I would be the community lead designing and organising an award-winning project with NHS clinical director/GP Dr Jagan John, GP Dr Nadia Saeed and the LBBD’s head of universal services Zoinul Abidin, that would change how healthcare is delivered in the borough, I would have laughed you right out of my workshop.

It was never in my plan to be a community worker, I am the owner of a small business Houseofloulee.co.uk creating African print clothing & gifts for all. This allowed me to spend time in my local community, attending meetings like Friends of The Ripple Nature Reserve, engaging in talks with local stakeholders to ensure its re-opened. However, I felt drawn towards creating a large positive impact on society, so when offered the opportunity to join Thames Life as their Health Outreach Officer it felt like the universe was taunting me.

A year and a half later, 13 Drop-in Clinics delivered, and it was the winner of the Royal Collage of GP’s Northeast London Faculty Recognition Award for best Collaborative Project of The Year 2023. Working with the most community passionate people I’ve ever connected with (every community group, NHS and council worker who has unconditionally supported us on this journey) and championed the whole way by Thame Life CEO Matt Scott. Thanks Matt.

The Drop-in-Clinics were a straight-up pop-up, for health checks and seeing a doctor, however after our first clinic it was clear we were missing the trick! 40% of attendees didn’t need to see a doctor but weren’t having any luck anywhere else with other needs, I immediately knew what I had to do. There were already community groups working to support the health and social needs in our community and if we brought the council services on board, we might just have something!

Now, not only are you able to see a doctor without an appointment in a local hub, you also can relax, enjoy yummy food, play board games, socialise with other residents, children can play comfortably, whilst accessing multiple services such as a free hand or shoulder massage, housing and financial advice, mental health support and free local activities, basically a health & wellbeing bonanza. Word on the clinics success got around which resulted in sponsorship from Barking Riverside Limited, with our larger council funded clinics focused on the African & Caribbean community, children & families, rough sleepers & asylum seekers and Diabetes patients.

The next Drop-in Clinic:

26th July – Thames View Playing Fields– 12-5pm (Open to all)