A Year of Spaces & Places
Over the past year, Spaces + Places has been working with residents (Neighbourhood Stewards) across Barking and Dagenham to shape how £1 million could be invested in local spaces and places. Alongside the development of project ideas and business cases, the programme has also created space for residents to build confidence, skills and experience in leading change.
The programme was designed to allow Neighbourhood Stewards to explore, question and develop ideas over time. The objective of coming up with ideas for investment was clear but how to get there was a work in progress where we learned to work with uncertainty, challenge one another’s thinking, and contribute honestly.
Neighbourhood Stewards spent time researching facts about the Borough, visiting places and learning from community projects from around the country. We mapped out what was already in the borough and explored the gaps to start formulating ideas for the need and opportunities that already existed. This led to developing 25 ideas, 5 of which were presented to the Board.
Board meetings provided a great opportunity for Neighbourhood Stewards to share their ideas and the development of them.
“So proud to have spoken to the Board. I learnt a lot from others and about myself. This was an invaluable opportunity and not an easy opportunity to get. Being challenged at the Board and having to think on my feet was invaluable.”
Each board meeting was a moment of progression where ideas were refined into proposals and then into robust business cases. The final two ideas were a Festival of Movement and an Creative Youth Hub for young people. The development of these ideas saw the Stewards take on new challenges such as writing business cases, financial planning, and carrying out research. With support from external experts, Stewards developed practical skills and confidence in the refining of logistics, planning and budgeting of their ideas.
Looking Ahead
As Spaces + Places moves into its next phase in 2026, attention turns to delivery. We are determined to retain meaningful resident leadership as the two projects move into more formal structures and decision-making processes.
We will be working towards delivering a half marathon and other sporting activities as part of the Festival of Movement and acquiring a building and engaging the creative community with the Creative Hub.
2026 will be a year of planning and action ensuring the projects are grounded in local knowledge and shaped by the people who live in Barking and Dagenham.
