Recognition for our First Social Investment
We are delighted that our investment in The Boathouse CIC has been shortlisted for the Social Investment Deal of the Year at the UK Social Enterprise Awards 2024. The £75,000 investment is notable for many reasons, not least because it forms part of the GROW Fund investment portfolio, which is the first 100% community-led investment […]
New Social Infrastructure Contract
We are thrilled to share that BD_Collective, via Barking & Dagenham Giving, has secured the Council’s social infrastructure contract! Through the collective efforts of social sector partners we secured the social infrastructure contract for three years. This accomplishment enables Barking and Dagenham’s voluntary, community, social enterprise (VCSE) and faith sectors to continue to strengthen community support […]
Local changemakers seek new ideas
Be a Disruptive Explorer Over the last three years, a small group of dedicated local organisations have been meeting regularly to discuss how to change the who and how of decision-making in Barking and Dagenham. Now you can join them! Calling ourselves the Disruptive Explorers, we want to make sure everyone has a say in […]
Money isn’t enough
Building a resilient community means addressing not only economic disparities but the social and emotional barriers residents in our borough face.
BD Giving Notes #57 – Through the Looking Glass
Going forwards, I want to make sure that I am more present in decision-making processes Sophie Miles In our latest BDG Note, Programme Officer Sophie Miles looks back on her Deep Democracy training and how she is utilising it in her work. I went into the training with a bit of an understanding about facilitation and Deep […]
A rich history and equally bright future for the Boathouse
From grant funding to social investment For Carole Pluckrose, it all started at a building site. Recently the team from BD Giving stood at the entrance of The Boathouse with Carole as her eyes swept across its exposed brick walls and wooden floors: “I didn’t choose this building. This building chose me.” The Boathouse Barking […]
Our first community investment
Participatory social investment We are very excited to announce our first investment in the borough, with a £75,000 investment into The Boathouse Studios. The investment will accelerate the growth of the business, through upgrading facilities and building increased brand recognition. We want to encourage participatory social investment in the borough. Our aim is for Barking and […]
Learning from the GROW Fund pilot
A community-led social investment fund for local businesses Dancers taking part in a BDYD event. The GROW Fund is part of the UK’s first community-led social investment fund. It’s the largest sum we’ve ever granted in a single initiative and a completely new model for participatory investment. The GROW Fund pilot launched with £360,000, […]
Give it A Go Fund grantees announced
Give it a Go Fund awards ten initiatives filling a gap in the borough We are excited to announce the ten grantees awarded £2,000.00 each in our first round of the Give it a Go Fund. Selected by our eight decision-makers, a group of residents from the borough, these are the ten people and initiatives […]
BD Giving Notes #56 – A Close Call
In this week’s note, Magie Dang shares some preventative measures you can implement to protect yourself and your organisation from phishing scams.