Local Voices
Rising up to the challenge
Barking & Dagenham Giving has teamed up with the Council and You Press to tell your stories.
We have tried to capture a wide range of voices from across the borough. As such, the views expressed in these stories do not necessarily represent the views of any of the organisations involved in the project.
Amanda Simmons
My name is Amanda Simmons and I live with my husband. I manage the Corner Coffee House in Green Lane, Dagenham, where we offer affordable
A one-man band
Since the pandemic occurred my business has been affected but I am still here, staying positive and hopeful for the future. My name is Derrick,
Alison Cormack
During the lockdown I have come to understand the importance of taking care of myself and finding ways to make memories. My name is Alison
Emdad Rahman
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, I had the privilege of speaking with Emdad Rahman about his voluntary work for many different charitable organisations
Natalia Lema
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic, I had the privilege of speaking with Natalia Lema about her work, founding and running Cocoon – an
Kemi Oloyede
Despite the numerous hardships that COVID-19 has brought to many of our lives, from queuing up for hours in supermarket lines, to being separated from
Get involved
Put your details in the form and we will contact you to arrange an interview. Our interviews are informal and fun conversations conducted using Google Hangouts or by phone. After the interview, we will create a short article to be published online and – at the end of the project – in a book.