Redbridge in Conversation

The most recent Redbridge in Conversation was held at Uphall Primary School on Tuesday 30th January.

Redbridge in Conversation events are organised to facilitate community conversations, empower our neighbours to share views on our local area and provide guidance and support. This event provided information and support for Redbridge residents on council investment in the south of the borough. The event ran from 6:30pm - 8:30pm and was well-attended, with over 80 residents joining the session during which we provided information on council investment in the south of the borough and listened to local concerns raised by attendees during an open Q&A session with Council Leader Cllr Jas Athwal.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and to Uphall Primary School for providing the venue. If you want to continue any conversations started at Redbridge in Conversation, please leave a comment below or email cset@redbridge.gov.uk(External link).

Please keep an eye out for the next Redbridge in Conversation event in your area!

Thank you to everyone who attended our most recent Redbridge in Conversation event on Tuesday 7th November 2023, which was held at Loxford School, School Lodge, Loxford Lane, Ilford, IG1 2UT.

The event included a roundtable discussion with Council staff from Anti-Poverty and Neighbourhood Streetscene teams as well as Local Police. It was a unique opportunity for individuals to have engage directly with the Leader and local councillors from the areas of Loxford, Clementswood and Mayfield. Thank you again to everyone who attended, and to the Loxford School for providing the venue. If you want to continue any conversations started at Redbridge in Conversation, please leave a comment below or email engagement@redbridge.gov.uk(External link)(External link).

Please keep an eye out for the next Redbridge in Conversation event in your area!

The most recent Redbridge in Conversation event took place on Wednesday 27 September at South Woodford Islamic Centre.

Redbridge in Conversation events are organised to facilitate community conversations, empower our neighbours to share views on our local area and provide guidance and support. This event provided information and support for Redbridge residents on managing the current increase in cost of living and information on the different ways of accessing the Household Support Fund. We invited residents to come along to this event, not only to get information needed about existing means of help and hear about the plans we already have for extending support, but also to hear what the needs are in your communities and what else we need to do.

The event ran from 6:30pm - 8:30pm and included information stalls (Anti-Poverty, Neighbourhood Streetscene and Local Police), a presentation delivered by Superintendent Lisa Butterfield and a presentation and Q&A with Council Leader Cllr Jas Athwal. It was an invaluable opportunity for the local community to engage directly with council services and local councillors from the areas of South Woodford, Bridge, Monkhams and Churchfields.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and to the South Woodford Islamic Centre for providing the venue. If you want to continue any conversations started at Redbridge in Conversation, please leave a comment below or email engagement@redbridge.gov.uk(External link).

Please keep an eye out for the next Redbridge in Conversation event in your area!

Redbridge in Conversation held at Caterham High School had over 150 residents attend where the Leader of the Council focussed on the pressing issue of the cost of living crisis and inform residents about the available support.

The event provided an invaluable opportunity for the local community to engage directly with their elected representatives. Residents had the chance to voice their concerns, ask questions, and share their perspectives with local councillors from the areas of Barkingside, Fullwell, and Clayhall.

One of the key highlights of the event was the open dialogue between residents and council members. Participants had the chance to discuss their experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improving the local area. It was a forum for collaboration, where both residents and councillors came together to seek solutions to the issues affecting the community.

Thank you to all who came on the evening. It was great to see so many familiar and new faces. If you want to continue the conversation, please leave a comment below or email engagement@redbridge.gov.uk.

We encourage all residents to keep an eye out for the next Redbridge in Conversation event in your area!

There was a strong turnout from local people as once again over 100 people were in attendance for our latest Redbridge in Conversation event at the Forest Academy, Hainault, on Thursday 16 March. Local people came together to discuss how we can work together to tackle the cost-of living-crisis and to share issues that were important to them.

To start the event, we gathered to take part in round table discussions about how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting them and how we can work together as a community to tackle the issues it presents to us. We had some extremely productive discussions and were fascinated to see the insight that local people had to offer.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, then gave a short presentation to discuss the work across the borough related to the cost-of-living crisis, which reassured residents that help is available and signposted them to that help.

Local people then took the floor for a Q&A with Cllr Athwal, where they asked questions about topics that were important to them and discussed local issues that they care about. It was great to be able to talk to local residents about the issues that matter to them the most.

The next Redbridge in Conversation event will take place on Thursday 16 March at The Forest Academy, Hainault, IG6 3TN.

Redbridge in Conversation events are organised to facilitate community conversations, empower our neighbours to share views on our local area and provide guidance and support.

This event is looking at information and support for Redbridge residents on managing the current increase in cost of living and information on the different ways of accessing the Household Support Fund: . We are inviting everyone to come along to this event, not only to get the information you need about existing means of help and hear about the plans we already have for extending support, but also to tell us what the needs are in your communities and what else you think we need to do.

Running order of event:

6.30pm – 8.30pm

• Free refreshments
• Introduction and Council Update
• Presentation on the Cost of Living Crisis
• Q&A with Council Leader Cllr Jas Athwal

Please use the Eventbrite page to sign up so we can contact you ahead of the event.

Thank you to over 100 local people who joined our Redbridge in Conversation event on Thursday 26th January.

We heard from community leaders about the work they are doing including:

Yusuf – A young Seven Kings resident, involved with the youth co-design process and has aspirations to be an architect.

Janet – Reverend of St Pauls Church in Goodmayes for the past 8 years. She is a firm believer in empowering vulnerable women by improving their language skills.

Ajay – Ajay is a very involved Goodmayes resident. Ajay is an artist and helps to connect communities through arts and culture regeneration projects. His work also aims to make BAME and LGBTQ+ communities more visible and connected within the creative sector.

The Leader of the Council - Cllr Jas Athwal, to discuss the work across the borough related to the cost-of-living crisis, crime, waste and cleansing and especially investment in the Seven Kings area through the community hub and new lido.

It was great to see so many familiar and new faces. If you want to continue the conversation please leave a comment below or email engagement@redbridge.gov.uk.

The Seven Kings hub area covers the wards of Newbury, Goodmayes, Seven Kings, Chadwell, and Mayfield wards. How we can work together, whether it is the council, residents, or our partners, to support a community vision will be the theme of this session.

So, please join us on Thursday 26 January to hear about the Seven Kings community vision, developed by local people, and help shape the future of our borough.

At the meeting you can also find out more about our council’s plans to create a Seven Kings Community Hub, bringing council services, community space and a new Library into Seven Kings.

6.30pm – 7pm

• Introduction and Council Update
• Presentation on the Seven Kings Community Hub from community members

7pm – 8.30pm

• Free refreshments
• Break-out group discussions
• Q&A with Council Leader Cllr Jas Athwal

Please use the Eventbrite page to sign up so we can contact you ahead of the event: https://Seven-Kings-in-Conversation.eventbrite.co.uk.

To find out more about the Seven Kings hub and the journey to create the Seven Kings Community Vision, check out the page on Let's Talk Redbridge: https://engage.redbridge.gov.uk/seven-kings-community-hub.

Residents hear a presentation on the cost of living, crime, and cleansing. Our first Redbridge in Conversation event took place last week at Loxford Polyclinic.

This event was a chance for residents to discuss the rising cost of living and hear about the support available, including the Household Support Fund. Councillor Chowdhury (Cabinet Member for Crime, Safety and Community Cohesion) led a Q&A session. Residents were also able to talk to council officers and councillors about how the council and residents can work together to support our community.

We plan to hold more Redbridge in Conversation sessions, so keep an eye out for our next event.

Ways to get help as the cost of living rises

Putting money in your pocket:

Our Welfare Benefits Team has helped put more than £750,000 of unclaimed benefits and support into the pockets of local families. If you need help or support please contact the team on 020 8708 5690 or via email on housing.benefits@redbridge.gov.uk. For further information visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/benefits/welfare-benefits-and-support

Free School Meals:

Your family may be eligible, visit: www.redbridge.gov.uk/schools/free-school-meals/

Household Support Fund:

Visit: www.redbridge.gov.uk/benefits/household-support-fund/

Go Green Grant:

One way to save money on energy bills is with the free installation of energy-efficient home improvements. Visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/go-green

Rent and Council Tax:

You may be able to get help with housing costs through Universal Credit or housing benefits and help with Council Tax payments through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. Visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/benefits

Our first Redbridge in Conversation event will be held at Loxford Polyclinic on 6 October 2022.

We open at 16:30 for a drop in session with the household support fund, with children's entertainment and food available.

The Leader of the Council will be joining us from 17:30 to talk about the cost of living crisis and lead on a conversation on how we can work together to find ways of supporting you.

Please come and join the conversation! Full details on the supporting image.