The latest from the Barking and Dagenham Citizens' Alliance Network (CAN)  Budget Consultation 2023/24 Have your say on the council’s budget proposals during the biggest cost of living crisis in 50 years. Residents can have their say on the council’s 2023/24 budget proposals here. The consultation will close on Sunday 5 February 2023.  Residents can also tune in to a special budget Facebook Live Q&A with Councillor Twomey and Councillor Rodwell, Leader of the Council, on Thursday 26 January, between 6 – 7pm on the Leader’s Facebook page and can submit a budget question ahead of the session by emailing socialmedia@lbbd.gov.uk. In addition to this, residents can also provide feedback in person at the following budget consultation sessions: Monday 30 January, 5.30 – 6.30pm at the Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square, Barking IG11 7NB Tuesday 31 January, 5.30 – 6.30 pm at Dagenham Library, 1 Church Elm Lane, Dagenham RM10 9QS Why not take a short quiz - the answers may help inform your response to our budget proposal. If you would like to find out more click here Woodward Library the future Community Arts & Culture Centre Barking and Dagenham Council has been awarded a capital grant from Arts Council England to redevelop the old library on Woodward Road, Becontree Estate into a new community arts and culture centre. It will build on the legacy of the Arts and Culture Hub at Valence Library, which was a base for Becontree Forever and Becontree Broadcasting Station through the centenary.  Local residents are being invited to join a series of FREE Woodward Field Trips to amazing creative community spaces across the borough and London. These spaces will inspire and help to build a vision for the new Woodward Arts & Culture Centre. They are also seeking residents interested in participating in the project who live or work on Woodward Road, Gale Street or near Becontree Station in the RM9 postcode. If you have stories of the surrounding community, or would like to have a photographic portrait taken, Woodward Arts & Culture Centre would like to hear from you- please express your interest here The first field trip will be to the incredible community centre Old Manor Park Library in Manor Park on Sunday 12th February, 1-4pm. To book a visit click here  To find out more about the project click here. Gores Brook Living Landscapes The Gores Brook Living Landscape Project aims to uncover the buried Gores Brook through Parsloes Park to create an open are of stream that will provide space for wildlife, relaxation and play. The actual design for this project are yet to be decided. Thames21 need your help with this! An in-person and online consultation will be happening in March 2023. to take part in this please SUSCRIBE NOW! To find out more about the project click here To learn more about the buried Gores Brook click here Old Dagenham Park – Heart of the Community Project We would like to thank everyone that responded to the recent resident’s survey. We received a total of 131 responses and some fantastic feedback and suggestions which will help inform the development and delivery of the ‘Heart of the Community’ Project.  In terms of the next steps. The Council is now reviewing the feedback and working on actions plans for the 3 key elements of the project: Physical works, activities related, and planting trees. So, watch this space for further updates. We will also be contacting those residents who expressed an interest in being actively involved in the project and the management and maintenance of Old Dagenham Park and associated fund raising to deliver future park improvements. Please email zafreen.abedean@lbbd.gov.uk or laura.toffolo@lbbd.gov.uk if you would like to be kept in the loop and added to our contact list. So, the next 12 months will be an exciting time for this key community park, and in partnership with residents we hope to improve the services, facilities, and environment for everyone.  If you would like to find out more about the project visit our page Company Drinks Mini-Winter Warmers / Community Warm Spaces programme The Company Drinks Mini-Winter Warmers programme will be running through Jan, Feb and March 2023.  They will be hosting a series of special creative activities. Residents can join them for a weekly get together, enjoy great company and celebrate some of the things they love.  Warm food will be provided and you can help your selves to teas and biscuits. All ages welcome!  Fridays 1-4pm - Tea and biscuits and use of their club room  Saturdays 1-4pm - Hot food provided and a hands-on creative workshop! Please see the flyer below for the programme of workshops on Saturday afternoons. Any questions, people can get in touch via contact@companydrinks.info Great Winter Get Together Studio 3 Arts are hosting the winter get together. During this event, they will be offering a variety of activities, including food, entertainment, crafts, and family-friendly activities for all ages. This is a day for the community to come together, have fun, and enjoy the company of one another. The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. When: Saturday, January 28th, 2023 Where: Studio 3 Arts, located at Boundary Road, IG11 7JR Time: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm For more information about The Winter Get Together, please visit their website at https://www.greatgettogether.org/ Mobile Debt Advice  You can come and talk to a trained debt advisor about your debt and money worries. Find out what local help there is to support your financial wellbeing. Plus, plenty of free goodies to pick up! When: Friday, 3rd February 2023 Time: 9am - 5pm Where: Dagenham Heathway Roding Rubbish  The inspiring Roding Rubbish community group do incredible work clearing litter and rubbish to make our borough cleaner and safer Team up with friendly locals and make a difference to your local environment at their first clean-up event of 2023.  Where: Ripple Greenway, Renwick Rd, Barking When: Sun 29 January Time: 10am to 1pm For more information and how to sign up to the event click here  Becontree Broadcasting Station - Intro to Podcast/Radio workshop BBS Community Radio are delivering FREE workshops, open to residents, on Tuesday 31st January, 6.30-8.30pm at Valence Library Community Hub. Intro to Podcast/Radio workshop includes the following topics: setting up recording equipment (microphones, mixing desk). writing a short script with cues. recording a conversational podcast / radio show with everyone trying out different production roles. explaining different types of online distribution for your show.  To register please email jnamy@lbbd.gov.uk or call 07378346832 for more info.  Your City, Your Voice, Your Air Imperial College London supported by the council are starting a new project in Barking and Dagenham, they are hoping to connect with residents across the borough to share knowledge about air quality. What’s the project about? The project involves building a website where individuals living or working in Barking and Dagenham can ‘pin’ their experiences, perceptions, and questions about air pollution to a digital map. The aim of the project is to generate a clearer, fuller picture of local air quality conditions across the borough. The project is funded by Defra. If you care about your neighbourhood, have opinions about the environment/health/transportation and meet the following criteria, you could become an Ambassador for an air quality research project. If you are interested and meet the following criteria: Are above the age of 18 Are a resident of Barking and Dagenham or work within Barking and Dagenham Are willing to attend quarterly meetings for the duration of the project (ending in January 2024) Enjoy tea, biscuits and conversation! Please complete the survey here: or message  07469000574 before 15/02/2023. Tea, biscuits and transportation compensation will be available!  Click here to find out more!  Keeping Warm, Barking and Dagenham As the weather gets colder and heating bills remain high, we want to spread the word about warm spaces that are available to residents across the borough. The warm space providers offer a safe, and welcoming environment; see opening times below, that include evenings and weekends.   Anyone can pop in and sit, and if not interested in books, can access the public-use computers or any other activities, events, and sessions. Staff and volunteers are always happy to promote what’s on in the library to get people involved. In addition, and alongside our community partners, we have organised some dedicated spaces across the borough where residents can come along to a comfortable space at certain times, have a hot drink and a chat, and if they want to, take part in activities and pastimes. No referrals, just pop in during the open times. You can visit the  warm community space page to find out more. Nominations  for Women’s Empowerment Awards 2023 Less than two weeks left to nominate for Women’s Empowerment Awards 2023 Local people are being urged to put forward nominations for this year’s Women’s Empowerment Awards, with the deadline for nominations looming. The annual event, which takes place in March to mark the end of Women’s Empowerment Month, celebrates the diverse achievements of women who live and work in Barking and Dagenham. This year’s event features nine different categories, seven of which are open for public nominations, including Educator of the Year Award, Female Volunteer of the Year Award, and Businesswoman of the Year Award. This year marks the eighth time the Awards will have been hosted. The deadline for nominations is Tuesday 31 January 2023.  For more details and to nominate click here. Apprenticeship Jobs Fair - Wednesday 8th February 2023 The JobShop in partnership with JCP will be hosting a Jobs Fair during National Apprenticeship week to showcase the apprenticeship opportunities to residents. They have providers and employers attending covering a number of sectors. The jobs fair will take place on Wednesday 8th February 10am – 12pm in the Barking Learning Centre (Conference Room).