Barking and Dagenham council's website "One Borough Voice" currently has a number of surveys available, along with useful information on recent scams, fly tipping, and upcoming events for families. 

Residents can have their say on various issues, including the cost of living and how you have been affected. All local residents can sign up to receive information from One Borough Voice. Go to https://oneboroughvoice.lbbd.gov.uk/login and register.

To join the cost of living survey go to: https://oneboroughvoice.lbbd.gov.uk/cost-of-living-survey/surveys/cost-of-living-survey

Do you know of any events happening around Chadwell Heath and Marks Gate throughout the year?  If so, please contact us using the onine form, and we'll add them to our Community News page. We would also welcome any information about local groups - for adults or children - that may be of interest to residents. 

After requests from resident Marilyn Wyatt and our CHRA Vice Chair, Gloria Simmons, and the support of Zoinul Adidin, Head of Universal Services, our local Chadwell Heath Community Centre and Hub has finally been given its correct name, after incorrectly being named  "Whalebone community hub". This is located at the former Robert Jeyes Library, on the High Road.  Chadwell Heath Community Centre/Hub provides a wide range of additional support and activities for the local community, including Councillors' "surgeries", fitness classes and general advice services. For more information, please go to https://www.chcc.org.uk/community-hub/.

Residents of Barking and Dagenham Borough can also now report crime and antisocial behaviour to council enforcement and police officers at Chadwell Heath Community Reporting Hub, also held at the community centre. these are usually held every Monday from 10 am to 2pm and every Thursday from 11 am to 3pm. Further information can be found at https://www.lbbd.gov.uk/news/2024/community-reporting-hubs-launched-barking-and-dagenham.

It is hoped that people will attend these hubs, in addition to the local Ward Panel meetings (held by our local Safer Neighbourhood Teams). Both provide a valuable source of communication between residents and police.

For more details of Police meetings, please see the Police section of our News page.

Do you enjoy singing?  Why not take part in a Free Open session for all singers or would-be singers!

The Valentine Singers, supported by Vision URL, are arranging a series of events for those interested in joining a choir for the first time, or returning to choral singing. There will be plenty of support for anyone who has never done anything like this before, and fun and challenge for those with more experience!                                         

For further details check the website: www.valentinesingers.org, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 07484 231 429

 In these days of financial hardship, it's useful to know of one or two things that might help to reduce our food bills. One of our residents has suggested the following two apps:

Olio - enables neighbours to share unwanted food, along with other non-food items: https://olioex.com/

Too Good to Go - an app for food that would otherwise be thrown away by shops and restaurants. For a few pounds, members can receive a "lucky dip" of food from local establishments. Toby Carvery and Harvester are both members. https://toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb/

Do you have any tips to help your neighbours?  Let us know!

Barking Foodbank - part of the Trussell Trust charity - runs a valuable service at various sites around the area. They are always grateful for any donations, but due to the current financial climate, are finding it extremely difficult to keep up with demand. There is currently a severe shortage of the following tinned and packet items: long-life milk, cooking oil, tinned vegetables, pulses (kidney beans, lentils,chickpeas,etc), custard, rice pudding, tinned meat (beef/chicken), vegetarian items, tea and coffee, toiletries (shampoo and conditioner, soap, shower gel, toothpaste and toothbrushes), toilet rolls, nappies (size 3 - 6+) and small packs of washing powder/cleaing products.

If you would like to make a donation, these can be taken to the Foodback at the United Reformed Church hall, off Mill Lane, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, from 10am - 12 pm.