May 2024 • Vision RCL

National Children’s Day UK (NCDUK) is all about the importance of a healthy childhood, and how we need to protect the rights and freedom of children in order to ensure that they can grow into happy, healthy adults.

Vision RCL’s core aim is to provide places where people and communities can thrive, we understand the importance of giving young people opportunities to play, learn, read, connect with nature and access to physical activity can have positive impact on a child’s wellbeing.

This week we will be celebrating National Children’s Day UK, by raising awareness of some of the fantastic facilities, events and programmes that we have to offer young people across our online platforms.

This week will be promoting free access to:

  • Play Areas within our Parks and Open Spaces
  • Multi Use Games Areas in Parks and Open Spaces
  • Foxburrows Farm at Hainault Forest
  • Outdoor Gyms in Parks and Open Spaces
  • Boulder Park at Fairlop Waters Country Park
  • Joining Redbridge Libraries from as young as 4 months old
  • Regular activities and events at Redbridge Libraries
  • Free Swimming for Under 4s
  • London Youth Games: Largest Sporting event for young Londoners

With almost a quarter of children are now obese at the end of primary school (PLOS) one study. Vision RCL identified the need to offer support to parents and carers if they have concerns about their child’s weight or eating habits by offering a free 12-week healthy lifestyle programme for children and their families called Active Stars.

We will also be promoting our events and activities available through May Half Term and our summer programme Redbridge Holiday Mega Mix. Giving young people the opportunity to try something new! A wide range of affordable activities including dance, drama, music, and sports as well as swim and cinema for just £1 for children aged from 5 years plus! Bookings open from 1 June!

Chair of Vision Trustees, Martin Solder said:
“Join us in championing the rights of every child, ensuring they have the space, support, and opportunities to flourish into happy, healthy adults. Together, let’s build a community where every child’s potential is nurtured and celebrated.”

To keep up to date with our latest events and activities go to Children’s events page.

Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure are launching Interpreters Live in partnership with the Newham Language Shop and the London Borough of Redbridge 

A new service has launched in Redbridge, This new service has been introduced to support deaf people to contact the Council and Vision RCL, without needing to rely on friends and family to make phone calls on their behalf. 

People in Redbridge now have the option to speak to staff using a video British Sign language (BSL) service, where an interpreter will translate the conversation between call centre staff, and the caller. Local people are welcome to use this service if they need to speak about any service offered by Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure or Redbridge Council’s services, including housing, bin collections, and council tax. 

Local people are encouraged to find any information first on the Vision website, where they can join our libraries or leisure centres online, or visit Redbridge Council’s website to pay a parking fine, report a missed bin, and access many other services, but for people who still need to contact us, the BSL line is available. 

Marlene from Sensory Specialists Ltd, the council’s provider for sensory support in Redbridge, advocates for improving access within organisations. Her advocacy is particularly informed by her personal experience as a child of deaf adults. Marlene  said, “Contacting public services and local and national companies is difficult for people who are deaf, and everyone has different communication needs.  

“For some individuals, communication through lip-reading or written correspondence, such as pen and paper, is possible, but this is not ideal and is open to miscommunication and misunderstanding.  It all comes down to making it possible to access comprehensible information, in accordance with Accessible Information Standards.   

“The introduction of the BSL On Demand service in Redbridge is truly exciting. It signifies significant progress and addresses a long-standing need.” 

Heleema a local resident who helped test the new BSL service said, “I’m a mother, I have children and my husband is hearing. I don’t want to rely on my husband to communicate and make phone calls for me. I find it really stressful. But this new system is perfect because if I want to phone or come in and speak to someone on reception, I can go into a room and get the interpreter on a video call. I want to thank the council, it’s really useful for the future.” 

A council spokesperson said, “We know it’s important for everyone to be able to contact the council in the way that works for them, be it online or over the phone. We have brought in the BSL service to give our deaf residents a strong customer experience, and one they can use themselves, rather than having to rely on other people to phone on their behalf. This is part of us striving to provide a seamless customer experience for all local people.” 
 
Chair of Vision Trustees, Martin Solder said: 

“Everyone should be given the opportunity to access leisure and cultural facilities, this brand new interpretation service offered by Interpreters Live, is just one of the steps we are taking to ensure we are knocking down the barriers to deaf people accessing our services.”

Customers can access the BSL service by visiting the Contact Us page on our website and selecting the button to contact us using a BSL interpreter. 


Join over 6,000 Londoners descending on iconic Olympic and Paralympic legacy venues for an incredible festival of sport! Save the date for 28 to 30 June 2024, It’s a weekend not to be missed!

Why Attend?

  • Support Your Borough and cheer on your local teams as they compete!
  • Try new and exciting sports and activities. They may even include some you’ve never tried! It’s your chance to discover new passions and talents!
  • Meet and Greet Athletes. Last year, Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu, boxer Jordan Thompson and Team GB Hockey star Tess Howard met and inspired attendees! Stay tuned to find out who you could meet this year!
  • Experience iconic Olympic and Paralympic venues.
  • Feel the legacy of London 2012. Gain access to three amazing Olympic and Paralympic legacy venues in one day.
  • Learn about opportunities to join sports sessions across London. You can also discover how to get involved in coaching, youth leadership, and volunteering across London. Be part of something bigger than yourself and make a difference in your community!

Highlights – Friday 28 June

  • Get ready to be amazed by talented dancers with their jaw-dropping performances! Plus, join sports activities at an Olympic and Paralympic legacy venue.

Highlights – Saturday 29 June

  • Support your borough and watch top-level competitions in many sports, including Netball, Volleyball, Swimming and Boys Hockey at iconic venues!

Highlights – Sunday 30 June

  • Be inspired by the spirit of the London 2012 Games. Watch top-level competitions and support talented athletes in Basketball, Tennis, Aquathlon and Girls Hockey at historic Olympic and Paralympic legacy venues! Attendees can also join sports, meet and greet athletes and explore youth leadership, coaching and volunteering opportunities across London.

Be the first to receive news and updates about the LYG Finals Festival 2024! Register your interest today on the London Youth Games website.

If you are interesting in competing please register your interest by emailing our Health and Wellbeing Team.