Month: December 2024

The Health & Wellbeing Team has had an impactful year, championing initiatives that enhance the quality of life for residents across Redbridge. From supporting community integration to providing accessible health and fitness opportunities, here are some of the highlights:

Tennis Court Development

As part of a national LTA funding programme, the LTA and UK Government invested over £30 million to refurbish public tennis courts across Britain. In Redbridge, a partnership with the LTA revitalized local park tennis courts, resulting in Valentines Park being recognized with a regional award for Venue of the Year.

Redbridge Holiday Mega Mix

The Mega Mix programme, commissioned by the London Borough of Redbridge (LBR), offered low-cost activities for children and young people during the Easter and summer holidays. This year, the programme catered to children aged 5-16 years, with extended provision for children with additional needs up to 18 years.

Activities included:

• Adapted Sessions for SEN Children: Cycling, water sports, music, and arts.
• Technology: LEGO robotics, AI art, radio podcasting, and animation.
• Arts and Crafts: Glassblowing, pottery, slime-making, and more.
• Library Sessions: Interactive storytelling and theatre-based activities.
• Dance & Drama: Zumba, Indian dance, and theatre workshops.
• Cinema & Swim for £1: Affordable leisure access.
• Sports: Roller skating, cricket, girls’ football, athletics, and tennis.
• Music: Steel pans, table drumming, and Gamelan workshops.
• Nature Activities: Animal tracking, rope basket making, and primitive technology.

With 54 different activities offered through 421 sessions, 12 film showings, and 325 swimming sessions, the programme created 758 engagement opportunities. A total of 11,583 young people participated, an increase of 1,283 from 2023, including 112 registered with disabilities. The Mega Mix programme has been extended for another 12 months.

Active Body Healthy Mind

The Active Body Healthy Mind project provides free activity taster sessions for adults in Redbridge, encouraging physical and mental wellbeing. Highlights included:

• Group exercise sessions such as Pilates, Zumba, Bollywood dance fitness, and yoga.
• The Dance Fitness Fest, a 2-hour marathon at Sir James Hawkey Hall with 200 participants.
• A Mental Health Awareness Week activity timetable featuring 25 events, developed in collaboration with Vision’s Health & Wellbeing, Sports & Leisure, and Culture and Libraries teams.

The project has been re-commissioned by the Redbridge Institute of Adult Education for delivery through July 2024.

Exercise on Referral and Adult Tier Two Weight Management

The Exercise on Referral (EoR) scheme and Tier Two Weight Management pathways saw a record 3,108 referrals this year. The EoR team worked closely with health professionals to improve accessibility, including establishing a pathway with the Learning Disability Team to create a more inclusive programme for patients.

Homes for Ukraine

Vision hosted a third Ukraine Welcome Event, which included discounted memberships, workshops, and sessions supported by translation services. This initiative continues to foster a welcoming environment for Ukrainian families settling in the borough.

Looking Ahead

The Health & Wellbeing Team continues to make strides in promoting healthier lifestyles and building a more inclusive community. With innovative programmes and partnerships, the team is dedicated to driving positive change and enhancing the wellbeing of Redbridge residents in the year ahead.

The Culture & Library Development Team has had another exceptional year, delivering impactful projects across the borough. By focusing on strategic priorities such as Health & Wellbeing, Reading & Literacy, Diversity & Inclusion, and Digital & Access, the team has connected with residents of all ages. Collaborating with libraries, community groups, council services, local charities, schools, and more, the team delivered an impressive 566 sessions, reaching over 58,600 participants, visitors, and audience members.

Children & Young People Highlights

The Fabula Festival was a standout success. The team partnered with 9 local schools and engaged 452 children through visits from award-winning authors Dean Atta and Trish Cook. The festival’s Families Takeover Day at Redbridge Central Library welcomed 1,070 visitors in July.

The annual Festival of the Dead grew significantly in 2024 thanks to nearly £30,000 in Arts Council England funding. Held at Wanstead and Redbridge Central Libraries, with outdoor spectacles and family-friendly activities, the festival attracted over 7,000 outdoor attendees and 2,500 indoor participants.

Culture Development Achievements

The Culture Development Team secured £38,190 in external funding from Arts Council England and Without Walls NPO to support the Redbridge Outdoor Arts Programme and Community Engagement Projects. This funding enabled:

• 8 outdoor arts events across Barkingside and Ilford, attracting an estimated audience of 5,865 people.
• 34 participatory sessions involving 1,150 participants, and 5 Spectrum Studio sessions for local SEND families with 86 attendees.
• Completion of 18 Discover in a Day Arts Awards.

Schools Library Service Successes

The Schools Library Service had another busy year, with 35 schools subscribing across East London, including 15 in Redbridge. The service celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Redbridge Children’s Book Award (RCBA) in June. The event involved 19 schools and over 300 children who voted for their favorite books and participated in writing competitions, which received 51 poetry entries and 55 short stories.

Awards & Recognition

The Culture and Library Development Team is ending 2024 on a high as winners of the Ilford Business Awards for the ‘Redbridge Art & Culture’ category and as partners in the ‘Redbridge Social Value Award’ for their contribution to Redbridge Central Library.

Redbridge Museum’s Transformation

Redbridge Museum unveiled its stunning new permanent exhibition, created with input from local residents, schools, and community groups. This transformation was made possible through funding from Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and other partners.

Fullwell Cross Library Refurbishment

The iconic Fullwell Cross Library underwent a £400,000 refurbishment, transforming it into a vibrant creative, social, and educational hub. Improvements include:

• A digital makerspace for exploring new technologies.
• Flexible layouts for diverse community uses.
• Renovated library halls to generate income.
• Specialist SEN equipment for children and adults with special needs.

Colours of Redbridge

As the lead consortium member of Colours of Redbridge, funded by Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme, Vision launched nine diverse summer projects. These included South Asian truck art, kite-making, a cultural food festival, and a fashion runway, drawing over 10,000 attendees. Three projects will expand in 2025. Additionally, Colours of Redbridge trained Community Producers, many of whom have gone on to secure employment or educational opportunities, fostering a more engaged and creative borough.

Looking Ahead

As the year concludes, the Culture & Library Development Team reflects on a year of innovation, collaboration, and community impact, driving Redbridge toward a happier, healthier, and better-connected future.

The Redbridge Music Service (RMS) is searching for 20 talented new members to join their prestigious Youth Choir and experience the thrill of performing at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. This unforgettable opportunity is part of the Redbridge Schools Choral Festival 2025, taking place on 11 March 2025.

The RMS Youth Choir is an auditioned ensemble open to secondary school students up to the age of 21. Successful applicants will not only sing alongside professional choral performers but also contribute to an inspiring musical showcase on one of the world’s most celebrated stages.

How to Get Involved: Interested singers are encouraged to register their interest now. Once registered, you will be invited to attend a trial rehearsal and a short audition to secure your place in the choir.

Rehearsal and Workshop Commitments: To prepare for this monumental performance, participants are required to attend at least five Wednesday evening rehearsals and two Saturday workshops. All sessions will be held at the John Savage Centre in Hainault.

• Wednesday Rehearsals: 6pm – 7.30pm
  • January: 8th (launch), 15th, 22nd, 29th
  • February: 5th, 26th
  • March: 5th
• Saturday Workshops: 1pm – 3pm
  • March: 1st and 8th

This is a rare chance for aspiring singers to showcase their talent, learn from seasoned professionals, and be part of a breathtaking musical event at one of the UK’s most prestigious venues.

Don’t miss out! Register your interest today and take the first step towards this extraordinary performance experience.

If you require any further information please email Redbridge Music Service.

We are excited to announce that Vision has been crowned winners in two out of the three categories we were nominated for at the prestigious Ilford Business Awards 2024!

Redbridge Social Value Award – Awarded for the outstanding contributions of Redbridge Libraries in creating a positive impact within the community.

Redbridge Art & Culture Award – Celebrated as joint winners alongside SPACE for our collaborative efforts in enriching Redbridge’s cultural landscape.

While Mildmay Nursery didn’t make it as a finalist for the Best Business of the Year Award, we are incredibly proud of their nomination and the recognition of their excellence.

The awards ceremony took place on Thursday, 5 December 2024, at the Coliseum Suite, Ilford, bringing together the best businesses and entrepreneurs to celebrate achievements and success in the local community.

Martin Solder, Chair of Vision Trustees, said:
“Winning these awards is a tremendous boost for our staff. As we look ahead to 2025, we are inspired to make our events and programmes even bigger and better, while continuing to engage and connect with the Redbridge community in new and meaningful ways.”

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible teams and the Redbridge community for your unwavering support. These awards are a testament to our shared commitment to excellence and innovation.

Here’s to even greater achievements in the year ahead!

Update on Monday 9 December:

Our Parks Team is actively inspecting parks to ensure they are safe for use. Parks reported as safe will be reopened as inspections are completed. We aim to finish all inspections by midday. Below is
the latest update on the parks that have already been inspected:

Open, with no hazards reported:
– Barley Lane Recreation Ground
– Benton Road
– Barkingside Recreation Ground
– Crucible Park
– Hainault Recreation Ground
– Ilford War Memorial
– Orchard Playing Fields
– Redbridge Recreation Ground
– South Park
– Seven Kings Park
– Westwood Recreation Ground

Open, tree damage reported, area secured:
– Clayhall Park
– Fairlop Waters
– Goodmayes Park
– Hainault Forest
– Ray Park
– Valentines Park

Not open:
– Elmhurst Gardens
– Martley Drive Play Area

For further updates please re-visit this page.

Update on Sunday 8 December:

All Parks and Open Spaces will remain closed again today. Further inspections will take place tomorrow morning, Monday 9 December.

Update on Saturday 7 December:

Following our announcement yesterday afternoon, as a safety precaution all Parks and Open Spaces will remain closed today. Further inspections will take place tomorrow morning, Sunday 8 December.

Update on Friday 6 December:

A yellow weather warning has been issued for Redbridge this weekend, we are expecting heavy rain fall and high winds of up to 60mph.
 
For safety precautions, all parks and open spaces will remain closed on Saturday until thorough inspections have been completed. In the event of severe weather, park closures may be extended.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

For more information on weather updates, visit the the Met Office website.

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