July 2025 • Vision RCL

Month: July 2025

Redbridge has once again been officially recognised for having some of the finest parks in the country, with nine local green spaces awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Now in its 14th consecutive year of achieving this international quality standard, Vision Redbridge – on behalf of Redbridge Council – continues to demonstrate excellence in managing and maintaining the borough’s parks and green spaces. This year, a total of 2,250 parks across the UK received the Green Flag, celebrating spaces well maintained, clean, accessible for all and support engagement with local community groups.

Among the award-winning sites is Hainault Forest and Valentines Park which were also named the top ten best parks in the UK in the People’s Choice Awards 2025.

The other Green Flag Award-winning parks in Redbridge for 2025 are:

  • Claybury Park
  • Clayhall Park
  • Elmhurst Gardens
  • Goodmayes Park
  • Ilford War Memorial Gardens
  • Seven Kings Park
  • South Park

Cllr Kam Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council, said: “This award is a testament to the dedication of our park teams. Come rain or shine, they work tirelessly to keep our parks clean and beautiful. It also reflects how much local people value and care for these cherished spaces.

“In recent years, Redbridge Council has made significant improvements to our parks—resurfacing tennis courts, creating new playgrounds, and planting vibrant flowers and trees to brighten every corner of the borough.

“Behind the scenes, our teams maintain lakes, paths, gardens, and wildlife daily, ensuring our parks remain safe, welcoming, and peaceful for everyone. But our parks offer more than just scenic beauty—they’re spaces to enjoy fresh air, exercise, and quality time with loved ones, all without spending a penny.

“We’re committed to continuing our work to improve our parks, but we also need your help to keep them safe, clean, and well cared for.”

Martin Solder, Chair of the Vision RCL Trustees, said: “We’re incredibly proud to once again receive nine Green Flag Awards for our parks. These green spaces are at the heart of our community – providing places to connect with nature, stay active, and come together. I’d like to thank our fantastic parks team and the many volunteers who contribute to keeping our parks at such a high standard. Your hard work does not go unnoticed.”

“Voting for the 2025 People’s Choice Awards will open soon. Residents are encouraged to support their favourite Redbridge park and help it gain national recognition.”

Vision – Redbridge Culture & Leisure Ltd is proud to announce that we have been nominated as one of the top finalists in the APSE Service Awards 2025 for ‘Best efficiency and transformation initiative’, ‘Best Health and Well-being initiative’ and ‘Best Service Team – Sports, Leisure and Cultural’.

We are a finalist for the ‘best efficiency and transformation initiative’ for the successful partnership between our parks and open spaces and Ekota Academy (voluntary organisation) to activate and transform a disused changing pavilion and under – utilised sports pitches at Goodmayes Park into a community hub for people to play sport, engage in physical and well – being activities, to foster new relationships, to be educated, to build essential skills for life and most importantly build a stronger, healthier, and a more connected community. We are incredibly proud of this partnership and Vision’s work with the England Cricket Board has bought in close to £1m into cricket facilities in the borough. From an Ekota perspective, they were awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local community group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.

Vision is also a finalist for ‘Best Health and Wellbeing initiative’ for its pioneering death positive work led by its library service. This ambitious programme of work uses the library as a trusted community space to remove the fear and awkwardness people feel when talking about death and grief –  topics that are often perceived as taboo within our society. Since the project’s inception, the library service has engaged over 15,000 residents of all ages in a creative programme that has been curated in collaboration with Redbridge’s diverse community and in partnership with artists, academic, health and end of life specialists. The programme includes grief café’s, exhibitions, workshops with end of life specialists and an annual Festival of the Dead. This innovative approach has helped remove barriers when having these important, yet difficult conversations and in turn, having a transformative impact on people’s emotional health & wellbeing.

Finally, our Health & Well – Being Team are a finalist for ‘Best Service Team – Sport, Leisure and Cultural’. The Active Body Healthy Mind project offers free workshops and sessions to adults in Redbridge, promoting health and wellbeing through physical activity. Designed to support both mental and physical health, the project includes engaging, inclusive activities aimed at improving overall lifestyle. Participants can access a variety of sessions that encourage movement, connection, and self-care. By combining fitness with wellness education, Active Body Healthy Mind empowers the local community to lead healthier, more balanced lives

The Awards Ceremony is on Thursday 11th September 2025 in Glasgow.

We understand how strongly the community feels about Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre. It plays an important role in the lives of many residents, and we want to be clear about the current situation and the steps Redbridge Council are taking.

Following a routine structural assessment, a material known as Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was identified in the roof above the pool and surrounding areas. This material has been the subject of national safety guidance. In line with that advice, we made the precautionary decision to close those parts of the building while further investigations and planning take place.

This is not a decision based on funding, nor does it reflect a lack of commitment to the centre. It is a necessary measure to ensure the safety of everyone who uses or works in the building. We are working closely with Redbridge Council and our appointed engineers to finalise the scope of remedial works and to develop a costed plan for the future of the site.

In the meantime, other parts of the centre, including the spa with extended opening hours, reception and two group exercise studios with over a 100 classes a week, have reopened and as many swimming lessons as possible have been relocated to alternative locations.

We have also introduced enhanced monitoring and signage to ensure the safety of all visitors.
Officers are preparing a full remediation plan and have been asked to include not only immediate repairs but also options for long-term sustainability and modernisation so that we can secure the future of the centre for years to come.

We know how important this facility is to local people and understand the impact this situation is having. We are committed to keeping residents informed and will continue to provide regular updates. Once we have a confirmed timeline for the next phase of works, we will share that publicly.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to ensure that Fullwell Cross remains a safe and welcoming space for the whole community.

As our current children begin their exciting journey to primary school, Mildmay Nursery is delighted to offer places for new families this September.

Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, and proud finalists in the Ilford Business of the Year 2024 Awards, Mildmay Nursery is led by a team of qualified, caring professionals dedicated to delivering high-quality early years education rooted in creativity, exploration, and kindness. We provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where young minds can flourish.

We welcome children aged 2, 3, and 4, and offer both the universal and extended 15–30 hours of funded childcare for eligible families.

Nursery Sessions:

  • Morning: 8:45am – 11:45am
  • Afternoon: 12:30pm – 3:30pm
  • Lunch Club: 11:45am – 12:30pm (£5 per day, unless covered by 30-hour funding)

New for September:

  • Free taster sessions for our Lunch Club – available for the first six weeks of term for new families joining Mildmay Nursery.*
  • Weekly Music Sessions led by Early Years music specialists. These engaging sessions include singing, rhymes, structured movement, and focused listening activities – all designed to support children’s holistic development.

Open Day Invitation:

Come and see what makes Mildmay Nursery so special!
Join us for our Open Day on Friday 18 July, from 12:30pm to 2:30pm.

We would love to welcome you for a tour.
To book a visit or find out more, please call 07587 101453 or email Mildmay Nursery.

Redbridge achieves 7th place in the Jubilee Trophy rankings of the London Youth Games following the momentous LYG Finals Festival weekend at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 4-6 July.

10,000 young Londoners participated across 37 sports throughout the year, with the Jubilee Trophy being awarded to the borough who accumulates the most points from the best 24 scoring competitions they have participated in across the season.

Redbridge achieved 7th in the highly respected trophy rankings after accumulating 901 Jubilee points. Team Redbridge entered an impressive 27 sports this season, providing a diverse range of opportunities for young people to participate in sports and physical activities.

Redbridge excelled in multiple sports throughout the LYG season with highlights including:

  • Gold (1st place) in Badminton
  • Gold (1st place) in Netball
  • Gold (1st place) in Kayak
  • Silver (2nd place) in Hockey Male

The Mayor of Redbridge, Councillor Beverley Brewer, expressed her deep admiration for the young people of Redbridge who took part in this year’s London Youth Games. She said: “Our young people should feel immensely proud of their performances in the recent finals at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Their accomplishments are all the more commendable given the challenging hot weather conditions during the event.

“I offer my heartfelt thanks and praise to each of our young participants. It’s truly inspiring to think that we may have a future Olympic champion among us here in Redbridge.”

The London Youth Games were founded in 1977 in celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. The late Queen and Prince Philip attended the games in 2002 as part of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee tour, demonstrating the event’s significance.

With the 50th anniversary Golden Games approaching in 2027, LYG is calling on Londoners to share their stories and experiences to showcase the life-changing impact of the Games. The Foundation also aims to raise £5 million to celebrate this milestone and secure the Games for future generations.

Over two million young Londoners aged 7 to 17 have taken part and competed across 37 sports – among them many well-known athletes and para-athletes including Olympians Sir Mo Farah and Christine Ohuruogu MBE, Paralympian David Weir CBE and England footballers Chloe Kelly and Raheem Sterling MBE.

Show your support for the future of the London Youth Games and create opportunities for every young Londoner, find out more on the London Youth Games website.

Mark your calendars! On Sunday 14 September 2025, from 11am to 6pm, Christchurch Green in Wanstead will once again burst into life with the return of the Wanstead Festival – Redbridge’s most anticipated outdoor celebration of the year.

This vibrant and inclusive event brings the whole community together to enjoy a packed day of family-friendly entertainment, live performances, food, and culture – and best of entry is free for everyone!

Expect a fantastic mix of activities for all ages, from arts and crafts workshops, sports demos, and children’s rides, to a land train and a mouth-watering array of street food stalls. Whether you’re entertaining little ones or looking for a fun day out with friends, there’s something for everyone. Be sure not to miss the pop-up pub and the relaxing Holistic and Wellbeing Zone, featuring yoga, meditation, and more.

This year’s festival is proudly sponsored by Hills Motor Group – Woodford dealership, specialists in Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Stop by their stand to explore new models, service options, and trade-in opportunities.

Chair of Vision Trustees, Martin Solder said:
“The Wanstead Festival is a true celebration of community, culture and togetherness. Each year, it brings thousands of people together to enjoy the very best of Redbridge in a fun, safe and inclusive environment. We’re proud to support such a joyful event that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of our borough.”

If you’re a local business and interested in sponsoring this event, we have a range of packages to suit all budgets. To find out more, please email redbridge-events@visionrcl.org.uk for details.

So, gather your friends, bring the family, and make the most of your Sunday at Wanstead Festival 2025 – an unforgettable day out at Christchurch Green!

Keep an eye on our website for more details on Wanstead Festival coming soon!

Vision Parks is delighted to be part of Love Parks Week 2025, a nationwide celebration of the vital role parks and green spaces play in our lives. Running from 25 July to 3 August 2025, this annual initiative, led by Keep Britain Tidy, highlights the importance of parks for our physical health, mental well-being, and community spirit.

This year marks another proud chapter in Vision’s ongoing commitment to our local green spaces. Parks are more than just places to relax – they help clean our air, support local wildlife, and create opportunities for recreation, reflection, and connection with nature.

Throughout the week, parks across Redbridge will host a vibrant programme of events and activities for all ages and interests. From wellbeing walks and volunteering opportunities to water sports, cricket and tennis sessions, and storytelling exhibitions at Valentines Mansion, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and explore, see the full list below:

Love Parks Week events 25 July to 3 August

For those looking to make a lasting impact, our ‘Our Parks’ Scheme offers a chance to get involved beyond Love Parks Week. Whether you’re an individual wanting to give back or a business exploring opportunities, the scheme offers meaningful engagement, skill-building, and a chance to strengthen community ties.

Find out more about Our Parks and join us in celebrating the spaces that bring us together—and be part of a greener, healthier future for all.

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