Community Service

#Newham's Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee undertook site visits to a selection of developments in the borough. First #Stratford at the Carpenters Estate, and then to Vincent Street in #CanningTown.

A light blue graphic headed with the Local Trust and Big Local logos reads, “Explore learning and insights from Big Local through themed research and stories.” It shows nine white boxes titled: “Community assets and spaces,” “Community change,” “Community engagement,” “Health and wellbeing,” “Investing in young people,” “Local economy,” “Place-based pride and connection,” “Resident leadership,” and “Working collaboratively,” followed by the heading “Learning from Big Local” and a search bar displaying “**www.learningfrombiglocal.org.uk**,” with the National Lottery Community Fund logo in the bottom right.

What themes have emerged from over a decade of learning from Big Local? The Learning from Big Local website offers a unique opportunity to explore ten themes that underpin work across Big Local areas - from community assets to resident leadership.

Explore them all: https://bit.ly/3ZocYMb

Homelessness hits new high among refugees as thousands now sleeping on streets Homelessness among refugees has skyrocketed in England in recent years, with charities claiming more needs to be done to prevent that number from rising even further

More evidence that a truly effective cross-government approach to homelessness needs to include more action from the Home Office.

With @naccomnetwork.bsky.social we're campaigning for an asylum system that prevents - rather than causes - homelessness

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Did you know there’s different schemes to help you pay for childcare?
These will only pay for ‘approved childcare’.

You might also be able to get more help if you get any benefits.

Find out more: bit.ly/4flTLlA

"Nour helped me realise I have to live..." MOPAC VAWG Grassroots Fund. The accompanying image is a close up of a women wearing a head covering but you can only see the lower half of their face. There's also a red The London Community Foundation logo in the bottom left corner.

"Nour helped me realise I have to live..." This Tower Hamlets based charity have a deeply relational approach to supporting survivors of abuse and trauma. Find out more: londoncf.org.uk/blog/nour-he...

#SexualAbuseAndSexualViolenceAwarenessWeek #ItsNotOK #VAWGGrassrootsFund

Thank you to everyone who attended the Vigil for Irene Leardini this evening. Good to see members of the press, Lewisham Council and our local MP attend.

We'll be writing to TfL to try to engage in some sort of dialogue about the A2. Hopefully we won't have to do this again.

Fundraising Challenge Events - FoodCycle Up for a challenge? Whether its a 5K or a marathon we have lots of events available! Help us bring food and conversation to people across the country.

A goal to train for, a reason to run and a real impact with every step.
Sign up to run for FoodCycle and make your 2026 goal one that really matters.

From vacant spaces to community power - Power to Change One of our five community-led high street Innovators - ArtSpace LifeSpace - is transforming high streets and vacant properties into thriving creative spaces ...

🏬 Meanwhile space can bring our high streets back to life - but it isn't enough on its own.

In this blog in a mini-series, Artspace Lifespace CEO Kathryn Chiswell-Jones reflects on lessons from Stockport & why long term community ownership is essential for lasting change.

👉️ buff.ly/KRmhkM0

🌿Applications are OPEN for our 2026 Summer Camps🌿

Our FREE residential camps in UK National Parks are for 12–16 year olds in England & Wales, focused on outdoor experiences, hands-on conservation & youth-led action for nature.

Share with young people you know!

⏰Apply by 4th May!
🔗 buff.ly/9dqGtxP

Two people and a dog walking on a beach with mist rising from the sand, under a moody sky.

Did you get out walking this weekend?

Share your weekend snaps in the comments 📸 👇👇👇

📸: Lovely shot by Diane Holmes taken on a walk along Warkworth Beach, Northumberland

We’re disappointed by repeated political opportunism around the West Ham Park #LTN, which has made clear improvements for road safety, air quality, and reducing congestion on our streets.

If your car journey is longer, you can leave a few minutes earlier—a small price to pay for everyone’s safety.

My son had a great time on an AFC trip some years ago, recommended

Fears over library closures as council looks to make £1.6m 'savings' to service Newham Council has ruled out any library closures for 2026/27 but not for the following years

Newham Council has ruled out any library closures for 2026/27 but not for the following years, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

newhamvoices.co.uk/2026/01/29/f...

Beckton, East Ham and Stratford set to benefit from £1.5m government grant The 'Pride in Place' funding will be used by Newham Council to improve parks, high streets and neighbourhoods

The ‘Pride in Place’ funding will be used by Newham Council to improve parks, high streets and neighbourhoods, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

newhamvoices.co.uk/2025/11/19/b...

Do you know inspiring people or projects involved in food growing in Leeds?

Feed Leeds want to hear from across the city. Help them to reach a wide range of growers by nominating individuals or projects making a difference in local food growing.

It only takes a few seconds to nominate, and you can

Meet artist Autistic Ian, who's overcoming homelessness one brushstroke at a time

Autistic Ian earned his honours degree in nine days yet struggled with the demands of a regular job. Now, he's a celebrity chef favourite.

A Colchester Museums closure notice graphic with a dark purple background. Large white text reads ‘Closure Notice’. Below, smaller text says: ‘Please be aware that the Castle has lost power again today. As a result, the site will be closed for the rest of the day. Further updates will be shared as soon as we have them.’ The Colchester Museums logo appears at the top left.

We reopened earlier today, but a second power outage means we now have to close Colchester Castle for the rest of the day. Thank you for your continued patience. We really appreciate it, and we’ll keep you updated.

If you can #volunteer remotely for a few hours across the week, join our #Comms team! Grant applications & requests for news pieces are ad hoc with a quick turnaround so they are easier to fit in around other commitments. Find out more at buff.ly/3btQCB9

In this blog, our head of policy and communications, @maddiejennings.bsky.social sets out why we are proud to support @right-here.org's Blueprint for community-powered neighbourhood governance. She also also explores six principles that underpin community-powered governance - read it below👇

📣 Be one of the first voices we hear in the State of the Sector research
VCSE organisations across Manchester are invited to take part in an important piece of research shaping future funding, policy and support. You can take part here https://10gm.org.uk/10gms-work/stateofthesector/

This year the CSO is doubling down: more house meetings, more trainings — across Humberside, Lancashire, Greater Manchester & North London — bringing people together across dividing lines to build the common good. Let’s bring power home ❤️

A graphic headed with the Local Trust and Big Local logos reads, “Explore all our Q&A articles at,” followed by three Q&A article listings titled: “How did Big Local partnerships respond to the cost of living crisis in their communities?”, “What was the role of paid workers in Big Local?”, and “How was Big Local designed to keep communities in control?”, each with a thumbnail image on the right. At the bottom, large text reads “Learning from Big Local,” above the URL “www.learningfrombiglocal.org.uk,” with a search icon and the National Lottery Community Fund logo in the bottom-right corner.

New evidence: 150 areas, 15 years, £200m invested.

Learning from Big Local offers one of the most comprehensive overviews on how long-term, trust-based funding can empower communities.

🧠 Browse the articles answering key questions about Big Local here → https://bit.ly/49XlB5e

Positives of pavement parking ban in Edinburgh praised two years on Positives of pavement parking ban in Edinburgh praised two years on

It's two years today since enforcement began against pavement parking in Edinburgh.

We urge others to follow their lead, so everyone in Scotland can enjoy safer streets.

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/14348/positives-of-pavement-parking-ban-in-edinburgh-praised-two-years-on

Happy 80th birthday to our founder, John Bird.

35 years ago, he created the Big Issue to offer a hand up, not a handout.
Since then, over 100,000 vendors have sold 200 million magazines and earned more than £150 million.

From all of us at Big Issue, thank you. Here is to what comes next.

#FridayFeeling ~ Harvey has the best idea this morning. Stay in bed. #catsknowbest #inthecompanyofcats #villagelife #seniorcats #catrescue

"Thank you so so much for the milk! & even the little baby bits. I really really appreciate it!" . If you can help us provide this support in #Oxford please donate at www.oxfordmutualaid.org/donate

Colourful promotional graphic for Great Mental Health Day in London on Friday, 30 January 2026. Includes a vibrant brain illustration and floral designs, with a call to get involved at thriveLDN.co.uk/greatmentalhealth

#GreatMentalHealth Day

In its 5th year, celebrates ‘everyday spaces’ & aims to get Londoners talking about mental health & remove stigma

January & winter can feel extra difficult – maybe there’s a conversation you could have to help bring some light?

thriveldn.co.uk/great-mental...

A team of construction workers in high-visibility safety gear are actively engaged in civil engineering tasks across a semi-rural canal site, using orange excavators to lift formwork panels and assist in building reinforced structures. Temporary fencing, safety netting, and scattered tools mark the area as a busy, well-managed work zone, with trees and grassy surroundings providing a natural backdrop to the infrastructure development underway.

A team of construction workers in high-visibility safety gear are actively engaged in civil engineering tasks across a semi-rural canal site, using orange excavators to lift formwork panels and assist in building reinforced structures. Temporary fencing, safety netting, and scattered tools mark the area as a busy, well-managed work zone, with trees and grassy surroundings providing a natural backdrop to the infrastructure development underway.

A team of construction workers in high-visibility safety gear are actively engaged in civil engineering tasks across a semi-rural canal site, using orange excavators to lift formwork panels and assist in building reinforced structures. Temporary fencing, safety netting, and scattered tools mark the area as a busy, well-managed work zone, with trees and grassy surroundings providing a natural backdrop to the infrastructure development underway.

Walsh Construction is making good progress with reinforcement work at Gallows Wharf.

Volunteers weren’t on site today as concrete base pours can’t continue until the next section of piling is installed. Once that’s in, work can crack on again.

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield

Colour in nature can be found even in the depths of winter 🌾🌿🍂❤️

We love shouting out and supporting great community groups like Mountford Growing Community: a small resident-led organisation bringing people together and boosting civic participation through gardening, community meals, and much more. Find out about them here 🌱🍽️
mountfordgrowingcommunity.org/about/