In December, the BRL team hosted a Community Conversation Time event.
These sessions – held regularly throughout the year – use interactive, in-person engagement to practically and collaboratively problem-solve. They offer a chance for BRL and residents to work together on estate services, planning matters, community priorities, and healthcare.
During the event, the BRL team heard first-hand experiences from residents, with many new faces dropping-in to shape a number of projects.
If you missed this session, or simply want to find out more, we’ve summarised some of the key points discussed:
Placemaking Team
Who are the Placemaking Team?
The Placemaking Team are responsible for shaping the social infrastructure here at Barking Riverside, as well as BRL’s community partnership workstreams.
What did they do at CCT?
Because health is a key topic for many residents, the Placemaking Team ran activities regarding the Wellbeing Hub, summarising the design work that has been taking place since September. They also announced the potential opening of an interim GP surgery on the Circus, which BRL has been working to bring forward since 2023.
Activities:
- To shape the interior brief for the Wellbeing Hub, residents were asked to use stickers to indicate which images from other health/leisure facilities should be used as inspiration.
- Residents were asked to annotate ‘day in the life’ diagrams, reflecting on how a journey through the Wellbeing Hub might feel. These comments will be used by the design team to ensure the layout of the building best promotes wellbeing.
What were the team’s key learnings?
- Health is still the top amenity that residents want BRL to prioritise, with some attendees feeling concerned that a health facility has not yet been delivered. Residents were positive about the potential of an interim GP surgery on the Circus.
- Residents want the Wellbeing Hub to feel warm and comfortable above anything else. Images with earthy colours and natural materials were most popular, mirroring learnings from previous co-design sessions.
- New designs for the Wellbeing Hub aim to integrate more spaces. Residents were supportive of this, recognising this is a more efficient use of space, and that sharing space is beneficial for the communal ethos behind the facility.
Planning Team
Who are the Planning Team?
The Planning Team work with the local council, architects and other partners to help design and gain planning permission for a variety of projects at Barking Riverside.
What did they do at CCT?
The Planning Team set up activities that focussed on the emerging designs for the foreshore, working with attendees to understand how vulnerable and underrepresented groups might experience this area of Barking Riverside. Conversation revolved around three main questions:
- Who will use the foreshore?
- How will these different groups use the foreshore?
- What would enable these groups to engage with the foreshore?
What were the team’s key learnings?
Deeper conversations with residents provided valuable insights into how the foreshore is currently used, as well as what residents love and appreciate about the area now. This has helped BRL to:
- Identify what makes the foreshore special to the community.
- Understand the additional features and improvements residents want to see. For example, some residents would like to see more facilities for socialising and relaxation, such as dog parks and picnic areas. Others felt the space could help promote exercise and play by incorporating jogging paths and family play areas. Some highlighted safety and accessibility – suggesting the area needs to be well lit and have level footpaths and sheltered areas.
These learnings will guide BRL as plans for the foreshore are finalised, ensuring these align with the community’s needs and aspirations.
Thames Futures team
Who are the Thames Futures team?
Thames Futures is a project commissioned by BRL, in partnership with The Young Foundation and residents. Over a number of years, resident researchers have shaped a Community Vision based on local lived-experience. This has been, and continues to be, used to ensure that decisions made about Barking Riverside have a positive social impact for everyone living, working and growing up in Thames Ward.
What did they do at CCT?
After exploring the findings of the 2024 research, residents had the opportunity to highlight which of the nine community priorities identified in the Community Vision felt to be most important. Participants used stickers to select areas of the Community Vision that were highest priority to them and added feedback to sticky notes on any areas they felt had not been addressed.
This work will help BRL direct funding to new projects and initiatives that address the highest priority areas.
What were the team’s key learnings?
- The most popular priority was ‘make it easy for me to get where I need to go’, with a focus on the frequency of the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers service. Additional sailings have recently come into effect (with the possibility of adding even more), and BRL should raise further awareness of this.
- A reoccurring topic for participants was the industrial facilities located off-site; specifically odour issues that could relate to these. This feeds into one particular vision area: ‘A place that they are proud to call home’. It was useful for the BRL team to share how BRL is liaising with the Council and the Environment Agency as they investigate this issue.
Estates Team
Who are the Estates Team?
The BRL Estates Team work with the Community Interest Company and the managing agent, Preim, to help the estate run smoothly. The Estates Team also work on the public areas of Barking Riverside, as well as some of the commercial spaces.
What did they do at CCT?
The Estates Team focused on two areas:
- How would the community like Preim to engage with residents moving forwards? Did residents have specific ideas or formats to boost engagement in relation to the Estate?
- The upcoming Estate Service Charge budget, and where residents would like to see funds directed.
What were the team’s key learnings?
- Residents would like Preim to be more visible. In response to this, BRL wants to involve the Estates team and Preim in more events across the community. Additionally, Preim will soon be launching the ability to book appointments with the Estate Manager, which should be beneficial.
- Residents still want more information on what the Estate Service Charge covers. It was useful for BRL to clarify this with attendees, as well as explaining how block management charges differ, which BRL does not control.
Thank you to all of those who attended the last session – BRL really appreciated the time to meet with so many residents, including those who have not previously attended an event with us before. We know it can be difficult to attend events in person, which is why we also run regular polls through our platform Thames Talk, which helps us to gather resident feedback.
The next CCT is planned for 27th February. Keep an eye on our socials to find out more.
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