I was delighted to be selected for a board position on the Pride in Place Board for Dagenham it has been interesting working alongside residents, the fellow business community and elected members to come together as a board. It is early days yet but we are on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Through the Government's Pride in Place programme, communities across Barking and Dagenham are set to benefit from significant long-term investment designed to strengthen neighbourhoods, improve public spaces, and empower residents to shape the future of their local area.
The announcement that two neighbourhoods in the borough will receive up to £40 million over the next decade has been widely welcomed by residents, community leaders, and local organisations. The funding represents far more than a financial investment. It is a commitment to local people, local pride, and local decision-making.
Putting Communities at the Heart of Change
One of the most exciting aspects of the Pride in Place programme is its focus on community leadership. Rather than imposing solutions from the top down, neighbourhood boards will be established to give residents, businesses, and community organisations a direct voice in how investment is prioritised and delivered.
For Dagenham residents, this means the opportunity to influence decisions on issues that matter most locally, whether that is improving parks, enhancing community facilities, supporting high streets, creating safer public spaces, or delivering projects that bring people together. True regeneration is not simply about buildings and infrastructure. It is about creating places where people feel connected, valued, and proud to live. Pride in Place recognises this by putting local people at the centre of the process.
What the Funding Means for Dagenham
The area covering Central Park and Frizlands Lane, and the area locals know as the Merry Fiddlers, even more exciting is that Heath Park our fabulous community space we have been cultivating for the last 18 months falls in this area.
This scale of investment creates opportunities to:
- Improve green spaces and public realm
- Upgrade community facilities
- Support local shopping parades and neighbourhood centres
- Deliver projects that improve safety and wellbeing
- Create stronger connections between residents and local organisations
- Encourage community-led activities and events
Importantly, the funding is spread across a ten-year period, allowing for sustainable change rather than short-term fixes. This long-term approach offers communities the chance to develop a shared vision and see meaningful improvements delivered over time.
Building Stronger Neighbourhoods
The Pride in Place programme has three clear ambitions: to build stronger communities, create thriving places, and empower people. These goals are particularly relevant for Dagenham, where community spirit has always been one of the area's greatest strengths.
Dagenham has a rich history shaped by resilience, industry, and diversity. From its proud manufacturing heritage to its growing and changing communities, the area has continually adapted while maintaining a strong sense of identity. Investment through Pride in Place provides an opportunity to build on these foundations and ensure future generations can share that same sense of pride.
A Chance to Shape the Future
Perhaps the most important message for local residents is that this funding belongs to the community. Success will depend on local people engaging with the process, sharing ideas, joining neighbourhood boards, and helping to shape the priorities for investment.
Whether it is creating better spaces for young people, supporting local businesses, enhancing parks, or bringing communities together through events and activities, residents will have a unique opportunity to influence how this funding is spent.
Looking Ahead
Pride in Place is more than a funding programme. It is an opportunity to strengthen community identity, improve quality of life, and create neighbourhoods that reflect the ambitions of the people who live there. With up to £20 million earmarked for the Dagenham area over the next decade, local residents have a real chance to drive lasting and positive change.
As plans develop and neighbourhood boards begin their work, the challenge and opportunity will be the same: ensuring that every pound invested helps create a Dagenham that is safer, greener, more connected, and a place that current and future generations can be proud to call home.
If you have ideas on how this funding should be shaped then please fill in the online survey every view counts!
