Local street parties are creating thriving, close-knit communities in Redbridge

Communities across Redbridge are coming together to run local street parties helping create thriving, close knit neighbourhoods across the borough. 

Redbridge based charity, Empowering Deaf Society, was the among the latest to host a street party aimed at raising deaf awareness.

Taking place at St Lawrence's Church in Barkingside, the street party featured performances by African and Indian dancers who are deaf, and had lots of fun activities designed to bring neighbours of all ages together. The street party also highlighted the work of the charity and local deaf services.

Marcus Pabon-Lara from Ilford, said: “Fantastic event! It not only gave me an opportunity to meet friends I have not seen for a while but also to make some new friends. It was also great to be able to see many deaf organisations.”

Mangai Sutharsan, who works for Empowering Deaf Society, said: “It was brilliant to see so many people come together. Street parties are a great way to develop community bonds. We had many people from both the deaf community and hearing community attend our street party - it was also a great way for us to raise deaf awareness.”

Redbridge Council is encouraging local people to get in touch to host their own street parties throughout the year and has already approved applications for more than 20 summer street parties.

Street parties do not need to have a theme or reason and are being encouraged to support local people to get to know their neighbours better, grow community networks and create thriving neighbourhoods. Anyone in the borough, including local organisations, can apply to host one.

If you would like to host a street party on your road an application form must be completed. For more information, or to apply go to: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/roads-and-pavements/street-parties/

If you enjoy hosting a street party, Redbridge Council also runs a Play Street initiative to provide communities with opportunities to get together on their street more regularly.

Redbridge Play Streets enables local people to close off their road to traffic for two hours a month so that neighbours, children, and families can socialise and play out together on the street safely.

There are nearly 30 Play Streets currently running across the borough. Recently Woodlands Primary School, in Ilford, and Barley Lane Primary School, in Chadwell Heath, became the first this year to trial a school led Play Street.

Children at both schools took part in green themed games, cycling, scooting and other fun activities on vehicle free roads, supported by Redbridge’s We Care for Our Air project*.

Mel Jackson, Head Teacher at Woodlands Primary School, said: “This was our first Play Street. It was exciting, well attended and full of fun activities for the pupils. The Play Street initiative gave our pupils the opportunity of free play on a car free street. This has additional benefits of reducing the number of cars on local roads, which promotes cleaner air quality, safety and a better environment for all to live in.  It was a wonderful event.”

To find out more about Redbridge Play Streets, or to apply to become one go to: www.redbridge.gov.uk/leisure-sport-and-the-arts/play-streets/

To find out about Redbridge’s We Care For Our Air project go to: https://engage.redbridge.gov.uk/our-air-redbridge

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