Victoria Ekubia joined Barking and Dagenham Council in May 2007 as Neighbourhood Manager for Heath ward.
For the past 20 years Victoria has worked in the fields of community development, youth work and education, up and down the country and across Europe, in both a professional and voluntary capacity.
Victoria's first priority since becoming a Neighbourhood Manager has been to get to know people of all ages who live and work in the ward. She has taken time out to find her way around and meet as many local groups as possible to build a picture of residents and workers in the area and has been shopping and using local transport to get to know as many people as she can.
Victoria also plans to contact local organisations in the area that can work in partnership with her Neighbourhood Management team and deliver improvements. She will coordinate the coming together of residents, councillors, community groups, voluntary groups, local businesses and statutory agencies to address the needs of local residents' issues.
The aim of Neighbourhood Management is to get residents involved in what's happening in their environment and together meet the residents' needs and priorities so they can see a difference in their area.
So far, Victoria has found everyone involved in the scheme incredibly helpful and enthusiastic. Victoria says:
"It's brilliant that people are so keen to get involved. It's an exciting and challenging time and Neighbourhood Management is there to make things easier. It's about creating a community spirit and bringing people together."
Victoria is confident that Neighbourhood Management will lead to visible improvements in Heath ward and that people's needs are met.
"Neighbourhood Management is about residents having a point of contact and ensuring their views are taken seriously. It's about residents being able to take control of what's going on in Heath ward. I believe in the council's vision and we mean business. Let's go for it!" she says.
Victoria Ekubia
Neighbourhood Manager
90 Stour Road
Dagenham
RM10 7JD
Tel: 020 8215 3000
Mobile: 07772 229 113
Fax: 020 8724 8366
Email: victoria.ekubia@lbbd.gov.uk|
