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Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again.

Ask anyone what Barking and Dagenham is known for and they’d probably say something about affordable homes and the Ford factory. But scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities, world class learning institutions, wildlife you wouldn’t expect in London and a young population excelling at school, wanting more. Ambition, hope and aspiration are alive in Barking and Dagenham.

Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here.

We want our residents to feel proud of where they live. To feel part of the community. To feel like they have a future here. And to feel like the opportunities on offer here – from the Film Studios, to UCL Pearl and the new dentistry school in Barking – are theirs for the taking. It Starts Here is about flipping the narrative of Barking and Dagenham, bringing a sense of pride back and celebrating the history, character, culture and people that make this place unique.

Whether you live here, work here, learn here, are thinking of moving here or want to do business here, It Starts Here is for you.

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How you can get involved

Know a local volunteer doing great things? Tell us about them. 

Got a favourite place for your morning coffee? We want to know more. Got a shout-out for a local business that helps the community? Get in touch. Help us tell the story of the hidden gems that make Barking and Dagenham unique.

We’ve already started doing this on our social media channels but we need you to tell us more! Send us a message on our social media channels or drop us an email at socialmedia@lbbd.gov.uk

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It Starts Here in action

As well as celebrating the great and good of our borough, It Starts Here is about bringing people and organisations together to take collective action to make Barking and Dagenham a better place.

We’ve already started this through our Days of Action, which bring together council services, Councillors, schools, businesses, voluntary groups and volunteers to tackle the big issues like fly-tipping, pot holes and graffiti in hotspots across the borough.