Barking and Dagenham is home to people from many different cultures, backgrounds, beliefs and traditions – and it’s something we’re so proud of. 

For many people, faith is part of the fabric of everyday life – with over 75% of our residents identifying as having a faith. It’s a source of identity, belonging, comfort, purpose and hope for many in the borough.

Every day, faith organisations open their doors to support communities with a range of different services. From the traditional pastoral and spiritual care, to feeding, comforting and providing space for community activities to take place. 

As part of our It Starts Here campaign, we’re shining a light on the faith communities that play such an important role in bringing people together.

We have a proud and cherished history of coming together to support one another and we understand that “cohesion” isn’t a statement; it’s something lived, shared, and built together over time.

Barking & Dagenham Faith Leaders Network

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Faith and community – in the spotlight

Al Madina

Al Madina Mosque is a community hub serving 17,000 people weekly. Alongside worship, supplementary religious and adult education, it delivers "cradle to grave" support: money and debt advice, housing, employment and skills, counselling in its tenth year, family and bereavement support, advocacy, domestic violence, crime prevention, health and emergency response, much of it with local authority and third sector partners.

A Beacon Mosque, its cost-of-living services include free weekly hot meals for pensioners, 1,000 free loaves distributed weekly to 20 community organisations, a food bank supporting 80 families, a subsidised community supermarket and winter Warm Spaces. 

Adult social care spans day care, domiciliary care, home help and handyman services. It runs an award-winning sports programme, The Hive women's centre and the Sensory Hive special needs provision, commissioned by two local authorities, plus marriage and funeral services. In 2022 it received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

Power-House International Ministries (PHIM)

Power-House International Ministries (PHIM) is a lively, multicultural, Bible-based Pentecostal church in Dagenham, Essex. We are a welcoming Christian community of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities, united by our faith and our desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

As a registered UK charity, we are committed to demonstrating God’s love through practical support and community outreach. Our activities include a fortnightly Tea & Coffee fellowship for over-60s, providing a safe and friendly space for companionship and connection. Our Food Bank supports individuals and families experiencing hardship, while our Sickle Cell outreach provides education, signposting and raises public awareness for those affected by the condition.

At PHIM, we believe in the God-given potential of every person and encourage everyone to participate, serve and contribute to building a stronger community.

Kingsley Hall

Kingsley Hall is a place for the people – a church and community centre at the heart of Barking and Dagenham for nearly 100 years.

The exist to help communities live well. By ‘living well’ they mean creating opportunities for local people of all ages to fulfil their potential in educational, emotional, physical, social and vocational health and wellbeing throughout Barking and Dagenham and beyond.

Since its work began in 1929, thousands have visited Kingsley Hall, to worship, celebrate and find friends, both in times of peace and times of great difficulty. It’s still the same today. This vibrant community hub, with café, preschool and church fellowships, welcomes hundreds of people every week.