What's on at libraries, community hubs and children's centres

What's on at libraries, community hubs and children's centres

We offer so much more than books, study spaces, activities. We bring in many different services available in partnership with various partners. These events are FREE* to join without any prior booking. Join us on the day of the event! Please note - each event has a maximum capacity. There are some events which require prior booking and a small fee. This will be clearly labelled as follows:

Booking Required - This means you need to book your place before attending the event. Information on how to book the event will be included in the details below where applicable.

No events will take place on all bank holidays and public holidays. Schedules may change without prior notice.

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Weekly Programmes for 0-5 Years Old

All Around the World (0-5 Years Old - all ages welcome and no booking required)
Singing popular Nursery Rhymes with actions and signing No need to book, just turn up and sign in.

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub - Friday, 10am to 10.45am

Babbling Babes (0-18 Months Old)
A group for parents/carers and their babies aged 0-18 months. This group gives you special time to play, explore, and communicate with your baby.

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub - Thursday, 1.15pm to 2.15pm
  • Becontree Community Hub - Tuesday, 10am to 11am
  • Dagenham Library Community Hub - Tuesday, 1.30pm to 2.30pm
  • Heath Community Hub (previously William Bellamy) - Friday,10am to 11am
  • Marks Gate Community Hub - Thursday, 1pm to 2pm

Cocoon Together Early Years (0-5 Years Old) – booking required – contact  earlyyearscocoon@gmail.com

  • Dagenham Library Community Hub – Wednesday, 10am – 11am and 11am – 12pm

Dads Rock (0-5 Years Old - all ages welcome and no booking required)
Playgroup for new and experienced dads, stepdads, grandads, uncles and men with parental responsibilty. Mums welcome as well!

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub - Saturday, 10am - 11.30am

Let’s Get Moving (0-5 Years Old)

A fun family session to get active and moving together through songs and music

  • Becontree Community Hub - Tuesday, 1.30pm to 2pm
  • Valence Library - Monday, 1pm to 1.30pm

Sensory Room (0 - 5 Years Old), Booking Required
Come and enjoy our Sensory Room - a safe, stimulating, enclosed environment to help children stimulate their senses Sensory Room is suitable for 0-5 year old children accompanied by an adult, parent or carer.

  • Thames Community Hub - Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm, please call for booking  0208 270 6619
  • Marks Gate Community Hub - Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm, please call for booking 020 8270 4165

Stay and Play (0-5 Years Old) - Fun session for all the family

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub - Thursday, 9.30am to 10.25am & 10.40am to 11.35am
  • Dagenham Library Community Hub - Tuesday, 10am to 11.30am
  • Village Community Hub (previously Leys Children's Centre) - Wednesday, 10am to 11.30am* Parent led
  • Marks Gate Community Hub - Thursday, 10am to 11.30am
  • Thames Community Hub (previously Sue Bramley) - Monday, 10am - 11.30am
  • Valence Library - Monday, 10am to 11.30am

Story & Rhyme (0-5 Years Old) - A group for parents, carers and children to read, share books, share rhymes, and make friends together.

  • Marks Gate Community Hub - every Monday 9.30am - 11.15am

Talking Toddlers (0-5 Years Old) - A group that encourages children with their mums, dads and carers to learn, make friends and communicate through play

  • Robert Jeyes Community Library - every Monday, 10am - 11am

Tots N Play (0-5 Years Old - all ages welcome and no booking required)

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub - every Monday, 9.30am - 11am

Programmes and Courses for 0-5 Years Old:

Baby Massage (0 - 10 Months Old), Booking Required - Click Here
A 5-week course which gives mums, dads and carers the opportunity to spend special time interacting with their babies using massage.  It helps with babies communication, sleep and digestion. Bring blanket, bottle and changing bag include nappies and clothes.

  • Becontree Community Hub - Thursday, 1.30pm to 2.30pm
  • Dagenham Library Community Hub - Tuesday, 12noon to 1pm
  • Gascoigne Children's Centre - Friday, 11.45am to 12.45pm
  • Heath Community Hub (previously William Bellamy) - Friday, 1pm to 2pm
  • Thames Community Hub (previously Sue Bramley) - Monday, 1pm to 2pm

HENRY Programme (0-5 Years Old, Booking Required - Click Here)
The Healthy Families programme is a free 8-week session, evidence-based programme which supports families with children aged 0-5 years to develop a healthier lifestyle for the whole family. It supports physical and emotional wellbeing, and covers nutrition, physical activity, portion sizes, screen time, self-care, exploring feelings, and managing challenging behaviour. Families will receive FREE leisure vouchers to use for soft play, swimming, and Junior Gym on completion of the programme.

Infant feeding Café
All mothers and babies are welcome to join us for a drink and a chat. For more information on sessions and advice please email InfantFeedingBar&Dagenham@nelft.nhs.uk

  • Becontree Community Hub - Monday, 10am - 12pm

Parenting Programme
Do you have any questions and concerns around the following then come and join us Wednesday and Friday 1pm to 2.30pm Toilet Training, Sleep, Fussy Eating, Starting Solids, Healthy Teeth, Parenting Styles, Play and Language Workshop Click her to register Programme Registration Form

Play & Communication Advice Sessions
A one-to-one session with a play and communication worker if you have concerns regarding your child’s play and communication skills. Click her to register Programme Registration Form

Programmes for 5+ Years Old

Reading Beez (5-13 Years Old)
This is a fun opportunity to improve your reading skills and collect prizes along the way. You will also learn about endangered animals and how you can help save them by taking part in fun activities. There are 5 levels to complete altogether, you can complete each level by reading 20 library books. You will also have the opportunity of being invited to special award ceremonies that celebrate reading.  If you want to take part, please ask at your nearest library to sign up for the challenge.

  • Dagenham Library Community Hub - Tuesday, 4pm - 5pm and Saturday, 1pm - 4pm
  • Thames Community Hub (previously Sue Bramley) - every Monday, 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Weekly Programmes for Adults:

Arts and Crafts for Adults (Adults)

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub – Tuesday, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
  • Marks Gate Community Hub – Wednesday, 2pm – 4pm
  • Valence Library – Thursday, 1.45pm – 3.45pm

Barking Toastmasters Club (16+ Years Old), Booking Required - Click Here
It is a toastmasters club with a single aim of providing a platform to people across cultures and ethnicity, to connect, improve on public speaking skills while growing together as individuals and as a community

  • Online - 1st, 3rd & 5th Saturday of the month: 10am – 12pm

BRIC (Adults, pre-booked appointment only)

  • Marks Gate Community Hub - every Monday from 11am - 3pm

Community Food Club - members only Click here to apply to join the community food club
You could reduce your food shopping bill by having access to roughly £20 worth of shopping each week. Membership is available for one person per household, to visit once a week and is valid for 3 months. Your membership will give you access to support from a wide range of services, providing advice on finances, health, employment, training and skills. You will also have access to a shared community garden to grow your own produce and opportunities to work on community projects with fellow residents.

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub - Tuesday, 12pm - 2pm
  • Dagenham Library Community Hub - Friday, 11am - 1pm
  • Heath Community Hub (previously William Bellamy) - Wednesday, 12pm - 4pm
  • Marks Gate Community Hub - Wednesday, 11am - 1pm
  • Thames Community Hub (previously, Sue Bramley) - Friday, 12pm - 2pm

Health Group (Adults with Learning Disabilities),

LEAN Living (Adults, Booking Required, Booking Required - Click Here)

  • Online - every Monday, 6pm - 7pm

MGRP Soup Kitchen (Adults)

  • Marks Gate Community Hub - every Monday, 4pm - 9pm

Mums Matter (Adults) - Booking Required - Call 01708 457 040 or Email mumsmatter@haveringmind.org.uk

  • Becontree Community Hub - Thursday, 9am - 1pm
  • Thames Community Hub (previously Sue Bramley) – Wednesday, 10am – 1pm

Saturday Book Club (Adults)

  • Valence Library – 1st Saturday of the month: 10.30am – 12pm

Shed Life

  • Thames Community Hub (previously Sue Bramley) – Wednesday, 10am – 12.30pm

Pen to Print Classes and Workshops: 

We believe everybody should have a chance to tell their story and aim to build a network of expertise and support for aspiring writers in Barking and Dagenham and sharing this with a wider national and international community. For more information, please visit https://pentoprint.org/

Creative Writing Classes - Are you an emerging writer? Do you aspire to be a novelist or short story writer?

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub and Online, first Saturday of the month, 10.30am - 12.30pm

Playwriting Classes - guiding participants through all the vital aspects of writing a play, from the initial idea to the finished play on the stage.

  • Online via Microsoft Teams - second Wednesday of the month, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Poetry Classes - Join Anna Robinson for guidance on your initial approach to writing and developing your poetry skills.

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub and Online, first Saturday of the month, 1pm - 3pm

Screenwriting Classes - An introduction to the illusion that is the silver screen, guiding you through the fundamental principles of writing a film screenplay.

  • Online via Microsoft Teams - second Wednesday of the month, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

NHS NELFT Clinic

Midwife Clinic - pre-booked appointments only - for appointments, please contact your midwife team.

  • Becontree Community Hub - Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9am - 4pm
  • Heath Community Hub (previously William Bellamy) - Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am - 4pm
  • Marks Gate Community Hub - Tuesday and Wednesday, 9am - 5pm
  • Thames Community Hub (previously, Sue Bramley) - Wednesday, 9am - 1pm; Friday, 9.15am - 4.30pm

NHS NELFT Perinatal Mental Health Clinic - pre-booked appointments only

  • Becontree Community Hub - Monday, 9am - 5pm

NHS NELFT IAPT Talking Therapies - pre-booked appointments only

  • Becontree Community Hub - Tuesday, 9am - 5pm

Information, Advice & Guidance:

Cancer Awareness Session - Community Links
London based charity, Community Links, is excited to offer a programme of population awareness of cancer in the North East London area (Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest).

  • Becontree Community Hub - 1st session on Wednesday 01/03/2023 and then every first Wednesday of the Month, 10am - 12pm

Citizens Advice - appointment only - contact Citizens Advice on 0808 278 7870 or visit their website www.bdcab.org.uk.

  • Heath Community Hub (previously, William Bellamy) - Wednesday, 11am - 3pm
  • Thames Community Hub (previously, Sue Bramley) - Friday, 11am - 3pm

Fast, Free & Confidential HIV & STI Testing - www.positiveeast.org.uk/hivtest

  • Dagenham Library Community Hub – 1st Thursday of the Month, 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Work & Skills Support - appointment only - contact 020 8270 6619

  • Thames Community Hub (previously, Sue Bramley) - Friday, 11am - 2pm

Young at Heart – programmes for over 60s

Our Young at Heart programme and Community Social Sessions are for Barking and Dagenham residents over the age of 60, to improve mental and physical wellbeing. Sessions are available at a variety of times in community settings and include: zumba gold, bingo, line dancing, tai chi, arts and craft, yoga. Young at Heart and Ageing Well Membership - for £52 per year, Barking & Dagenham residents aged 60+ can access the Abbey Leisure Centre and Becontree Heath Leisure Centre Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm and all weekend. Please contact the Leisure Centres for more information or contact Healthy Lifestyles Team on 020 8724 8018 or email at healthy.lifestyles@lbbd.gov.uk.

Arts & Crafts (over 60s only)

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub - every Tuesday, 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Bingo (over 60s only) - there is a charge to Bingo sessions for the books and other games.

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub - every Monday and Thursday, 12.30pm - 3pm
  • Chadwell Heath Community Centre - every Friday, 12.45pm - 3pm
  • Park Centre - every Wednesday and Thursday, 12.30pm - 3pm

Ballroom Dancing (over 60s only)

  • Abbey Leisure Centre - every Friday, 1.30pm - 2.30pm - (Young at Heart/Ageing Well Membership required)

Boccia (over 60s only)

  • Chadwell Heath Community Centre - every Friday, 10.45am - 11.45am

Chair Exercise (over 60s only)

  • Park Centre - every Wednesday, 11.30am - 12.15pm
  • Thames Community Hub - every Monday, 12.30pm - 1.30pm

Coffee Morning (over 60s only)

  • Online - every Tuesday, 10.30am - 11.30am, email June.Yates@lbbd.gov.uk for bookings.

Crafts (£1 to cover Tea & Coffee) (over 60s only)

  • Valence Library - every Thursday, 1.45pm - 3.45pm

Dart & Snooker (over 60s only)

  • Wantz Community Centre - every Tuesday, 12pm - 3.45pm

Darts (over 60s only)

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub - every Tuesday, 1.30pm - 3.45pm
  • Parks Centre - every Thursday, 9.45am - 11am

Digital Support - Digital Champion (over 60s only)

  • Valence Library - every Thursday, 12pm - 3pm

Golden Years (over 60s only)

  • Thames Community Hub (previously Sue Bramley) – Wednesday, 1pm – 3pm

FitSteps (over 60s only)

  • Park Centre - every Wednesday, 10am - 11pm
  • Valence Library - every Monday 1pm - 2pm

Hoy (over 60s only)

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub - every Wednesday, 12.30pm - 3.30pm

Knit & Natter (over 60s only)

  • Chadwell Heath Community Centre - every Friday,1pm - 3pm
  • Park Centre - every Thursday, 10am - 12pm (Tutor-led)

Line Dancing (over 60s only)

  • Chadwell Heath Community Centre - every Friday, 10.30am - 12pm
  • Valence Library - every Monday 1am - 12pm
  • Wantz Community Centre - every Tuesday, 12.15pm - 1.30pm

Music Quiz (over 60s only)

  • Online - every Friday, 7pm - 8pm, email June.Yates@lbbd.gov.uk for bookings.

Pennu Charity (over 60s only)

  • Marks Gate Community Hub - last Monday of the month 12pm - 2pm

Self Defence (over 60s only)

  • Valence Library - every Thursday, 11.30am - 12.30pm

Short Mat Bowls (over 60s only)

  • Ripple Centre - every Thursday, 10am - 12pm

Streets Apart Walk (over 60s only)

  • Park Centre - every Tuesday, 10am - 11am

Supple Strength (over 60s only)

  • M&B Sports Club - every Thursday, 11.30am - 12.30pm

Tai Chi (over 60s only)

  • Park Centre - every Thursday, 11am - 12pm
  • Valence Library - every Monday, 2.30pm - 3.30pm

Tea Dance (over 60s only)

  • Wantz Community Centre - every Tuesday, 2pm - 3.45pm

Walking Football (over 60s only)

  • Becontree Heath Leisure Centre - every Wednesday, 11.30am - 12.pm (Young at Heart/Ageing Well Membership required)

Yoga and Relaxation (over 60s only)

  • Abbey Leisure Centre - every Monday, 10am - 11.30am (Young at Heart/Ageing Well Membership required)
  • Hedgecock Community Centre - every Wednesday, 10am - 11.30am

Yoga (over 60s only)

  • Fanshawe Community Centre - every Tuesday, 2.15pm - 3.45pm

Yoga and Meditation (over 60s only)

  • M&B Sports Club - every Thursday, 10am - 11.15am

Yoga and Meditation - Seated (over 60s only)

  • Valence Library - every Wednesday, 11am - 12.15pm

Yoga and Meditation - Mat-based (over 60s only)

  • Valence Library - every Wednesday, 12.30pm - 1.45pm

Zumba (over 60s only)

  • Ripple Centre - every Thursday, 7.30pm - 8.30pm

Zumba Gold (over 60s only)

  • Chadwell Heath Community Centre - every Friday, 12.30pm - 1.30pm
  • Park Centre - every Thursday, 3pm - 4pm
  • Valence Library - every Wednesday, 1.50pm - 2.5pm

Computer Classes and Digital Support Sessions:

Basic Computer Classes (for beginners)
If you are new to using a computer or want some support, please drop-in to the free computer classes as shown below.  Residents can bring in their own devices or use the library computers.

  • Barking Learning Centre Community Hub

    • every Monday and Friday from 10am to 12pm
    • every Sunday from 12pm to 1pm
  • Dagenham Library Community Hub
    • every second Saturday from 23 October 2021
    • every Tuesday, Get on with IT from 2pm to 4pm
  • Valence Library
    • every Monday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm for residents aged 60 years or over

Digital Support Sessions:
Do you need a safe space to access a computer and use the internet?  Are you looking for a quiet location to pay a bill, do some shopping, book tickets or apply for that free bus pass?

At the Adult College, we offer free drop-in Digital Support Sessions where you can book a slot to borrow one of our internet-connected computers for your own use.  We even have a friendly face on hand to help if you have a question