The new round of community assemblies has started, with our first Forest Gate and Maryland community assembly held last week.

If you aren’t familiar with this work in Newham, where local residents can vote to allocate money to projects created and run by their neighbours, and local voluntary organisations, you can find out more about it in this video here:

All the official information about the process, including forms and guidance about how to apply for funding, are on the Newham Co Create platform here:

https://newhamco-create.co.uk/en/folders/assemblies-2022

If you’d like to apply to be a member of the Working Group that oversees the process, or if you’re thinking of applying with a project but have some questions, you can email the staff at the Gate library on CN.ForestGate@newham.gov.uk

This year, you can also attend a project clinic to learn more about applying for funding. There are two separate clinics being run, one for individuals, and one for voluntary organisations:

Project clinic: Resident applicants Monday 30th May, 6-7:15pm
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrduqhrjIrGdVLAkf53b6oQTcMf26TCxEZ

Project clinic: VCF applicants Tuesday 31st May, 6-7:15pm
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIoc-mrpjkiGNYUUjur41Yp_8lMghGlkfry

Last year, residents’ votes allocated money towards a range of different projects, from installing planters on Upton Lane, from a raft for nesting birds in Forest Lane Park, to brightly coloured pavement art to signpost families to local playgrounds. You can read about all of the successful projects here:
https://newhamco-create.co.uk/en/projects/forest-gate-community-assemblies/8

If you are in Forest Gate North, and you have a project in mind, and would like to discuss it informally, please do drop me a line. The staff at the Gate are the experts in terms of the process, but if I can help then I will very happily do so. My email, as ever, is rachel.tripp@newham.gov.uk