Riverside School Secures £300,000 Lottery Grant for Thames Ward Community Project

Margaret Hodge MP has helped Riverside School secure over £300,000 Lottery funding to support the community in Thames Ward. Home to the largest housing development in London, with over 11,000 new homes being built, the population of Thames ward is expected to double over the next four years. Yet the community still faces considerable challenges. There is an urgent need to build community infrastructure in a ward that is facing the biggest upheaval in the borough. The funding will be used to ensure that both the old and new communities come together to benefit everyone and create a strong, united ward and make sure that the new opportunities benefit everyone.

The Lottery grant will go towards funding a director of community engagement and a community organiser whose priority will be to develop a strong community base from which to tackle environmental neglect, overstretched services, support existing community groups, access training and create job opportunities. We hope that in three years, a new Community-run Development Trust will be established to carry this work forward for the whole community of Thames ward. If you’re interested in applying for the role of director of community engagement please find the details of the role and how to apply here: http://www.riversidecampus.com/secondary/?page_id=80

Margaret Hodge MP for Barking said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Big Lottery Fund has supported Riverside School’s application on behalf of the community in Thames ward. Thames is one of the poorest areas in the borough and I am determined that this funding will create one united ward and stop any chance of it becoming a tale of two cities. I want to make sure that all residents are involved in and can benefit from the developments on Barking Riverside and this Lottery funding will make a huge difference in generating community activity. I look forward to continuing to work with Riverside School and community groups in Thames to ensure this money is put to good use.”

Andy Roberts, Head teacher for Riverside School said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Riverside School and demonstrates our commitment to serving our students and the wider local community. With our new state-of-the-art building opening in September, based in the heart of Thames ward, we will be a powerful driving force for social cohesion and regeneration. Our school provides a unique opportunity for the residents of Thames and we will continue to do everything possible to ensure students and parents benefit from the opportunities created by the Riverside development programme.”