The Borough of Barking and Dagenham community is committed to joining forces to build a brighter future for generations to come.
Social Value is a collective term for everything that matters to communities, such as job creation, security, access to healthcare and education, and the upkeep and improvement of the surrounding environments. All of these systems work together to create a unified network working towards the common good of the welfare of the entire community – from local businesses, organisations and all the residents that reside there.
A collective vision
BD_Collective believes in the power of unity in the community, bringing together the social sector in partnerships that provide meaningful value. Driven by a system of shared values that are Connection, Trust, Accountability and Power Sharing, BD_Collective is a movement aimed at transforming the Borough to become one in which everyone can thrive.
Through tangible change that benefits all the residents of Barking and Dagenham, we aim to foster sustainable change that allows for empowerment and inclusivity for all who reside and work in our remarkable borough.
Meet the team
Cameron Bray is an integral part of our team and works for BD Giving, a participatory local funder, that involves residents in decision-making about how funding gets used. This organisation has given over 100 residents the ability to facilitate investments of over £2.5m in grants and investments since 2020.
To facilitate this, BD Giving supports and develops the ability of the people within the borough to have important and difficult conversations. This process also allows the organisation to share their learnings around funding decisions and they have been involved with BD_Collective since inception with a great vested interest in supporting the social infrastructure in the area.
“We believe that a strong social infrastructure, run by and for local organisations, is needed to ensure a thriving Barking and Dagenham for residents.”
Faye Elliott is a team member representing the local council, with invaluable knowledge of social value and the implementation of social policy. Large contractors are required to add additional SV (social value) benefits to the Borough on top of the goods or services they provide.
Social Value focuses on three themes: investment in local people, the local economy and environmental sustainability. Suppliers can offer a variety of these social value commitments such as work experience placement, food bank donation, support to local support to social sector organisations and jobs to local people. LBBD (London Borough of Barking and Dagenham) is eager to work alongside BD_Collective to enhance and amplify the impact that can be offered to the borough through social value.
“LBBD hopes to better understand the Social Value requirements of the Borough, and its residents, through the organisations that operate here. Working together to better meet that need.”
Georgina Alexiou is the Founder and Project Manager of B&D Youth Dance and the winner of both the Business Woman of the Year 2022 and the Outstanding Woman of the Year 2022 at the Women’s Empowerment Awards. Barking and Dagenham Youth Dance (BDYD) is a dynamic grassroots charity that has been delivering youth arts and culture projects in the Borough since 2003- in addition to their arts programmes, they also provide youth social action projects to ensure young people are allowed to challenge systems and shift power.
Georgina joined BD_Collective to try and find new ways of working in the Borough, and is particularly interested in the shifting dynamics between the smaller and larger organisations in the Borough. She wants to strive to make the community sector more equal.
“To make a change and shift narratives we must foster a fairer way of working that encourages diversity and unpicks disparities where we see decision-making from the grassroots up.”
Avril McIntyre steps into the role of Chair at BD_Collective with a warmth that instantly puts everyone at ease. With nearly 25 years of hands-on experience in charity leadership under her belt, Avril brings a ‘get it done’ approach to the table. Her knack for nurturing charities, mastering fundraising, and, above all, forming genuine partnerships is what makes her an important member of the BD_Collective team.
“More can be achieved as we collaborate, building on our communities’ strengths as we tackle issues.”
Looking forward
Our efforts to bring together a multitude of people and organisations have already resulted in positive change, such as the case with the John Smith House consortium where we have witnessed small organisations working with the youth to bring about immense positive change.
Recent Comments