In 2006/07 over 70% of residents said that Redbridge is a place where people from different backgrounds get on well together. The growing Redbridge Faith Forum plays a big part in this, bringing different faith groups together, and Redbridge is home to a wealth of faith and community events.

Good leisure facilities are important for strong communities. A new charitable trust, Redbridge Leisure and Culture Vision, was set up to run the Council’s leisure facilities, with residents on the Trust Board. Plans have already been confirmed for a major leisure centre in Cricklefield Road in Ilford.

A spin-off from the Olympics will be a brand new cycle centre at Hog Hill and Fairlop Waters Country Park is now back in the hands of the community.

Tenants voted for Council homes to be transferred to a new organisation called Redbridge Homes. This will bring the improvements that tenants said they wanted to see such as new kitchens and bathrooms and better communal areas.

It’s important that residents play a part in decisions and plans for their communities. We would like to see more young people on the Youth Council, additional members for the Faith Forum and local people getting involved in improvements for their area. To find out more about opportunities to get involved look in Redbridge Life or visit Redbridge i.

“ My wife and I have generally enjoyed living in multi-faith Redbridge for 12 years. Generally speaking we believe that most people get along quite well with each other, although it is very important that we all work hard to help people from different countries and cultures live together.”

Mr Hyde, Member of the Faith Forum