Residents’ Charter 2025

The Right to Community Infrastructure:

A new research initiative in Barking and Dagenham

Community spaces, services and amenities are the basis of neighbourhoods that thrive. Yet across the UK, these essential resources have been disappearing under government cuts and financial pressure. In Barking and Dagenham, a borough experiencing rapid population growth and persistent inequalities, the need for strong community infrastructure has never been greater.

The Right to Community Infrastructure is a new research project, led by Thames Life and The Open University, that aims to explore, assess and strengthen the borough’s social infrastructure. Funded by the Open Societal Challenges “Challenge us!” initiative, this project will work closely with local residents to map existing community assets, identify gaps, and develop practical solutions to ensure that infrastructure meets the needs of both current and future generations.

Over 2025 and 2026, fifteen Barking and Dagenham residents will be trained as community researchers, gathering data through interviews, surveys, mapping exercises, and other forms of research residents are interested in developing. Their findings will shape policy recommendations, funding strategies, and a toolkit for empowering other communities to advocate for their right to essential spaces and services.

Dr Dan Taylor, co-organiser of the research network, says: “This community research network is a great opportunity to learn new skills, support positive resident action in your borough and learn more about where you live. It’s open to anyone who is currently a resident of Barking and Dagenham. You don’t need any prior skills or qualifications to join, we just want your enthusiasm. We look forward to hearing from you.”

This project is participatory, community-led, and focused on finding a constructive way forwards. By putting local knowledge at the heart of the research, it sets out to influence planning, investment and decision-making, ensuring that residents have a say in the future of their borough.

Get Involved

If you live in Barking and Dagenham and want to take part in the research, look out for updates about Community Research Network page here.

Or if you’ve read enough and want to register your interest, send us a quick email today.

Contact Vishal Narayan, the research network coordinator: vishal@thames-life.org.uk

Please write to us by 10 October 2025 to express your interest, and we’ll arrange a short chat to discuss.

Find out more by joining our presentation in-person or online at the Thames Life Planning Forum on Tues 7 October at 6pm. We will share the link with you once you email us.

 

What’s it all about? The Barking and Dagenham Community Research Network

The Open University and Thames Life Community Development Trust are excited to announce the launch of a new Community Research Network for Barking and Dagenham. This innovative, year-long project aims to empower local residents to drive impactful research on the right to community infrastructure.

Why community infrastructure?

There are some things all communities need for everyday life – physical facilities, services and amenities that we use every day. Community infrastructure is vital for the well-being and resilience of any community. Yet across the UK, and particularly in areas of high deprivation like Barking and Dagenham, this infrastructure has been deteriorating due to years of underinvestment and government cuts. At the same time, since 2011 the population of the borough has increased by 17% to 219k people. With the borough committed to building 50,000 new homes by 2037, this population increase is putting immense pressure on existing services.

Despite plans for significant growth and development in the borough, there is currently no adequate way to assess the real social and economic impacts of community infrastructure, and ensure it meets the needs of residents. That’s where the Community Research Network comes in.

 

What will the Community Research Network do?

Over one year (October 2025 – September 2026), a range of 15 Barking and Dagenham residents will be recruited and trained as community researchers. They will work closely with academics from the Open University and Thames Life to design and conduct research on the right to community infrastructure in the borough. This will include:

  • Interviews and focus groups with local stakeholders to understand experiences, needs and aspirations related to community infrastructure
  • Surveys of residents and businesses on usage, satisfaction and priorities
  • Mapping of existing community assets and gaps

Using the data gathered, the network will develop and test a robust framework for assessing the impact of community infrastructure and advocating for residents’ infrastructural rights. Findings will be shared through a major report, policy briefings, academic papers, a short film and a community celebration event.

 

Why a participatory approach?

We believe that those most impacted by an issue are best placed to research and address it. The Community Research Network puts residents at the heart of the research process – not as a passive group of people being “researched at”, but in the driving seat of producing knowledge together.

All community researchers will receive training and support to develop research skills and confidence. They will have the opportunity to shape every stage of the project, from setting research questions to interpreting findings to disseminating outputs. Bringing the community into the work, and making it the community’s work – and paying the community accordingly – all ensures that the research serves the public.

What’s the bigger picture?

The Community Research Network has the potential to drive real, lasting change at multiple levels:

  • For participants – gaining valuable skills, experience, connections and agency to make a difference in their community
  • For the borough – generating robust evidence to inform local decision-making and investment in community infrastructure
  • For wider society – pioneering an innovative, participatory approach to community-led research and development that can be replicated elsewhere

Crucially, the network aims to challenge extractive ‘research on communities’ in favour of collaborative ‘research with communities’. It’s about shifting power to residents, valuing diverse forms of knowledge, and using research as a tool for positive social change.

 

What are the practicalities?

  • The time commitment for community researchers is around 60 hours over the year (approx. 5 hours per month), with flexibility to accommodate other commitments. This includes paid time for training and meetings. As the training will happen near the start of the programme, on a day and time that is most convenient for people, please check that you can commit time in October and November for it.
  • No prior research experience is required, just a connection to Barking and Dagenham, an interest in community issues, and a commitment to the project.
  • Researchers will be compensated for their time at the London Living Wage (£13.85/hour).
  • The network is funded by The Open University’s Open Societal Challenges “Challenge us!” scheme. It has been reviewed and approved by The Open University’s research ethics committee.

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