Newham Resource Library

From "People Powered Forest Gate & Maryland"

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Proposed budget

GBP 19,050

Description

Newham Community Resource Library

We are proposing a new Community Resource Library in Forest Gate to support grassroots groups, residents, and local initiatives across Newham. This project will provide gazebos, tables, chairs and other essential event equipment for low-cost or free hire, enabling community groups to run inclusive, accessible activities in public spaces. From cultural festivals to health outreach, gardening workshops to youth-led pop-ups, the Library will help unlock creativity and connection.

Hosted by One Newham, a trusted local organisation, the Library will be easy to access, with an online booking system and community-led management. It will also offer guidance on event planning, safeguarding and promotion, helping residents build confidence and skills.

This project responds directly to community feedback calling for more shared resources, support for small groups and better use of local spaces. It will strengthen networks, reduce barriers to participation, and make it easier for residents to bring their ideas to life.

We invite you to support this project and help us build a more vibrant, collaborative Forest Gate and wider Newham. Please comment, share, and vote!

Comments(14)

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Profile of Bokelo Weyalo

Posted by:Bokelo Weyalo

9 months ago

Wonderful! We (=small community organisations such as Salem Health Project which I represent) need this kind of initiatives for our own development in order to support efficiently our beneficiaries in the community. I trust that Community Resource Library will become Reality.

1 like

Profile of Joy Canter

Posted by:Joy Canter

9 months ago

@Bokelo Weyalo Thank you for your support! Gazebos & Chairs are already available!

Profile of Jay Smith

Posted by:Jay Smith

10 months ago

Hello. I couldn’t get to the voting event yesterday so I’m asking the same questions what I’d ask in person – what is the money being spent on? As in a rough breakdown as I want to know what I will actually get for my vote? Where is it happening?

Profile of Joy Canter

Posted by:Joy Canter

9 months ago

@Jay Smith Thank you for the question This is a suggestion as we are happy to take ideas from community as to what might be needed Tables (already budgeted) £240 x 42 £10,080 Chairs (stackable, durable) £37 x 40 £1,480 Extension leads & power strips £20 x 10 £200 Tablecloths & chair covers 15 x 30 £450 Portable PA system (basic) £350 x 1 £350 Microphones (wireless) £100 x 2 £200 Battery-powered or solar lighting £40 x 10 £400 Whiteboards or flipcharts with markers £60 x 2 £120 Umbrellas or parasols £30 x 6 180 Portable flooring/matting (per set) £150 x 2 £300 Waste bins & recycling stations £40 x 4 £160 Portable ramps £250 x 1 £250 Accessible seating options £75 x 4 £300 First aid kits £30 x 2 £60 Water dispensers / urns £80 x 2 £160 Banners (reusable, branded) £60 x 3 £180 Display boards / easels £40 x 4 £160 Battery-operated lanterns/lights £25 x 10 £250 Event registration kits (clipboards, pens) £10 x 10 £100 Storage boxes / crates £15 x 20 £300 All items would be available for use by community groups Laminator or badge maker 100 1 100 Staging 4m x 2m 3657 1 3657 19,437

Profile of Jay Smith

Posted by:Jay Smith

9 months ago

@Joy Canter Thank you very much for all this detail, this is really great, and thanks for answering as loads of others havent even bothered and most of those that have havent answered the actual questions I was even asking anyway. These all sound very useful. Only thing I would add is if youre offering plug extensions then also those things that go over cables so people dont trip over them. I remember your last project about the free gazebos at the football club, is that where these will be stored as well? I am presuming there is enough space for all of this as I don't see any storage costs in your breakdown. I am guessing that you will charge Newham businesses and individuals to hire this stuff at full rate to offset hiring it out to community groups for free, am I right? What kind of rates would those be?

1 like

Profile of Joy Canter

Posted by:Joy Canter

9 months ago

@Jay Smith Thank you for interest. Yes, it would include rubber matting for cables. If successful, the new items for the resource library would be kept with the gazebos at the storage in football club. Currently the cost to hire a gazebo is £20.

Profile of Jay Smith

Posted by:Jay Smith

9 months ago

@Joy Canter Thank you for clarifying. Can you confirm that Newham community groups will still be able to borrow anything for free, and its just Newham businesses and individuals who will pay your hire rates? This is an important point for me and many others I know as to where our votes go.

Profile of Joy Canter

Posted by:Joy Canter

9 months ago

@Jay Smith - during the funding period it will be free, obviously we will continue to support organisations in Forest Gate. For wider Newham we would look at minimal / low cost to cover volunteer expenses. This was something that came up during the previous project & suggested by the working group to maintain sustainability, which has worked really well.

Profile of Babs Pierre

Posted by:Babs Pierre

10 months ago

Love this!