Barking MP Nesil Caliskan recently visited the Ripple Community Centre in Barking to see first-hand how the MyEnds programme is supporting young people and families in Northbury Ward.
Funded by the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), the award-winning programme is delivered in partnership with the West Ham United Foundation, who lead a consortium with other organisations such as: Be Heard As One, Box Up Crime, Youth League UK and Lifeline Projects.
Sessions run daily in Northbury Ward, Barking and Dagenham, providing vital resources for community-led prevention and intervention, as well as offering support to young people aged 10-25 and their families.
The programme focuses on creating safe, positive opportunities for young people, including mentoring, sport, arts, music and job support, alongside after-school activities and parental guidance. By bringing together grassroots organisations, youth leaders and families, MyEnds works to prevent violence and strengthen community connections at a neighbourhood level.
During her visit, Mrs Caliskan MP met with young people and project leads to hear first-hand about the positive impact of the initiative.
"It was a pleasure to visit the MyEnds programme and witness the outstanding work they are doing with young people in Barking and Dagenham," she said.
"I listened to the young people share how much they enjoy and benefit from the activities on offer. Positive spaces empower young people and help them reach their full potential, and it's great to see programmes like MyEnds provide communities with local support to build on this great work."
In-between discussions, Mrs Caliskan also participated in games of dodgeball and Guess Who, interacting with children of all ages and backgrounds.
Speaking about the sessions, one young person said: “Before coming here, I didn’t really have anywhere to go after school. Now I’ve got mentors I can talk to and friends I’ve made through coming here, which has helped me to feel more confident.”
Barking and Dagenham was chosen as a focus area for MyEnds because, while it is home to one of the youngest populations in the country, it also faces significant challenges. Nearly a third of residents are under 18, and the borough consistently ranks among the most deprived areas in England. For many families, financial pressures and a shortage of affordable youth activities mean children and teenagers often lack safe spaces after school.
Community groups have highlighted that this can leave young people more vulnerable to isolation, anti-social behaviour and violence. By concentrating MyEnds in Northbury Ward, partners are working to address these issues at a neighbourhood level, creating safe, accessible spaces where young people can take part in positive activities and build trusted relationships with mentors.
The Violence Reduction Unit and its partners saw Barking and Dagenham as a priority, not only because of the challenges, but also because of its strong community networks. With grassroots organisations, local leaders and families already active in supporting young people, the borough provides a foundation where investment can have a lasting impact.
