Hello Everyone,
It’s been a week when matters of fairness and justice have been at the fore.
Kicking off with a celebration with residents to celebrate the Carpenters Estate Restoration and Regeneration Programme, one of London’s largest and most ambitious estate renewal projects, which is about restoring pride, strengthening community ties, and proving that inclusive growth can set new standards for fairness, sustainability and inclusion for local people!
For too long, Carpenters was a symbol of neglect. But now, guided by a resident-led masterplan, we are turning it into a benchmark for best practice in estate renewal. Over the next 12 years, we will deliver more than 2,300 new and refurbished homes, with half genuinely affordable at social rent. Alongside this, 29,000 square metres of new community infrastructure will be created, including a new school, green spaces, cultural venues, sports facilities and a new venue for the Carpenters and Docklands Centre as well.
Midweek, I was at the DigiGov Expo at ExCeL London, the UK’s largest public sector technology conference, bringing together thousands of professionals from across government, public services and the tech industry to Newham! It’s important that events like these are happening in our borough. Significantly, I was proud to be able to showcase the pioneering work we’re leading on in Newham at the Expo when I spoke on the panel about the ‘Data and AI for Inclusive Growth: Building Skills, Bridging the Digital Divide’. I highlighted the success of our Newham Data Programme, which has already trained more than 2,000 residents in vital digital and data skills.
Through partnerships with schools, universities and employers, we are future-proofing our residents for the jobs of tomorrow and making sure no one is left behind in the AI economy. This work aligns directly with our Growth Plan 2025–2030, which sets out a vision of Newham as a national centre for data, AI and innovation, while always putting fairness, opportunity and inclusion first.
On that collaborative note, today I was delighted to host the third session of our Our Newham Futures Partnership Innovation Lab. Developed in collaboration with partners, including UCL, this ambitious initiative brings together more than 100 partners from across our borough - business, voluntary, community, public and faith sectors - to co-design a 10-year place vision for Newham. We held a hackathon focused on turning challenges into opportunities, with partners collaborating on missions that will transform our borough and secure inclusive growth for the decade ahead. The passion, creativity and determination in the room was electric - a reminder of the collective strength we have in Newham when we work together.
Talking of working together, last night it was fantastic to celebrate the very first edition of Royal Docks Originals – the new biennial festival created with, and by, the people of the Royal Docks and here in Newham.
Royal Docks Originals is about much more than showcasing brilliant art and performance, though we certainly have plenty of that. It is about telling the story of Newham through culture, and about investing in the creativity of our residents so that everyone shares in the opportunities this borough has to offer.
Culture is one of Newham’s oldest and greatest strengths. It brings people together, builds pride and belonging, and creates the conditions for inclusive growth – where the benefits of investment and regeneration are felt by local people first and foremost. That’s why our 15-year Cultural Strategy – Building Newham’s Creative Future – puts culture at the heart of our ambitions.
The Royal Docks is an area of the borough that sits at the centre of that vision. We want it to become one of London’s Cultural Engines – a place where culture is made, where creative businesses thrive, and where young people can see pathways into exciting careers in the cultural and creative industries. Already, there are eight creative workspaces here in the Docks, and through festivals like this, we are strengthening the ecosystem that will drive opportunity, skills and jobs for generations to come.
This first edition of Royal Docks Originals shows what’s possible: 146 artists and creatives, 91% from Newham, are part of this programme, alongside over 1,500 residents. Royal Docks Originals is on until Saturday, 4 October. Explore the full programme here.
I cannot believe it’ll be October next week! We’re gearing up for Black History Month - a vital time to celebrate the rich contributions, culture, and legacies of Black communities in Newham and across the world. This year’s theme is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride.’ In our borough, Black History Month is about more than remembrance. It’s about pride, education, connection, and recognising that Black history is Newham’s history. You can explore the full programme on our dedicated website www.newhamblackhistory.org.
Finally, you’ll be aware that there are many things happening globally that matter to our communities living locally here. That’s all part of the richness of our diversity, where we listen to different perspectives and recognise the ‘trade-offs’ required so that all of us can live peacefully in this wonderful borough of ours. Be that on the issue of flags or whether we equitably share our public spaces – there’ll always be a multiplicity of views. I know that, whatever the issue, sense and sensibility ideally should prevail. The alternative isn’t great for us or our communities, and that’s why I love Newham and its people, because of the extraordinary cultural richness we have here in our borough.
As you can see, it’s been a week of symbolism, celebration and substance - from driving forward digital innovation to celebrating the regeneration of an iconic estate. Together, these moments show what we can achieve when we are bold, ambitious and committed to building a fairer Newham for all.
Until next week, stay happy and stay well.
Best wishes, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz |
