Hello Everyone,
Another sunshine week, and things are certainly hotting up here in Newham with all the brilliant plans underway as kids get ready for their summer holidays and all the cultural and sporting events planned across the borough!
This bumper weekend, it’ll be kicking off with Newham’s Big Football Day at Central Park – all part of the national mobilisation around the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. From 4:00pm to 10:00pm, families from across the borough are invited to take part in a day full of inclusive football activities led by Essex FA and West Ham United, including free sessions for all ages.
There’s also a live outdoor screening of the England vs France match at 8:00pm. What a brilliant way to come together, support the Lionesses and inspire a new generation of girls and women in sport.
I’ll also be heading over to the Forest Gate Community Festival on Osborne Road, organised by local residents for local residents, it’s the longest running community led street festival bringing people together. So do head over for an eclectic celebration of all things creativity, culture and community – there is always something for everyone.
On top of that, I’ll be officially opening the Carpenters Dialogue Express Café – a vibrant new community hub located on the Carpenters Estate in a refurbished 1970s train carriage. All part of our meanwhile projects on the estate as we progress with restoring the neighbourhood and building new homes for our people. Led by local social enterprise Dialogue Hub, the Express Café features British Sign Language (BSL) ordering and is designed to increase visibility and opportunity for Deaf and hard of hearing communities. It’s inclusive, creative, and community-led – exactly the kind of regeneration we’re delivering through our Opportunity Newham approach.
The café will also feature a resident-led community garden and sits just minutes from Stratford Station’s Gibbins Road entrance – another step forward in making our neighbourhoods more connected, inclusive and welcoming. This week I headed to Park Primary School in Stratford, where I was welcomed by pupils and staff, and saw first-hand the energy and creativity that defines their approach to education. With a school motto of Confidence, Creativity, Care and Aspiration, it’s no surprise Park Primary is so highly regarded. As a popular and high-performing school, it exemplifies what we want for every child in Newham: a nurturing, inclusive and inspiring environment where children can truly thrive.
That’s why I’m excited to share our Newham Summer Fun Guide, packed full of activities for children and young people across the borough. From sports and arts to local festivals and fun days, it’s designed to keep our young residents engaged, creative and active throughout the school holidays. You can view the full guide here and I encourage families to explore everything on offer. Ambition and shared learning continued as I headed to Liverpool for the Local Government Association (LGA) conference on Tuesday and Wednesday. It was a privilege to represent Newham and connect with Council leaders from across the country, sharing insights and ideas on how local government can innovate to meet today’s challenges; and meeting with Minister’s from national government. From housing and social care to climate action and digital inclusion, I was proud to speak about Newham’s pioneering work - and to learn from others doing equally bold and visionary work in their communities.
While at the conference, I received exciting news that Noele Gordon House, our 100% affordable Later Living scheme delivered by Populo Living, has been shortlisted for Best Retirement Scheme at the 2025 Housebuilder Awards. This is a well-deserved recognition of an innovative solution to the housing crisis - one that helps older residents age with dignity, while freeing up much-needed family homes. Since opening, Noele Gordon House has already helped release more than 50 bedrooms across 20 under-occupied council homes. It’s exactly the kind of smart, compassionate housing policy we need more of - and one we’re proud to be delivering right here in Newham.
That same day also brought news from our creative and cultural sector: The Royal Academy of Music is set to open a new campus at London City Island in 2026. This announcement is a powerful affirmation that culture is East! East London is a growing hub of cultural and educational excellence. We’re seeing more and more world-class institutions recognise the opportunity, energy and talent that exists in our borough. But as ever, our job is to ensure that all residents can benefit from this success - and that’s where Opportunity Newham and our model of inclusive growth play a vital role.
Before I sign off, I wanted to flag that our Newham Data Economy team have been very busy gearing up for London Data Week (LDW) next week, which I’ll be attending. We’ve organised a big event to showcase our data economy talent at the London Design and Engineering UTC over in the Royal Docks next Tuesday.
London Data Week marks the significance of data, digital and technology and how it can empower communities to drive real-world solutions to London’s biggest challenges - from the cost-of-living crisis to public health. As the London Council’s lead for all things Data and Innovation, the focus at London Data Week 2025 will be skills driving the data economy and growth for local people. From data literacy to ethical AI, we are at the forefront of enabling opportunities in this fast growing sector of the London – and UK – economy, meaning more jobs for our people.
Until next week, thank you as always: for all of your continued dedication to our borough.
Have a lovely weekend and stay hopeful and happy!
Best wishes, Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz | 
