Redbridge Equalities and Community Council has been awarded a National Lottery Community Grant of more than £350k over 5 years for a project to bring communities together in North and South Ilford.

Councillor Mark Santos, representing Hainault ward, said: “I am delighted that RECC has been awarded this funding by the National Lottery Community Fund to bring communities together. The diversity of our communities in Hainault and more widely in Redbridge is our strength. This project seeks to celebrate that diversity and build on it. I very much look forward to seeing how it develops and playing a part in the work.”

Bushra Tahir, Chair of Awaaz, Voice of Women, said: “I am delighted to hear the excellent news about RECC receiving this funding for the next 5 years. Redbridge has a diverse community and this will be a great help to bring the communities together and  build community cohesion and also help reduce hate crime in the borough. ”

RECC Chair, John Ward, said: “We’re really grateful to the Lottery for funding this important project which will be setting up community bridge building forums with various programmes to support and bring communities together. We are also grateful to Redbridge Council for Voluntary Services for facilitating our conversations with the National Lottery Community Fund through their 1-2-1 information advice sessions. We’re currently recruiting the staff who are going to make this happen, and will welcome applications from local people with the right skills and experience.”