March 2010
Five new Social Enterprises to be launched
Seven potential new Social Enterpreneurs came face to face with the Bromley by Bow Centre Dragon's Den selection panel on Thursday 25th March. The panel was made up of members from Investec, Poplar HARCA, East London Small Business Centre and a locally established Social Enterprise - Fluid IT.
bromley by bow Water music festival
A Water City collaboration between the Grand Union Orchestra and the Bromley by Bow has resulted in a wonderful series of workshops and concerts.
February 2010
East London Bond
The East London Bond has opened for investment, with a cast of prominent supporters and over £1.3 million already pledged. We are inviting our supporters to buy a secure five-year bond, administered by Citylife, and to receive the money back in full in five years time. In the meantime, your money will be put to good use, funding Bromley by Bow Centre and Community Links to create a long-term legacy in East London and create change for generations to come.
The Bangladesh Project
The Bangladesh Project moved into its next phase in January, when a team from Bromley by Bow enabled a Health Camp to be run in Juri, rural Bangladesh. Dr Julia, Senior Practise Nurse Yvonne (with her daughter Ellie) and Jubeda from the Health Trainers joined Lilu Ahmed and Rev. Helen to attend the event.
Our Brighton Marathon runners step up the tempo
Seven of our brave Brighton Marathon runners came visited the Centre last week and see the difference their fundraising will make. During their visit the runners visited some of the Centre's projects and spoke with project managers about the impact these project have on our community. In Community Care the runners were shown some of their creative projects including a stylishly decorated dolls house and during their visit to the PoLLeN barn they heard about horticulture therapy from the project's members.
The Employment Service on Facebook!
The Employability Service at Bromley by Bow Centre is entering the world of social networking with our very own Facebook page.
December 2009
East London Bond now open for investment
The East London Bond has opened for investment, with a cast of prominent supporters and over £1 million already pledged.
Festive fun in Bromley by Bow
Sleigh bells have been ringing loud and clear in Bromley by Bow this festive season. Last week the Centre's Working Wonders Programme, Teenage Parents Project and Undercover Gardeners ended the year with their very own Christmas parties.
Benchmarking the Bromley by Bow Centre
Since earlier this year, the Bromley by Bow Centre has been developing an innovative project to evaluate its model of delivering services in the deprived area of Bromley by Bow. Benchmarking will be a key part of this work, to put our outcomes in context both of peer organisations and alternative ways of meeting people’s needs.
Beyond the Barn Social Enterprise - Best in the UK!
Bikeworks CIC, a social enterprise set up under the Beyond the Barn Programme, was called to Number 10 Downing Street last month and presented with the award of 'Best New Social Enterprise in England'. They went on to the all UK finals in December and were awarded 'Best New Social Enterprise in the UK'! This is wonderful news for Bikeworks and the Beyond the Barn team here at the BBBC.
Undercover Gardeners... On Ice
The Undercover Gardeners' group of children aged 8-13 enjoyed their Christmas outing to the Natural History Museum, taking time to go ice skating on the way.
Community Led Projects
Tower Hamlets Healthy Borough Programme is piloting new environmental approaches to make it easier for children and families to be more physically active and eat more healthily wherever they live, work, travel, play or learn.The programme has launched the 'Can Do Community Grant's of up to £500 for individuals and small groups. If you have an idea which fits into one of the three key cross-cutting strands, please apply: (There are 2 more deadline dates)
November 2009
STOP PRESS! One much coveted Virgin London Marathon place up for grabs!
Have you always dreamed of running the London Marathon? Well now’s your chance! The Bromley by Bow Centre has secured a place on this world-famous race and is looking for a top-class fundraiser to represent the Centre whilst taking on the ultimate challenge.
East London Bond - make a donation and get all your money back!
Launched this week at No.11 Downing Street, the East London Bond is an innovative campaign to spark renewal in East London. By investing in the Bond, you can help to transform some of the most deprived communities in England.
Planet Asthma Art and Activity Book gets a thumbs up
The Bromley by Bow Centre's art and health team have been working in partnership with Asthma UK to produce a book - Planet Asthma Art and Activity - which offers guidance and raises awareness on the condition in a fun, creative way. On Thursday 15th October key health, community and education professionals in Tower Hamlets descended on the Centre to celebrate the Planet Asthma book and work towards disseminating its messages and workshop methods borough-wide.
arteast unveils exciting new website
The Bromley by Bow Centre’s creative arts enterprise arteast has unveiled its new website this week – www.arteast-works.com. To support arteast’s development as a social enterprise, the website is the new shop window for the products that the group create and sell. arteast members design, create and sell merchandising products including T-Shirts, bags, banners and shop displays. This year’s Christmas range includes hand-made wooden reindeer to buy or rent for display.
Make Your Mark on the Lea River Park
Throughout the year there have been many exciting events taking place at the Centre and the surrounding areas to develop ideas for the new Lea River Park. This exciting new green space, funded and managed by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, will run from the Thames in the south to Hertfordshire in the north. Those who are interested in helping to shape ideas and designs for the park can still have there say online.
September 2009
Signs of Life announce their "Our Space" exhibition
Signs of Life, the Centre’s young peoples’ public art enterprise are excitedly planning an exhibition of their work which is due to be showcased at the Centre on Friday 23rd October. Generous funding from the Tesco Charity Trust has given young artists the opportunity to develop their own art and share their perspective on life in East London.
“Streets and Strings” comes to the Bromley by Bow Centre
The Centre is delighted to be hosting the Water City Arts Festival this autumn. The festival titled “Streets and Strings” is taking place on Thursday 15th October and will involve a diverse and exciting visual and musical arts programme.
Go the extra (26) miles for the Bromley by Bow Centre!
The Bromley by Bow Centre is very excited indeed to have secured a number of much coveted places on the first-ever Brighton Marathon on 18th April 2010. Apply now to run an unrivalled course that takes in glorious coastal views and iconic Brighton attractions, including the world-famous Royal Pavilion and Brighton Pier. By running for the Bromley by Bow Centre you will be not only taking on the ultimate personal challenge but you be will be fundraising to transform the lives of families in East London.
Five new social enterprises to be launched
Eight potential new social entrepreneurs came face to face with the Bromley by Bow Centre’s Dragons’ Den selection panel on Thursday 30th July. The panel was made up of members from Investec, Poplar HARCA and a local established social enterprise Bikeworks. We are delighted to announce that five new social enterprises were selected by the Dragon’s Den panel. These diverse and innovative enterprises including a recording studio and a tailoring service are due to be launched later this month.
August 2009
Our Story: History
A number of community groups including young people, elders and teenage parents have taken part in a Heritage Lottery funded project exploring the rich and varied history of their local area of Bromley by Bow. This summer they came together to launch their commemorative book “Our Story: History”.
July 2009
Social Inclusion Access Day
The Centre’s Working Wonders team are getting set to put on a fun packed agenda for their Social Inclusion Access Day being held at the Centre on Tuesday 11th August. Working Wonders is the Bromley by Bow Centre’s umbrella programme which enables vulnerable adults with learning difficulties, physical or mental health problems and isolated elders to participate in creative arts, horticultural therapy and healthy lifestyles activities. The Social Inclusion Access Day will run from 10.30am – 3.30pm and is an opportunity for people from across the Borough to come and take part in a number of taster sessions and learn more about our services. A delicious free lunch will be provided and you are invited to join us for free pottery, dance, DJ and mosaic workshops.
Well done to the Bromley by Bow Centre runners!
We are pleased to report that the Asics 10K London Run was a great sucess. All of our runners completed the course and there were some very impressive finishing times.We would like to thank all our runners for their hard work and determination. So far their fundraised total stands at over £2,000 which will make an incredible difference to our work.
June 2009
25 years of social enterprise
The Bromley by Bow Centre is celebrating its Silver Anniversary this year, marking the 25th anniversary of Andrew Mawson's arrival at Bromley by Bow which would lead to development of the Centre as we know it today.This video shows Andrew talking about the building of the Healthy Living Centre in Bromley by Bow, and how this has influenced other social entrepreneurs to develop new services in their own communities.
Green Dreams create an oasis at Island House
On 30th June, the Green Dreams team will launch their new garden at the Island House community centre on the Isle of Dogs. Under the direction of landscape designer Julia Hilton, the creative team have completely transformed this previously under-used community space. You are welcome to come and join the celebrations 12pm – 2pm.
HeartArt: Creating a culture of health for people with diabetes
The Royal College of Nursing has recently published a report on HeartArt, a series of art-based education workshops for people with diabetes at the Bromley by Bow Health Centre, led by Senior Practice Nurse Yvonne Coughlan.The report highlights the work done at the Bromley by Bow Centre to help improve health and raise awareness of diabetes, a major health problem in our community.
Jazz on a summer's evening
Come and experience an 8-piece band playing classic Sinatra jazz in the beautiful surroundings of Bromley by Bow Church. Thursday 25th June, 7:30pm
May 2009
MAKE/shift project
Artist Nina Honiball spent the first few months of 2009 working with the community in Bromley by Bow, in a project that aimed to encourage and enable people to work together to make a visible difference in their environment.Makeshift is the result of this project - connecting ideas about public art and interventions, participation and community building, and narrative theory. By providing a new way for local people to meet, interact, and think about their environment, Makeshift offers a novel approach to involving the community in decisions that will affect their neighbourhood.
Songs of Praise
If you missed Songs of Praise, featuring the Bromley by Bow Centre, you can still watch it on BBC iPlayer until Sunday 24th May.
Do you have an idea for a new Social Enterprise?
Beyond the Barn and the Tower Hamlets Partnership is offering start up funding for new or emerging Social Enterprises across Tower Hamlets.
If you live in Tower Hamlets and want to run a Social Enterprise in the borough, then this support is designed for you. You could get a start-up grant of up to £20,000 to help your venture succeed.
Closing date for Submission of Expressions of Interest - 8th June 2009.
Concert in the Church - Friday 15th May
Featuring renowned violinist Michael Bochmann and Akash Sottar, with students from the Trinity School of Music.
Part of the May Arts Fair at the Bromley by Bow Centre - book your tickets now!
Seizing the Opportunity
East London is changing. The 2012 Olympics are just one of several projects that will transform the landscape over the coming years.
The Bromley by Bow Centre is determined to seize the opportunity presented by these developments, and improve Bromley by Bow as a place to live and work. We have recently published two important documents which detail how we have been performing and our plans for the future.
April 2009
"Don't Judge Me"
A group of teenage parents and mothers-to-be from across Tower Hamlets are launching an exhibition of their own fashion and photography at Rich Mix, East London.
Challenging the labels that society gives teenage parents, these young women have produced a showcase that explores the concept of “identity”. The exhibition has required months of hard work and creativity…
We're recruiting a Statutory Fundraising Manager
The Bromley by Bow Centre is recruiting for a Statutory Fundraising Manager. This is an exciting new role, helping to deliver a key element of the Centre's overall income strategy.
March 2009
Bromley by Bow Centre Silver Anniversary Dinner
Over 100 supporters gathered for a special evening at the Vintners' Hall on Tuesday evening to celebrate the Bromley by Bow Centre's Silver Anniversary.
Volunteers from Bank of America help us prepare for Spring…
An eager team of volunteers from Bank of America joined us on Friday for a day of hard physical labour in our community garden.
The team, together with colleagues from Merrill Lynch, helped clear disused areas of the garden to increase the growing area, built new raised allotment beds, planted bulbs and trans-located plants in preparation for Spring.
KickstART
Signs of Life, a social enterprise at the Bromley by Bow Centre, has launched KickstART - a new art group for 8-12 year olds.
February 2009
Improving cancer treatment through learning
The Bromley by Bow Centre has launched two more health information packs for people who are learning English. Funded by Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trusts, these resources will help to promote cancer prevention in Tower Hamlets and beyond.
The new packs are titled "Cervical Screening" and "Getting the right treatment". They are designed to be used by ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) tutors, to help their students understand the importance of recognising symptoms and seeking early treatment.
Waitrose Community Matters
The Bromley by Bow Centre are delighted to have been chosen to feature in the Waitrose Community Matters initiative this month.
The Bromley by Bow Centre and two other local organisations are set to get a share of a generous £1,000 donation from the Canary Wharf Waitrose... and if you shop at this store, you can help decide where the money goes.
Prime Minister visits Bromley by Bow Centre
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and Minister for the Cabinet Offce, Liam Byrne, visited the Bromley by Bow Centre this morning. They were shown around the Healthy Living Centre, Social Enterprise Hub, and other projects to see how the Centre is working to support the local community during the current economic downturn.
Bangladesh Project
In January last year, a group from the Bromley by Bow Centre travelled to Bangladesh. This trip built on the existing strong ties between two communities, and helped to formulate plans for a major new project - but one with a huge difference.
Over the next three years, our aim is to build a Healthy Living Centre in Bangladesh.
Pictures of the Bromley by Bow Centre in snow on Monday 2 February
G4S come onboard
The Bromley by Bow Centre is delighted to welcome Chris Elliott from G4S as a Trustee. Chris has been a keen supporter of the Centre for many years and brings a broad range of senior level experience in financial management, business development and growth.
January 2009
A Dragons' Den at Bromley by Bow
A group of eight potential new social entrepreneurs came together at the Bromley by Bow Centre on Thursday 15th January to face a Dragons’ Den selection Panel. The panel was made up of members from Investec, East London Small Business Centre, Poplar HARCA, and a local established social enterprise Fluid IT.
The hopeful candidates - all from Tower Hamlets - were pitching their ideas to Beyond The Barn - a programme run by the Bromley by Bow Centre. Beyond the Barn incubates new social enterprises and provides hands on practical support to ensure their success in the early years of trading. Its key aim is to generate wealth and jobs at a very local level by identifying and helping local social entrepreneurs.
Award for straight-talking boss
Straight Talking, a charity that provides peer to peer information and education about teenage pregnancy, was honoured just before Christmas with a Guardian Charity Award.
Straight Talking is run by Hilary Pannack, a graduate of Degrees of Success, our unique BA in social enterprise.
A Family Fortune for Bromley by Bow
ITV's All Star Family Fortunes, hosted by Vernon Kay, pits families of famous people against each other to try and win money for charity. And it was Bromley by Bow's chance to benefit last Saturday, when former MP Edwina Currie and family chose the Centre as one of three charities to receive a share of the family's winnings!
December 2008
The Bromley by Bow Centre gets a festive surprise visit…
Santa himself is clearly one of the Bromley by Bow Centre’s biggest fans. Despite this being his busiest time of year he found time to jump on his sleigh and visit us twice last week.
Puppet Theatre comes to the Centre
With the holiday season fast approaching, the community care space at the Bromley by Bow Centre got a makeover on Wednesday afternoon, as some children from Bow Childcare came to enjoy Puppet Theatre.
Degrees of Success graduation ceremony
Graduates from Degrees of Success, the Bromley by Bow Centre's BA in Social Enterprise, celebrated last week at their graduation ceremony. And they were joined by Lord Mawson of Bromley by Bow, who was awarded an honorary doctorate.
November 2008
Thank you to Anne Matthews
Colleagues past and present, and people who have been involved with the Centre over the years, gathered this week to thank Anne Matthews for all her support and mark her retirement from Poplar HARCA after many years' service.
Helping people who are learning English speak to their doctor
The Bromley by Bow Centre and Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust have launched new health information packs for use in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes.
The packs are available FREE OF CHARGE to any ESOL tutor who wants to help students take control of their own health.
October 2008
Local woman wins £7,000 social enterprise start-up prize
Tower Hamlets entrepreneur Dinar Ali has won £7,000 to help her organisation, QSA, start-up a new business in East London. The award, which was donated by the Apax Foundation, the philanthropic arm of private equity firm Apax Partners, recognises promising new ideas for social enterprises. The contest was open to students, like Dinar, on the Bromley by Bow Centre / University of East London BA Hons in Social Enterprise.
How we are tackling child poverty in Bromley by Bow
The Campaign to End Child Poverty has published a report mapping the level of child poverty across the UK. It estimated that more than three quarters of children living near to the Bromley by Bow Centre live in low income families - not a direct measurement of child poverty, but a good indication. This is exactly the reason we place so much emphasis on helping families in this community.
Secretary of State for Health visits Bromley by Bow Centre
The Secretary of State for Health, the Right Honourable Alan Johnson MP, visited the Bromley by Bow Centre on Thursday 2 October.
We're recruiting for a Fundraising Assistant
The Bromley by Bow Centre is recruiting for a Fundraising Assistant to join our busy Development Team. This is an exciting new role, helping the Development Team to fundraise from companies, trusts and individuals, helping to manage events, and contribute to the team's strategy.
Facing East @ Three Mills 10-31 October
The Facing East project goes on display at Three Mills on Friday 10 October. A portrait of the community living in Bromley by Bow, Facing East is recording people's stories, creating a temporary collection of their treasured possessions, and celebrating the heritage and diversity of this unique community.
September 2008
Enrolment update!
The new academic year has started, and we are still very busy enrolling learners onto courses. As always, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses are proving very popular, but there is strong demand across the programme.
Memorial Service for Royston Fox
Bromley by Bow Church in Community is hosting a brief memorial service for Roy Fox on Friday 26 September. People of any faith are welcome to attend.
Art workshops autumn schedule - updated!
Are you keen to develop your creative side this autumn? The Bromley by Bow Centre will be running monthly Stained Glass, Stone Carving and Mosaic workshops, plus Pottery Studio Classes, run by our resident artists. Beginners and people with experience welcome.
Devon - a Sound Mind
The Bromley by Bow Centre is proud to host a new photo exhibition from Monday 8 - Thursday 25 September: Devon - A Sound Mind, by Kris Allan.
The images form a documentary covering five years in the life of a man who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
August 2008
Lehman Brothers volunteers help transform school playground
On Friday 25 July, a huge volunteering team from Lehman Brothers joined Green Dreams for the day to help build a new garden and improve the grounds at Britannia Village school in Royal Docks.
Signs of Life in Nicaragua
5 young people from Signs Of Life headed off to Nicaragua at 6.30am on Sunday morning after a project called Expanding Horizons was generously funded by Barclays Bank and matched by Bank Of America funds.
July 2008
New mural by Signs of Life
Working with volunteers from Morgan Stanley and pupils from George Green school, Signs of Life created a vibrant new mural in Island Gardens recently, helping to bring some colour and fun to the community.
Roy Fox 1936-2008
We are all saddened by the news that Roy Fox passed away last Wednesday after a long illness. He was 72.
Roy played an important role in the development of the Bromley by Bow Centre, and will be greatly missed.
New job opportunities at the Bromley by Bow Centre
Would you like to work at the Bromley by Bow Centre? We currently have four vacancies, and the closing date for all three is 25/08/08. Please read on for more details...
Bromley by Bow is the latest hot holiday destination
Summer holidays normally conjure up thoughts of lying on the beach. Graham McKee, though, has got other plans - he's booked a week off work in August in order to volunteer with Green Dreams, a social enterprise at the Bromley by Bow Centre.
New website is go!
Welcome to the new Bromley by Bow Centre website.
Our aim is to give visitors to the site much more comprehensive information about what we do, the services we offer, and the people we work with.
We will publish regular news stories to keep people updated with the latest developments.
And we now have a events calendar, to make it easier for people to find out what's going on and get involved.
June 2008
Centre chief wins Business in the Community Award
Rob Trimble, Chief Executive of the Bromley by Bow Centre, won the Marks & Spencer Sieff Award at the Business in the Community Awards for Excellence 2008.
Lord Mawson makes the case for "legacy"
Lord Mawson invited the BBC to the Centre to explain why work needs to start now on an Olympics legacy for East London.
May 2008
Healthy Living and Learning Open Day
Open Day at the Bromley by Bow Centre
London Better Together Day
On Friday 16th May 66 people from four organisations will be taking part locally in a nationwide volunteering effort that will mobilise over 2,500 volunteers from more than 80 companies in 24 cities in one day.
One Blood
An “Art Force” event at Rich Mix
April 2008
King Kong Community Window at Canary Wharf
KING KONG - an art installation by Arteast.
Exhibited 1st April to 3rd June 2008 in Canary Wharf and from 3rd June at the Bromley by Bow Centre.
February 2008
Book Launch of "The Social Entrepreneur"
Community leaders, politicians, business people and local people past and present attended the launch of "The Social Entrepreneur: Making Communities Work" by Lord Andrew Mawson
January 2008
Community Arts Programme launch
Paul Nicholas, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and Ed Vaizey MP are delighted to invite you to the launch of the Paul Nicholas School of Acting Community Arts Programme.
Tuesday 29th January 2008 at the Bromley by Bow Centre
December 1999
Benchmarking findings now available
Following the work the Bromley by Bow Centre has been doing with help from two fantastic volunteers, we are delighted to be able to publish our preliminary benchmarking findings.
