Last year marked a significant chapter for Community Links as we evolved and expanded. Chi Kavindele, our former Director, transitioned to a national role as Director of Local Development for Catch22. Elizabeth Booker stepped into the role of Director of Communities, carrying forward Community Links’ mission beyond Newham.
Over the past year, we touched more than 80,000 lives—helping residents reclaim over £2 million through our Finance, Benefit, and Debt advice services, fostering creativity through arts and cultural activities in Newham, and supporting young people at Links Media College to achieve essential qualifications.
With a new structure and strategy launched for 2024/25, we were excited to continue delivering exceptional services in East London and beyond.
Our Impact in 2023/2024
Health
Through our Community Connectors Programme we supported 925 service users. 300+ service users engaged in workshops and group-based activities, such as creative arts and peer-led walking workshops for domestic violence survivors. 78% reported significant improvements in life satisfaction after engagement.
48,450+ patients reached through our Bowel, Cervical and Breast Screening Projects. 86% of Bengali respondents said discussing cervical cancer is taboo in their culture.
Youth
Links Media College students created an anti-vaping media campaign in partnership with Newham Council and Change, Grow, Live, which was presented to the former MP for West Ham, Lyn Brown, in January ahead of the second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
The More than Mentors, peer mentoring programme, trained 50 peer mentors and supported 51 mentees since September 2023.
Community
245 graduates of the digital literacy course, Community Clicks, aimed at improving the digital skills and social inclusion of older citizens in Newham. 93% of participants reported feeling confident in using digital tools, compared to just 26% at the start.
Advice
Over 1,400 clients supported through free legal, debt, housing, and social welfare advice. The advice services helped optimize client income by £2.1 million, primarily through welfare benefits, housing support, and debt management.
Culture Within Newham
17,000 people engaged in the first year. 172 activities delivered, including film, crafts, dance, food, and gardening. Through our Newham-based collaborations and partnerships, 292 groups and organisations connected, 81 artists and creatives were involved, and we worked with 69 creative contractors and suppliers.
Read the full impact report for Community Links (September 2024 – June 2024) here