In previous pieces, I’ve often discussed the importance of embracing change, as life constantly presents new challenges. Change can help us to grow and adapt, but stability also plays a vital role in ensuring long-term wellbeing. Stability is about maintaining a steady course, making sure that we have systems in place to prevent too many unexpected disruptions.
In my personal life, I’ve experienced the delicate balance between change and stability. When I first became a father, I tried to control every situation to protect my children. Over time, I realised that risk and uncertainty are part of growing up, and I shifted my focus to equipping my children with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges. Teaching them how to manage fear and make safe choices became my way of fostering stability in their lives.
The same principle applies to community work. When our goal is to provide stability, the first step is offering consistent, dependable support. Throughout my career, most of my roles have revolved around helping people solve problems. I learned early on that, the more complex the issue, the more important it was to stabilise the situation before finding a solution. Tackling problems one step at a time allowed me to prioritise and address the most immediate needs first. Stability often begins with focusing on what is most urgent in the moment.
This idea of prioritising stability resonates with the themes in People Like Us, written by Hashi Mohamed. Mohamed highlights how middle-income families often see childhood as a time to prepare for future success, while low-income families focus on helping their children navigate the daily challenges of disadvantage. This reality is especially relevant in communities like ours.
LifeLine Projects is based in Barking and Dagenham, a borough facing significant challenges. Our community has one of the highest rates of income deprivation and child poverty in London. With over 57,000 children under the age of 16 and 30.4% of residents under 18, Barking and Dagenham has a particularly young population, many of whom experience disadvantage from an early age. These statistics underscore the level of need in our community and highlight the importance of providing reliable, long-term support.
We’re dedicated to offering stability to individuals and families through a wide range of programmes. While we can’t solve all of the problems or eliminate deprivation entirely, we can provide steady, dependable support that families can rely on. Our initiatives are designed to be here for the long term, ensuring that parents, children, and young people have the resources they need to thrive.
What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.
One of our key initiatives, our Little Learners nurseries, creates a warm and engaging environment for young children to learn and grow. Every day is filled with fun activities tailored to different age groups, allowing children to explore, play, and develop in a way that builds confidence and curiosity.
For young people, our SW!TCH programmes provide consistent mentorship and guidance. Through weekly one-on-one mentoring, young people can build trusting relationships with mentors who help them gain self-confidence, set goals, and take control of their futures.
SW!TCH Ambassadors takes this a step further by encouraging young people with leadership potential to become community leaders themselves. This programme equips young people with the skills they need to create positive change in their own neighbourhoods.
Home is where children find safety and security, where we find our identities, where citizenship starts. It usually starts with believing you're part of a community, and that is essential to having a stable home.
Our work doesn’t stop with children and young people. LifeLine also supports parents and caregivers through our Champions Support Network. This programme connects families with peer mentors who offer guidance on the challenges they face. Through workshops and one-on-one support, parents have a safe space to explore solutions to a wide variety of issues.
For new mothers, we offer Infant Feeding Support, in partnership with Mind. This initiative connects mothers with trained peer supporters from the local community, providing guidance and encouragement during the breastfeeding journey. The programme helps mothers feel more confident and supported during the crucial early months of parenting.
Another important programme is the Early Help Collective, which brings together various local organisations to support families during difficult times. By working together, we can offer comprehensive help for those facing unplanned situations or challenges that feel overwhelming.
Lastly, our SW!TCH Communities initiative empowers local residents to take ownership of their neighbourhoods and introduce positive changes. By fostering a sense of community and collaboration, this programme helps create safer, more supportive environments for everyone.
There is nothing so stable as change.
Through these programmes and initiatives, we are committed to building a stable foundation for all members of our community. We may not be able to solve every problem, but we can offer steady, reliable support that families can depend on. In doing so, we help create a more secure and hopeful future for parents, children, and young people in Barking and Dagenham. Stability, in the end, is about making sure that no matter what challenges arise, we are here to help the community move forward together.
