A team in Barking and Dagenham have created a "fantastic" map to help people struggling with money, heating, housing and other problems. 

The map, a partnership between charity Turn2us and Kingsley Hall Church and Community Centre, shows places in the north central area of Barking and Dagenham where support and advice is available.

Turn2us is a national poverty charity offering support to those facing financial insecurity, providing them with practical information and helping them cope with issues such as job loss and illness.

The map will pinpoint places in the area where people facing cold and hardship due to high energy prices can go, including community hubs and warm spaces.

Kemisha Oyemola, a resident involved in the creation of the map, said: “I’m a single parent myself. I’ve been in situations when you don’t know where to go when you’re struggling.

“Our borough is one of the poorest boroughs in London. A lot of people are struggling, and they can find it very hard to ask for help, and then they don’t know where to go for help in a time of crisis.

“This is something people can have in their pocket, so they know what to do.”  

The hubs will offer help with employment, housing and debt, with immediate help on offer at safe havens for those feeling harassed, intimidated or unwell.

A total of 10,000 maps have been printed and will be available to locals in civic spaces across the borough. The map can also be accessed and shared online here.

Translations are underway to make it accessible for residents who speak Bengali and Romanian, two of the most common languages spoken in the borough.

Cllr Saima Ashraf, deputy leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “The community map is a fantastic resource, created by and informed by the needs of local residents.

"This initiative demonstrates that by pooling resources and working in partnership together, our community can support people in a number of ways.

"Significantly it is great to see how it is people’s own experiences which are being placed at the centre of the support available, helping to ensure the help they get isn’t just a ‘one size fits all’ approach.” 

In addition to its partnership in the money saving map, Turn2us is running a 10-year initiative in Barking and Dagenham that addresses the root causes of financial insecurity.

They will support local businesses and work with affected residents to introduce lasting change.