East Ham, Manor Park and Little Ilford

Located on the North and East of the Borough, Little Ilford, Manor Park and East Ham are often ignored when talking about regeneration in Newham. In this part of the Borough regeneration has less been about economic development and instead has concentrated more on social and community issues.

This focus is due to the fact the area is primarily residential, and has been for many years. Where as West Ham saw heavy industry and slum housing move to the area during the 19th Century, East Ham and Manor Park saw more suburban housing, with professionals and clerks living there who worked in London.

In recent years Little Ilford, Manor Park and East Ham have all suffered from the social problems that affect all inner-city Boroughs, including high crime rates, heightened fear of crime, health and education problems, and poor local services.

These problems are being tackled by a variety of innovative projects and programmes. The key to improving these areas is to draw on its greatest resource, the people who live there. The last ten years have seen various projects and programmes of regeneration in the area, most of which have engaged local people.

Respect

Respect is a campaign created to improve the quality of people's lives by tackling crime and disorder. Started in Forest Gate in 2000, the scheme was such a success that it was soon expanded to cover other areas.

East Ham Leisure Centre

Opened in September 2001, the East Ham Leisure Centre is considered to be one of the best in London. Built with £15 million from the National Lottery, facilities include a 25 metre pool, sauna and spa, exercise studio and cafe.