Every One Every Day in Barking
and Dagenham
Every One Every Day was a research and demonstration project which, between 2017 and 2023, built the world’s first full-scale practical participation system in Barking and Dagenham in East London.
Over six and a half years, with the support of an extraordinary group of trustees, funders and partners Every One Every Day raised over £9 million and worked with nearly 10,000 local residents, creating over 300 new projects, learning programmes and collaborative businesses in the process.
The accompanying research series documented the development of the project and summarised the learning gathered through the evaluation of the approach.
Project Timeline
2017
Every One Every Day launches in Barking and Dagenham.
Ripple Road and Church Elm Lane neighbourhood shops opened
First 11 team members recruited.
Launch festival takes place in November 2017
2018
Capital grant secured to build Everyone’s Warehouse and premises identified at 47 Thames Road.
Third neighbourhood shop opens at Martin’s Corner.
First business programme runs from pop-up maker space on Gale Street
Team grows to 20.
First full year of programming completed.
Made to Measure published.
2019
We Make Our City Festival takes place to officially launch Everyone’s Warehouse.
Collaborative Business Programme launched with multiple resident-led test trading brands.
Launch Lab programme takes place with young care leavers.
Team grows to 30
2020
Mark’s Gate neighbourhood shop opens on Rose Lane.
Tools to Act published.
Covid forces closure of most forms of in-person participation.
Warehouse becomes co-ordination and distribution centre for the local covid relief effort
Tomorrow Today Streets launched alongside online platform.
2021
Platform reopens following Covid-19 Pandemic.
Two new premises opened at the Heathway.
Grounded co-operative cafe opens at the Wilds.
Organisational membership launched to support local groups to benefit from the platform.
2022
First full year of programming since the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Learning programmes developed including Maker in Residency and Maker in Training.
2023
Final full year of activities.
Largest ever programme delivered over 10 weeks from May to July.
Legacy plan implemented including rehoming machines and equipment.
Fabric Lab develops out of Unit 19 at the Heathway.
Room to Grow programme delivered to over 100 local organisations and groups.
Places to Practise published.
Every One Every Day closes in December 2023.
2024
Final completion activities including rehousing remaining assets and creating legacy materials.
Participatory City Foundation closed in June 2024.
A borough-wide network of functional spaces
Every One Every Day in Barking and Dagenham included a network of neighbourhood spaces which operated as incubators for the ideas, collaborations and projects of local residents.
Each shop had a different character and enabled different activities through the functionality made available inside.
Assets & equipment within the neighbourhood shops
Ripple Road Shop
August 2017- June 2023
Porters Avenue Shop
November 2018 - March 2021
Rose Lane Shop
February 2020 - June 2023
Church Elm Lane Shop
August 2017 - April 2022
Thames Shop
March 2019 - June 2023
Heathway Shop
August 2021 - October 2023
Design principles
Projects developed by the Every One Every Day project were infused with some key principles, centred on ensuring that the ecosystem of opportunities was inclusive, accessible and diverse.
Everyone’s Warehouse
Alongside the shops, Every One Every Day in Barking and Dagenham involved the creation of a large, free-to-access maker space.
This multi-functional space was a focus for learning and business programmes and provided residents with the opportunity to scale up their ideas, develop skills and build collaborations in a highly flexible and informal learning environment.
