“Building a vibrant, inclusive community space in the heart of Dagenham.”
Heath Park Community Centre is more than just a building - it's the beating heart of our neighbourhood. Run by the Heath Park Consortium and shaped by residents like you, we're creating a welcoming space where everyone belongs.
Whether you're looking for activities for your family, want to hire a hall for your event, or simply want to connect with your neighbours, you've come to the right place.
Meet the Consortium
Karen West-Whylie - Barking Enterprise Centres CIC
CEO
As Chief Executive of the Barking Enterprise Centre for the last 10 years, Karen leads a mission-driven organisation dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, strengthening local business ecosystems and driving inclusive economic growth. With a strategic focus on innovation, partnership development, and community impact, she oversees programmes and initiatives that support start-ups, SMEs, and aspiring founders at every stage of their journey.
Her leadership centres on creating opportunities, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that enterprise support remains accessible, relevant, and responsive to the needs of our diverse community. She is committed to championing sustainable business development, nurturing talent, and building an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive.
Karen is committed to the Heath Park Consortium and is passionate in supporting a diverse range of community initiatives, ensuring residents have a welcoming environment to connect, learn, and thrive.Driven by a commitment to social impact, partnership building, and sustainable growth, she works to ensure that both organisations play a meaningful role in shaping a resilient and opportunity-rich future for the communities served.
Terry Miller - Independent Living Agency
Chief Officer
I don't have a defined role — I just roll up my sleeves and get stuck in! I'm always happy to help out, whether that's cleaning, cutting the grass, attending funding meetings, or making sure we have a centre that's fit for the whole community to use. I'm here to support Manny and Karen in any way I can.When I was asked to be part of a small consortium, I took a look around the Heath Park Centre. It had been unused for a long time and was in a real state of disrepair — left to fall apart. Out of ten groups who originally wanted to be part of the team, seven pulled out because of the condition of the building. But the idea of working with Karen and Manny was exciting, and the challenge of bringing the building back to life really motivated me.The local community makes it all worthwhile. Everything we do is built on trust — there are no formal written agreements between the groups, just a shared commitment to the community and to bringing life back into a building that was once left empty. Without Manny and Karen, the centre would never have reopened, and I'm proud to be part of that journey.My vision? It will take time — years, even — to turn it into a modern, fully equipped building. But month by month, we're improving the centre, making it a space the local community can use, enjoy, and truly take ownership of.Fun fact: I've lived or worked in Barking and Dagenham my whole life — but this is the first time I've done both at the same time! Manny - True Cadence CIC
Founder and CEO
I'm the Founder and CEO of True Cadence CIC, a local music organisation. We're working closely with the brilliant teams at Barking Enterprise Centre and Independent Living Agency to breathe new life into Heath Park Community Centre.I grew up in Barking and Dagenham, not far from the centre. When I was at Eastbrook School, I loved music and songwriting, but there just weren't many opportunities. It's tough to see that, all these years later, young people are still facing the same barriers. Heath Park needs support, and I wanted to help change that.What I love most is the people I get to work with. It's been a real challenge from the start, but doing it with consortium colleagues who genuinely care makes it feel possible. Everyone's pulling in the same direction, and that really matters.My vision? A welcoming space where something's always going on, no matter what's happening with funding. A place people see as a second home, where they know they'll be supported.Fun fact: I once performed at a sold-out show at IndigO2 in Greenwich. It was surreal, standing on that stage knowing I started out writing lyrics in my bedroom as a little 13-year-old with a speech impediment. Moments like that remind me why I believe so strongly in creating space for young people to dream big and express creatively.