The council has reached the final stage in two categories at the Municipal Journal awards on the 17 September. 

The awards will celebrate their achievements in “innovation to Children’s Services” and congratulate “a rising star” for his health and social care work. 

Their nomination for the Innovation in Children’s Services award came after their virtual reality (VR) innovative to reduce incidents of domestic violence within households already experiencing it.  

A VR immersive story was created to help the perpetrators understand the impact their behaviour had on the victim and children involved and increase their empathy responses. 

The story put perpetrators in the shoes of a young child witnessing someone commit domestic abuse and created a realistic environment to allow them to connect to the feelings and thoughts of the victims of domestic abuse. 

The Rising Star nomination is in honor of James Bachman, Head of Public Health and Wellbeing at Redbirdge council. He has become a finalist for this award due to transforming social care and public health and corralled his team to ensure best practice. 

Mr Bachman has gone above and beyond expectations, creating a mobile unit for COVID testing and getting personally involved in delivering food and other necessities to residents during the pandemic showing real dedication and commitment to Redbridge’s residents during an unprecedented crisis. 

Interim Chief Executive of Redbridge Council, Lesley Seary said:“I am so proud of all the extra hard work staff at Redbridge Council have put in during the trying times of the COVID pandemic, which presented very unique obstacles for us to overcome.  

“Staff and partners worked tirelessly to launch a new outreach service to support those who were actually victims of abuse or who were frightened of becoming a victim of abuse. Alongside this programme we worked on a ground-breaking virtual reality pilot scheme which used new technology to intervene and help families who were living through a cycle of domestic abuse. These were just some examples of the creativity our staff demonstrated during tough times which leaves me feeling inspired on a daily basis and it is right that it is recognised by our peers. 

“We also have some amazing individuals here. People like James Bachmann who went above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic. He really propelled the public health and wellbeing services in Redbridge by adapting them to provide the best help we could for those who needed extra help.” 

The Munipal Journal awards celebrate local government achievements and best in local public services. The winner of each category will be announced on 17 September.