A host of events encouraging people to be kind to one another is taking place during this year’s Peace Week.

The annual festival, which runs throughout Barking and Dagenham, kicked off on Monday and ends on Sunday.

Among the activities planned for the next few days are a choral performance by the Community Music Service outside Barking Town Hall today (Wednesday), a football match between young people from the Kickz project at Dagenham and Redbridge FC tomorrow (Thursday) and a big peace picnic held by the Faith Forum in Barking Abbey Green on Saturday.

Reede Road Tenants and Residents Association hold a picnic on Saturday in Pondfield Park, Dagenham, featuring food, crafts, a bouncy castle, cupcake decorating and singing from a local choir.

Single mums and widows can get pampered at Dagenham library on Friday and elderly and isolated residents will join a trip to Southend on Thursday.

For times and more information on Peace Week go to the council website and search Peace Week.