A local success story rooted in Barking Riverside has just been named Business of the Year at the 2025 Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce Awards.
SENspired, a community-led nursery and education hub founded in Barking Riverside, took home the borough’s top business honour, alongside awards for Customer Service and Innovation through Digital Media. For the families who live in Barking Riverside, this recognition marks not just a win for a business, but for a growing, vibrant community built around educational excellence and inclusive early years support.
Founded by Shay Orr, SENspired began humbly, starting with three mums meeting for coffee at Grounded at The Wilds Eco Centre. Having moved into Barking Riverside soon after launch of phase 2 properties being released, Shay saw the opportunity and need for baby-friendly activities in the area and used her teaching experience to start baby and toddler classes. These classes grew in popularity and were the groundwork for SENspired’s Barking Riverside Explorers Preschool, located right here in Barking Riverside’s Garden Room at The Wilds, a permanent home made possible through partnership with Barking Riverside Limited.
“From the beginning, it’s been about creating something better for our children and by extension, for everyone’s children,” said Warren Orr. “We’ve built something with real purpose, and the local support has been overwhelming.”
A lasting impact on Barking Riverside
What sets SENspired apart is its preventative model for special educational needs (SEN). While the name may suggest it’s only for children with SEN, the aim is to prevent educational challenges before they arise by delivering highly focused, child-centred early education. The result? Children in Barking Riverside are making exceptional progress, often surprising their own parents.
With both SENspired classes and Explorers Preschool fully integrated into the local landscape, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. SENspired has received only 5-star reviews on Google, with parents praising not just the educational value but the warm, community-first approach of the entire team.
“The pace of development we see in our children is remarkable,” said one Barking Riverside parent. “SENspired has completely changed the way we think about early years education.”
Powered by community
From its beginnings in Shay’s living room, SENspired has grown into a six-person team, bringing in local talent and experienced professionals, some with decades in education, who are passionate about shaping the future of Barking Riverside’s youngest residents. Team members such as Magda, a talented local resident, and partnerships with local organisations like Let’s Get Active (LGA) have been central to SENspired’s growth.
“The journey has been full of challenges,” Shay said, “but community has always been at the heart of what we do.”
More than a preschool
SENspired’s space at The Wilds isn’t limited to education, it’s also used by the wider community. From parties and proposals to classes and even a voting station during the Romanian elections, the venue is a flexible and welcoming environment. With a 4.7-star rating on TagVenue, the focus on customer service extends well beyond education.
SENspired’s emphasis on education over childcare is what makes it distinct. This vision, born from what Shay and Warren wanted for their own children, continues to drive their approach and success.
A partnership with purpose
Barking Riverside Limited recognised SENspired’s potential early on, supporting their move into a more permanent location and partnering with community events, thereby supporting parent engagement, and building a thriving early years hub that reflects the inclusive, family-focused spirit of Barking Riverside.
As the community grows, SENspired’s impact grows with it, helping to ensure that Barking Riverside is not only a place to live, but a place where children are truly set up to succeed.
By Magda Furmanowska
