Investing in communities
Supporting local projects, charities and community groups near the Lower Thames Crossing
From improving green spaces and protecting local heritage, to helping people learn new skills and connect with each other, we’ve invested over £12 million to help local communities thrive.
What's happening now
Our next funding round opens in early 2027.
The Community Fund will continue throughout construction, with further funding rounds planned in the years ahead.
Community groups can apply for grants of up to £10,000 to support projects that improve wellbeing, develop skills, bring communities together and enhance local green spaces.
Register for email updates to be among the first to hear when applications open.
Community Fund 2026
- Forty-six community projects supported
- Delivered by local charities, community groups and voluntary organisations
- Supporting people, places and green spaces
Spotlight on funded projects
Supporting young people and families
ATF Southend
Delivering mentoring and targeted support for young people at risk of criminal and challenging behaviour across Thurrock secondary schools.
We Are Beams
Providing advice clinics for families with young disabled children in Gravesham, helping them access support with education, wellbeing and everyday challenges.
Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust
Delivering CPR training in schools across Thurrock and Brentwood, helping young people develop potentially life-saving skills.
Improving wellbeing
Trust Links
Creating a community garden and delivering nature-based workshops in South Ockendon, helping residents improve wellbeing, learn new skills and connect with others.
The Octopus Foundation
Running the Cre8 Shed Project in Medway, supporting younger and neurodiverse men who may be experiencing isolation, poor mental health or loneliness.
Lighthouse Counselling Trust and Elliot Holmes Memorial Trust
Expanding access to counselling and therapy services for young people and families across Gravesham.
Bringing communities together
Blueprint Arts Foundation
Bringing residents from communities across Gravesham together through creative activities that celebrate local stories, strengthen community connections and develop new skills.
Cliffe Woods Community Association
Delivering its annual village fete, creating opportunities for residents to come together and reducing social isolation.
Horndon Feast and Fayre
Continuing a long-standing community tradition that brings local people together through a shared community event.
Supporting greener communities
Trust Links and Essex Wildlife Trust
Helping residents connect with nature through community gardening, workshops, improved access and enhancements to local green spaces.
Full list of funded projects in 2026
Projects are being delivered across Kent, Medway, Thurrock, Havering and Brentwood.
North of the River Thames
|
Organisation |
Project |
About the project |
Funding awarded |
|
1st Corringham Scout Group |
Outdoor space improvements |
Improving outdoor facilities to create a safer and more accessible space for young people. |
£5,000 |
|
1st Ockendon Scout Group |
Headquarters refurbishment |
Improving facilities and creating better spaces for young people and community activities. |
£4,000 |
|
ATF Southend |
Targeted intervention programme |
Supporting young people at risk of criminal and challenging behaviour through mentoring and positive activities. |
£10,000 |
|
Blind and Sight Impaired Society |
Support resources |
Providing resources and practical support for visually impaired residents. |
£6,000 |
|
CDOT Voices |
Community choir |
Tackling loneliness and social isolation through music and community participation. |
£3,721 |
|
CoDa Dance Company |
Creative activities programme |
Providing inclusive creative opportunities for people living with neurodisability. |
£10,000 |
|
Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust |
CPR training programme |
Delivering CPR training in schools and helping young people build life-saving skills. |
£5,000 |
|
Essex Boys and Girls Clubs |
Inclusive arts programme |
Helping young people explore interests, build skills and improve wellbeing through creative activity. |
£5,000 |
|
Essex Wildlife Trust |
Nature reserve improvements |
Improving access and enhancing local green spaces through repairs and volunteer activity. |
£3,841 |
|
Feminine Health and Fibroid Support Network |
Women's health support |
Expanding support and advice for women experiencing reproductive and chronic health conditions. |
£8,500 |
|
Friends of Hardie Park Ltd |
Community space refurbishment |
Improving a community space used by local groups and residents. |
£6,000 |
|
Hamelin Trust |
Family support sessions |
Supporting autistic and neurodivergent young people and their families. |
£7,500 |
|
Horndon Feast and Fayre |
Annual village fayre |
Bringing residents together through a long-standing local community event. |
£4,000 |
|
Katie's Heart Appeal |
Community defibrillator equipment |
Replacing essential equipment helping maintain access to life-saving devices. |
£2,500 |
|
Kinetika People |
Community walks programme |
Supporting community wellbeing and connection through local walks and creative activities. |
£6,000 |
|
One Community Development Trust |
Digital and employability support |
Helping residents build confidence, digital skills and access employment opportunities. |
£5,000 |
|
Re-Engage |
Social groups for older people |
Reducing loneliness and helping older residents stay connected. |
£8,000 |
|
Special Needs and Parents Limited |
Pre-school clubs |
Bring children with additional needs and disabilities and their parents together to gain support. |
£7,500 |
|
The Aveley Men's Shed |
Purchasing tools and equipment |
Expansion of woodworking that can be taught and offered to the local community, combating isolation and loneliness. |
£5,000 |
|
The For Baby's Sake Trust |
Early intervention for parents affected by domestic abuse |
A therapeutic 1:1 support programme in the Blackshots and Rectory areas of Thurrock to improve family wellbeing. |
£5,000 |
|
Thurrock Christian Fellowship |
Foodbank and community café |
Supporting residents in need through 10 distribution centres, a community space and signposting to partner services. |
£4,000 |
|
Trust Links Ltd |
Nature-based community workshops |
Improving wellbeing and community connections through nature-based activities. |
£10,000 |
|
Unity Youth Development CIC |
Physical activities and mentoring for young people |
Sport, fitness and personal development programme with local partner sports clubs, for people 5-18 across Thurrock. |
£5,000 |
|
Harold Wood Foundation |
Community hub for Harold Wood |
Reopening the old library as a community space to bring the community together and improve mental wellbeing. |
£5,000 |
|
Havering Women's Aid |
Recovery and wellbeing courses |
Courses in Havering for women who have experienced domestic abuse, to rebuild self-worth and help parenting capability. |
£5,000 |
|
Home-Start Havering & Redbridge |
Support service |
Tailored work to improve wellbeing of young families struggling with issues such as isolation, disability, and bereavement. |
£5,312 |
|
Lambourne End Ltd |
Outdoor wellbeing programme |
12 weeks of outdoor experiences for care-experienced young people from a school in Havering. |
£7,000 |
|
Spring Community Hub |
Holiday activity camps |
Three camps in school holidays for Havering children from low-income families, improving mental wellbeing. |
£5,000 |
|
Frontline Partnership |
Social inclusion service |
A package of social activities and community projects for people with learning disabilities, building confidence. |
£5,000 |
|
Home-Start Essex |
Physical fitness programme |
Bringing vulnerable families together for family-based fitness activities, generating health and social benefits. |
£6,173 |
|
Kool Carers South East Limited |
Expanded counselling and support service |
Advice and advocacy for young carers in Brentwood, helping balance caring roles with successful school and personal lives. |
£7,035 |
South of the River Thames
|
Organisation |
Project |
About the project |
Funding awarded |
|
21 Together |
Medway Community Support Programme |
Providing practical support and activities that help young people with Down’s Syndrome improve wellbeing, build confidence and access local support networks. |
£6,225.96 |
|
Cliffe Woods Community Association |
Village fete |
Supporting an annual village event that brings residents together, strengthens community connections and reduces social isolation. |
£1,535 |
|
Medway Watersports |
Community watersports programme |
Supporting activities that encourage participation, build confidence and improve wellbeing through sport and outdoor experiences. |
£4,000 |
|
Slide Away |
Bereavement support for children and young people |
Providing support and safe spaces for children and young people experiencing grief and loss. |
£5,000 |
|
The Octopus Foundation |
Cre8 Shed Project |
Supporting a creative wellbeing programme for younger and neurodiverse men at risk of isolation and poor mental health. |
£6,000 |
|
Blueprint Arts Foundation CIC |
Stitching Stories |
Bringing people together through creative and intergenerational activities, building skills and community connections. |
£8,314 |
|
Elliot Holmes Memorial Trust |
Counselling for young people |
Expanding counselling support to help young people improve wellbeing and access early support. |
£9,967 |
|
Gravesham Network Development CIC |
Inclusive creative activity |
Delivering accessible community activities designed to improve inclusion and bring people together. |
£10,000 |
|
Gravesham Pride CIC |
Community Pride event |
Creating inclusive community events that celebrate diversity and strengthen local connections. |
£5,000 |
|
Herbert Baker Society |
Intergenerational History Project |
Connecting different generations through local heritage and shared community stories. |
£3,000 |
|
Lighthouse Counselling Trust |
Therapy support for young people and families |
Providing mental health and wellbeing support for families and young people. |
£5,000 |
|
Moving Memory Dance Theatre |
Moving Well Dance |
Supporting over-55s through movement sessions designed to improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness. |
£7,000 |
|
Sports 4 Change C.I.C |
Physical activity and social connection programme |
Encouraging healthier lifestyles and helping residents connect through physical activity. |
£5,000 |
|
Waterside Parents' Centre |
Waterside Community Choir |
Bringing residents together through music and social activity to improve wellbeing. |
£5,000 |
|
We Are Beams |
Family Advice Clinics |
Supporting families with young disabled children through advice, education and practical support. |
£10,000 |
More community projects
The Lower Thames Crossing has supported a range of projects that improve local places, celebrate local heritage and create opportunities for communities.
View the full list
North of the River Thames
|
Organisation |
Project |
|
Create (Arts) Limited |
Inclusive multi art form project that brings young people with severe and profound learning disabilities together with non-disabled young people in Thurrock |
|
Katie's Heart Appeal |
Purchase and maintenance of defibrillators for the community in Thurrock |
|
Havering Volunteer Centre |
To facilitate emergency food provision through foodbank vouchers and support volunteer recruitment for a volunteer centre in Havering |
|
East Tilbury Defib project {welcome Forum} |
Maintenance costs of defibrillators for the community in East Tilbury |
|
Friends of Hardie Park Ltd |
The purchase of a food delivery van for a community food project in Stanford Le Hope |
|
Havering Green Streets |
Improving the green spaces in Cranham and supporting communal activities |
|
Micro Rainbow CIC |
To support the running of an organisation that supports LGBTQI asylum seekers in accessing employment, training, financial services and housing in Thurrock |
|
The Martial Academy Health and Well-being Charity |
Delivering free exercise classes to the community in Tilbury |
|
Trailnet CIC |
Supporting the expansion of a weekly inclusive cycling session for children and young people, aged 4-25, with SEND in Warley |
|
CoDa Dance Company |
Pop-up workshop immersive dance experience supporting people with neuro-disabilities across Thurrock |
|
Communi-Tea Circle |
Expanding the support they provide to older people through hosted afternoon teas and reduce loneliness in Upminster |
|
Essex Boys' and Girls' Clubs |
Running a series of sports sessions and a sports leader programme for young people in east Tilbury |
|
Evolving Communtiy |
Supporting the cost of running weekly physical activities for children and young people in Grays |
|
Friends of Dagnam Park (FODP) |
Towards the costs of maintenance and conservation works for a community park and in Havering |
|
Get Started Art CIC |
To provide arts and crafts materials for a Coronation competition to organisations supporting children and young people with disabilities and vulnerable adults across Thurrock |
|
Hearing Help Essex Limited |
Expanding an information, advice and guidance service for individuals with hearing loss across Thurrock |
|
Odyssey Explorer Scout Unit/Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme |
Equipment for a scout group to support their camping trips and their participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, in Warley |
|
One Community Development Trust |
Supporting the running of local heritage tours including a boat tour for 220 residents from Tilbury to Greenwich, in Tilbury |
|
Orsett and Thurrock Cricket Club |
Supporting the coaching costs of a cricket club for the community in Orsett and Thurrock |
|
Orsett Village Community Forum |
Developing a sports ground called petanque terrain for the local residents in Orsett |
|
Parents 1st UK |
Outdoor exercise classes for pre and post natal mothers in Tilbury, Blackshots and Belhus |
|
Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre aka Purfleet Heritage Centre |
To support the cost of preserving and maintaining a grade one listed heritage centre for the community |
|
Re Engage |
Towards the cost of running social groups and a befriending service for older people across Essex |
|
Special Needs and Parents Limited |
To support a counselling service for individuals with special needs and their families in Brentwood |
|
Springfield Playgroup |
To purchase a free-standing mini climbing wall for a preschool in Upminster |
|
Tapestry Care UK Limited |
A project for people with dementia to engage in walking sessions across Upminster, Cranham and Harold Wood |
|
The Complete Commedia Company Ltd |
Project encouraging 14-19 year olds to take part in a theatrical performance at the Horndon Medieval Feast and Fayre in Orsett |
|
Thurrock Christian Fellowship |
Towards setting up a community café for vulnerable people in Thurrock |
|
Thurrock CVS |
A series of community lunch events across parks in Thurrock open to the community |
|
Thurrock LGBTQ+ Network |
A series of social nights, held at the Thameside Theatre in Grays, to provide a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community in Thurrock |
|
Thurrock Local History Society |
Supporting the development and launch of a web application displaying a zoomable interactive heritage map of Thurrock |
|
Thurrock Mencap Society |
Physical activities for people with special needs in Thurrock |
|
Gateway Primary Free School |
The purchase two benches with planters for a primary school in Tilbury |
South of the River Thames
|
Organisation |
Project |
|
Bread of Life Ltd |
Purchase of sun shade to make outdoor space useable and salary costs of relief baker |
|
No-Walls Gardens CIC |
Core costs and replacement vehicle to expand community gardening project. |
|
Oasis Domestic Abuse Service Ltd |
Run "Blossom", an employability programme for survivors of domestic abuse who want to rebuild their lives and re-enter the workplace. |
|
Chalk Village Gardeners Club |
Purchase of equipment |
|
Girlguiding Kent West - Cobham Brownie Guide Unit (Kent) |
New resources including books, badges, creative materials and new play equipment plus a subsidised trip to elsewhere in Kent. |
|
Cobham Community Pre School |
Garden makeover including area of shade. |
|
Friends of Broomhill |
Provide disabled access to the Old Orchard, nine acres of woodland owned by the charity |
|
Gravesend Regatta Society |
Enhance safety equipment and training to allow them to function more effectively as an organisation. |
|
Northfleet Community Farm |
Develop a small animal enclosure |
|
Medway Sport (Medway Council) |
Facility improvement of Strood Sports Centre to enable the delivery of free community cricket sessions to targeted groups.
|
|
Shorne Parish Council |
Provision of an automated external defibrilator and cabinet. |
|
Thames And Medway Canal Association |
Anti vandal site welfare cabin to be used as their headquarters. |
|
The Cyclopark Trust |
Creation of a new cycling skill zone. |
|
11th Gravesend (St Marys) Scouts |
Equipment to support the opening of a new scout section |
|
Higham Parish Council |
Items on our Wish List that would benefit the Community |
