February newsletter – Green Light is under way!

Breathe, Move, Feel workshop
Image: Breathe Move Feel workshop during Green Light 2026 by Mark Massey. © Mark Massey

Green Light is officially under way – and what a start it’s been!

With bigger audiences, more variety and an incredible mix of creative activity, it’s been brilliant to see so many people getting involved in Green Light across the borough.

So far, highlights have included everything from henna art and acrylic painting to basket making, with artists and participants alike bringing energy, curiosity and plenty of colour to the borough.

There’s been a real buzz at events – with most now completely sold out – showing just how strong the appetite is for creative activity across our communities.

If you haven’t booked yet, there are just a handful of tickets remaining for:

  • Moominvalley theatre show, East Tilbury – 20th February, 10.00am & 12.30pm
  • Sewing, embroidery and natural dye workshop, Purfleet-on-Thames – 21st February, 12pm and 3pm
  • Afrobeats dance workshop, South Ockendon – 22nd February, 2.30pm

If one of these has caught your eye, we’d recommend booking quickly to avoid missing out.

Might not use your ticket?

If you’ve booked a ticket for any event but your plans change, please remember to return it via Eventbrite so someone on the waiting list can take your place. It makes a HUGE difference and helps as many people as possible to get involved.

It’s really easy – just find your ticket on the app or click the ‘view and manage your order’ link on the email, and then click the ‘cancel order’ button on the ticket.

Alternatively, you can email contact@startthurrock.org and ask to cancel, and our team will make the changes.

Already attended a Green Light event?

Please remember to complete our evaluation forms – your feedback helps us shape future programmes and ensure activities continue to meet the needs of our communities.

Complete the evaluation form

Reserve your FREE tickets here

Image: Selina Chandler basketry workshop in Corringham by Julia Stallard
Image: Selina Chandler basketry workshop in Corringham by Julia Stallard. © Julia Stallard

Don’t miss out – become a Super Fan

If you don’t want to miss out on future events, join our Super Fan club today!

Signing up as a Super Fan – for free – means you’ll be the first to know about future Start Thurrock events, ticket releases and opportunities. Our evaluation form for Super Fans is also much shorter because we have a lot of your details already – so that means more time to enjoy the events!

To secure early access to information about upcoming activities and projects click this link:

Become a Super Fan

CCS workshop gathering
Image: CCS workshopping with ideas

Feel inspired? Creative Community Support (CCS) is now open!

Has taking part in Green Light sparked an idea of something you’d like to try?

Our Creative Community Support (CCS) programme reopens for applications from today, offering support for local people who want to develop creative ideas, projects or activities in Thurrock.

There are a couple of changes this year – we’ve refreshed the guidance notes and application form to make them clearer and simpler.

We’ve also introduced an important new step – all applicants will now have a short pre-application conversation before submitting. This is designed to be a supportive discussion, helping to shape ideas before submission and make the programme even more inclusive – reflecting our ongoing commitment to accessibility, transparency and community empowerment.

CCS is about enabling local ideas – not creating hoops to jump through – and we want everyone to feel supported from the very beginning.

The new guidance is now up on our website – just click below to find out more.

See all info about CCS funding

Apples and Snakes spoken word artist from Green Light 2025 by Richard Bonsu
Image: Apples and Snakes spoken word artist from Green Light 2025 by Richard Bonsu. © Richard Bonsu

Performance poets wanted for WORDCUP26

Are you a performance poet ready to step up to help young people find their voice?

Start Thurrock is partnering with Apples and Snakes to bring WORDCUP2026 to Thurrock, and we’re looking for an Assistant Poet Coach to join this exciting national project.

From April to June 2026, you’ll support the delivery of creative workshops for 13–16-year-olds, helping them develop writing and performance skills ahead of a festival weekend at the Southbank Centre in July.

As part of this paid role, you’ll also take part in an international Creative Lab with poets from the USA, Canada and Mexico – a brilliant professional development opportunity.

To apply, complete the application using the link below.

Apply Now

Image: Corringham Big Lunch 2025 by Mark Massey
Image: Corringham Big Lunch 2025 by Mark Massey. © Mark Massey

What’s next?

Green Light has kicked off Start Thurrock’s 2026 but there’s plenty more to look forward to this year.

Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more information about:

  • Big Lunches returning across the borough
  • A co–created public art project in Chadwell-St-Mary
  • Our spoken word and poetry partnership with Apples & Snakes for young people in Tilbury
  • New creative activities, events and entertainment in East Tilbury, Aveley and South Ockendon
  • And more ways for you to get involved in shaping creative events on your doorstep!

Keep an eye on our channels and, if you haven’t already, consider becoming a Super Fan to stay one step ahead.

Thanks, as always, for being part of the Start Thurrock community!

Start Thurrock
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