April newsletter – see Purfleet Pantry’s makeover!

Start visiting the new-look Purfleet Pantry

The Purfleet Community Pantry and Café has officially reopened its doors, and if you’ve not been by recently, you’ll notice it’s had quite the transformation.

So many local people have come together to update this space and we’re proud to have played a part too. As well as providing funding, we introduced the pantry team to designer Laura Whiting, who ran creative design sessions, and brought in Aveley Men’s Shed, ensuring local residents shaped what the space would become.

Local businesses stepped in to offer expertise and resources, while the Freemasons and Creative Estuary provided additional financial support to help bring the vision to life. Volunteers were at the heart of it all, contributing time, ideas and energy to create something that genuinely reflects the community it serves.

The result is a more creative and adaptable space, designed alongside residents so it will go beyond practical support and bring people together. With moveable furniture and foldaway tables seamlessly built into bespoke artworks, the space can shift easily between everyday use and creative events. It’s warm, welcoming and designed for connection.

If you don’t know about the Purfleet Pantry, local residents can pay £5 to access an abundance of food, saving them on average £27 a week. But it also offers so much more – strengthening communities and reducing loneliness. The new-look pantry regularly offers a hot drink and cake for £1 to bring people together – so be sure to follow them on socials to see other offers and events.

If you haven’t visited yet, now’s the perfect time to see what’s been created.

Read more about the transformation in our case study.

Start the story: Thurrock creates storybook together

What happens when a whole community creates a story together? Thurrock is about to find out.

Families across Belhus, Aveley, East Tilbury and Corringham libraries recently teamed up with The Drama Geezers to create The Great Thurrock Story Book, a collaborative storytelling project powered by drama and plenty of energy.

Across two days of workshops, children and adults were encouraged to dive deep into their imaginations to invent characters, explore magical settings and decide what happened next. Each session added a new chapter, with every library putting its own spin on the unfolding adventure.

The result? One big, brilliantly unpredictable story shaped by the people of Thurrock themselves.

The sessions were full of creativity, laughter and some seriously inventive ideas, with participants bouncing off each other to build something bigger than any one group could create alone.

This project was made possible through our Creative Community Support programme and this is exactly the kind of shared experience the CCS is designed for.

The next step will be bringing it all together into a printed storybook for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to see the finished result.

Start the fun with Out of the Box in South Ockendon

We’re bringing Edinburgh Fringe entertainment to South Ockendon this May.

After a successful performance at Thameside Theatre earlier this year, we’ve invited Darryl J Carrington back to bring his circus show Out of the Box to the streets!

Out of the Box is a live, interactive show taking over Derwent Parade – and the best part is, it’s completely free to enjoy. Alongside the main performance, there’ll also be a drop-in workshop, so you can get involved with the fun for as long or little as you like!

Out of the Box has wowed audiences across the UK, including award-winning runs at both the Edinburgh and Brighton Fringe. Expect 30 minutes of playful chaos, impressive skill and genuinely funny moments as everyday objects are transformed into something extraordinary.

With over 20 years of experience, Darryl’s style blends juggling, physical theatre and silent comedy, making it accessible for all ages from toddlers to grandparents. It’s the kind of show where everyone feels part of the action, with warmth and humour at its heart.

If you’re nearby on Saturday 9th May, it’s well worth stopping by to see what unfolds. Shows take place at 11am and 12.30pm, followed by the workshop at 1pm – simply come along to Derwent Parade and find the fun, no booking required!

Find out more.

Start exploring with the Port of Tilbury Open Day

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at one of the UK’s busiest ports?

The Port of Tilbury is opening its doors for a special Open Day, giving local residents the chance to explore a key part of Thurrock’s industrial landscape up close. It’s a rare opportunity to see how the port operates, learn more about its role in trade and logistics, and get a sense of the scale of activity happening right on your doorstep.

The Start Thurrock team will be there adding our creative twist to the day. You can also vote on the act you most want to see at this year’s Picnic in the Park, so make sure you join us to have your say!

The day is designed to be accessible and informative, with activities and experiences that offer insight into the port’s work, history and future. Whether you’re interested in engineering, logistics or simply curious about how things move in and out of the country, there’s something to discover.

It’s also a chance to connect with an organisation that plays a major role in the local economy and community.

More information.

Start shaping Chadwell’s new art trail

Chadwell St Mary will soon have a series of new public artworks designed with and shaped by the community.

Artist Lucy McDonald has been working with local groups across the area as part of Start Thurrock’s Artist in Residence programme, building on earlier community consultation to develop a project that reflects what people want to see in their local spaces.

Through workshops and conversations, residents have been exploring what kinds of artwork they connect with and how those ideas can translate into something visible and lasting. The project focuses on creating permanent pieces across Chadwell, celebrating local green spaces and community identity.

Groups and individuals across Chadwell are contributing to the designs of four new artworks including Arthur Barnes Court residents, Chadwell Amateur Boxing Gym, USP College (Palmer’s Campus) and Emmanuel Church. The final artworks could take many forms, from murals and sculptures to window installations and planted pieces, and they’ll all be linked by a central artwork that brings the wider community’s input together.

Alongside this, a ‘Window Wanderland’ project will open up opportunities for residents to get involved from home, helping extend the trail across the area.

The project will culminate in a community art trail this summer, complete with a map and guided walks. We’ll be sharing more about how you can get involved in upcoming newsletters. For now, it’s a case of watch this space as ideas begin to take shape across Chadwell.

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