Posted on

Help for Pupils at Thameside School

Children at Thameside Primary School were thrilled to receive 20 brand new Chromebooks from the Riverside Community Big Local.

The new devices will make a huge difference to children with no access to online learning or who are sharing one device between a family.

The school has already loaned out all of its devices and has a waiting list of pupils who will benefit from the Chromebooks.

Chair of the Riverside Community Big Local, Andy Blakey, said;

“We know just how hard it has been for many families trying their best to home school their children whilst working – and we know that for many families in Grays it’s just not possible to make sure that all children have the IT kit they need.

“We hope that these new laptops will improve access to learning for 20 young people here in Grays.”

Mrs Lynne Billinghurst, Senior Deputy Head at Thameside Primary School said;

“We are very grateful to the Riverside Community Big Local for their support.”

Posted on

Christmas dinners for the Community

Riverside Community Big Local were kept busy over the Christmas period in the planning and execution of our Christmas dinners for the Community!

The idea was put forward by Renae Leybourn, one of our board members, and it wasn’t long before The Fleet in Purfleet had offered to cook the 50 meals for former rough sleepers, those who are vulnerable and isolated and those who had no access to a hot meal.

But these weren’t any dinners, these are Christmas Dinners, to be delivered chilled on Christmas Eve ready to be reheated on Christmas Day. Even the bags were a gift-donated by Ghurka Kitchen in Grays and each bag included the meal with all the trimmings, a Christmas hat and a special treat-a mini Christmas Cake-made and supplied by South Essex College.

The pictures show us happy elves preparing the bags and getting ready to deliver them on Christmas Eve.

A special Thank you to all at the Fleet-Dermot, Alison and Holly.

Posted on

We have hit our targets

Supporting Communities with Zoom Riverside Community has been helping communities to continue to gather and has reached three milestones this week

Over 1000 Zoom meetings

Over a quarter of a million minutes on Zoom

Over 5000 people connecting via Zoom

Posted on

Applications for 2021 are now open!

Thurrock Social Entrepreneurship Programme

A seven-day programme over seven months, to help you start up

Dates 1 Mar 2021 – 18 Oct 2021

Duration 7 days

Cost

Thanks to the support of Riverside Community Big Local, there is no fee to take part in this programme. Free

Click here for more details

Our promise.

We are confident that you will enjoy this course but always welcome your feedback.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: Good news – we’re still going ahead with this programme! Don’t worry, activities will happen online or by phone, not in person. We have suspended in-person activities for the time-being, in line with government guidelines. Instead, we will deliver learning online, and adapt content to suit your needs during these challenging times. (If you can’t access online learning, we’ll try to find another format that is accessible for you.) 

Posted on

THURROCK SOUP 29th October 2020

Last month once again, local people across Thurrock were invited to have their business ideas turned into reality, thanks to the latest Thurrock Soup event.

Thurrock Soup events aim to help inspire social enterprise and business ideas from Thurrock residents and offer advice and support in starting a new business and in identifying funding.

Due to current restrictions, we held this event on Zoom, to ensure that it is as much fun as usual we encouraged people to wear their Halloween Costumes, pour themselves a drink of choice and get in the mood.

Usually we provide refreshments and a vote for £5, this time there was already £300 in the ‘Soup Pot’ for the winner so we were off to a flying start.

Over 25 people joined us for the evening, many of whom took us up on the challenge to wear fancy dress!

There were 5 fantastic pitches;

Richard Bonsu- wants to use Music and Media to inspire and encourage young people

Katie Sparks- wants to open a ‘0 waste’ mobile unit

Jim Graham-wants to set up a ‘Mens Shed’ in Elm Road Open Space

Tina Holland-wants to open a Community Café in Grays Town Park

Dannielle Cronin- wants to open a Community Shop in Grays

And the winner is…..Dannielle Cronin, with the great idea to set up a Community Shop in Grays which will help to reduce food waste and help people who are struggling to buy food.

As a postscript, all of those who pitched their ideas on this virtual soup have since applied for and been awarded, further funding from UnLtd in Partnership with Riverside Community Big Local, in total over £12, 000! Well done all.

This event was hosted by Riverside Community Big Local in partnership with Thurrock Council’s Economic Development team and is open to all residents, businesses and voluntary sector organisations in Thurrock.

Do you have a great idea?

Contact; teresa@riversidecommunity.org.uk