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Play Streets would you like one in our area

Play streets typically allow children to play freely, without organised games or activities.
This means children can cycle, scoot, skate, chalk, skip, hopscotch, kick a ball around and make up games. They are joyous and active!

Would you like to turn your road into a regular ‘Play Street’ for your children and your neighbour’s children to play safely?

Play streets give children a chance to play, be active and make friends on their street, whilst also building community and encouraging active citizenship. As well as these immediate benefits, they can help to bring about a longer-term culture-change, where streets are safer and friendlier and it is more normal for children to play out.

To find out more, use the link below or contact; teresa@riversidecommunity.org.uk

PLAYINGOUT.NET

Start a play street on your street – Playing Out An easy introduction to getting started with play streets where you live. Find tips and resources for making your street a place to play

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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.”

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YOUTHINK! event set to inspire Thurrock’s Young People

An inspirational event is being held at South Essex College’s Thurrock Campus for young people who have a new business idea.

Bringing together South Essex College, Riverside Community Big Local (a National Lottery funded organisation) and Thurrock Council, the YOUTHINK! event is taking place on 26th April at the College’s Thurrock Waves Restaurant from 5.30pm.

It aims to inspire Thurrock’s young people who have social enterprise and business ideas, with advice and support to start a new business and help to find funding.

The event is open to young people aged 16-24 with an inspirational idea who will have the opportunity to pitch their new business or social enterprise idea to the room.

Everyone who attends donates £5 and gets a bowl of tasty homemade soup and a roll (made by the students) as well as the chance to vote on their favourite idea. All of the £5s collected go into a pot and the winning idea receives the money, so the more people who attend, the bigger the pot!.

This event has been inspired by Thurrock Soup where previous winners have received up to £200 on the night as well as further funding to use towards setting up their business.

Teresa O’Keeffe from Riverside Community Big Local, said: “Many people have an idea tucked away, but they don’t know what to do with it. This is an opportunity for all of Thurrock’s young adults to turn their ideas into a business, with help, business support and access to funding. We hope that the local schools and colleges take up this challenge. It should be a great evening!”

Graeme Collie, Head of Commercial Catering at South Essex College, said it was a great opportunity for young people.
He said: “I’m delighted the College is hosting this event which will inspire our future generation. This event is the perfect opportunity for young people to realise their potential and achieve their dreams.”
Everyone is welcome to attend.

To book your place, visit:www.thurrocksoup7.eventbrite.co.uk Continue reading “YOUTHINK! event set to inspire Thurrock’s Young People”

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Youthink

Souping up your business plans

Thurrock Soup aims 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.

These regular events offer local people an opportunity to pitch their ideas and win some start-up money if chosen as the best idea on the night.

To take part, participants are invited to treat themselves to a bowl of tasty soup and a roll for £5, all of which goes into a pot. The £5 also gives people the chance to vote for their preferred idea.

Previous Soup winners have received £100 to £200 to use towards setting up their business. In all, over £800 has been raised so far and ot all has been used to help new businesses start up!

One of these successes is “Smallzdeep”, a young musician who used his start-up fund to set-up a music studio here in Grays where he works with young people, sometimes from difficult backgrounds to help them to express themselves through music.

This is often helped by working with known artists and rising artists such as D’One. On Thursday 26 April there will be a special version of the Soup event – YOUTHINK! – aimed at young people aged 16 to 25 who have an inspirational idea.

This event will be held at Waves Restaurant, South Essex College in New Road Grays and will start at 5.30pm – everyone welcome!

Do you have a great idea? Would you like to start a business?

For more information and to book a place at an event visit:www.thurrocksoup7.eventbrite.co.uk or business@thurrock.gov.uk

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LOVE GRAYS: GRAYS IN BLOOM – Princes Trust win public vote for best planter

Several parts of Grays Town Centre were cheered up this summer with the first ever Grays in Bloom competition.  5 local Voluntary Groups took part in designing the displays and keeping them looking nice throughout the summer.  A vote was held on Facebook for the best display and the winners were Princes Trust with their planter in George Street near the State Cinema.

Riverside Community Big Local provided the trophy and Griffin Residential provided other prizes.

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Tribe by the Thames – New Youth Group started with a flourish

Our newly launched youth group has named itself “Tribe by the Thames” and we quite like it!

The youngsters from the Grays Riverside area drew several logos to reflect their new name.

The first couple of weeks have been indoors and have given the young people a chance to get to know one another and their volunteer leaders.

There are still plenty of spaces in the groups, different age groups meet on different nights as follows:

Ages 8-11 Tuesdays 4-6pm, Ages 12-15 Thursdays 5-7pm and Ages 16-19 Mondays 6-8pm the meeting place is the Inspire Youth Hub, Orsett Road, opposite Thameside Theatre.[fbvideo link="https://www.facebook.com/marta.woldanski/videos/10212822606339215/" width="500" height="400" onlyvideo="1"]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Are you a considerate neighbour? Do you care about your street?

Is this what you think of when you hear Ambassador?
Is this what you think of when you hear Ambassador?

We are looking to recruit a Street Ambassador for every street in the area!  “What’s a Street Ambassador?”, You cry!

A Street Ambassador is someone who will work in conjunction with Riverside Community in an attempt to improve the conditions and lifestyle within their local area and to promote Riverside Community Big Local projects and connect with residents.

We will hold regular meetings of all Street Ambassadors, to discuss issues and start projects that will transform the neighbourhood.

Issues that would be identified and addressed might include:

  • Anti-Social behaviour
  • Fly-tipping
  • Waste and recycling issues
  • Concern for vulnerable neighbours
  • Social integration
  • Housing issues
  • Community Spirit and Neighbourliness

To register your interest please complete the form below and we will get in touch immediately.

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New Youth Club looking for the next Bear Grylls

youth-skills-optimisedGrays Riverside Big Local are launching an exciting new outdoor skills project for the young people of Grays Riverside in partnership with Forest School for All.

The weekly activities are for youngsters aged 6-19 who want to learn forest skills such as shelter building, fire lighting, outdoor cooking, camp craft and new life skills and will be on different weeknights for three age ranges.

The group are also looking for adult volunteers who would like to receive training and be involved. Organiser, Jeanette Alexander said “I often see young people transformed when they are learning practical skills outdoors, so many don’t get the regular opportunity to do these kinds of activities in a safe environment.”

To register your interest in joining one of the groups fill in the form below or as a volunteer please apply here or call Jeanette on 07788 529505

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