Activating Neighbourhoods across Thurrock
Increasing physical activity through community-led engagement
Tilbury was identified through Place Partnership funding as an area needing targeted support to help residents become more physically active. Achieve Thrive Flourish (ATF), partnered with Active Essex to activate green spaces and understand what local people wanted from physical activity opportunities. ATF are already using a successful delivery model across other areas of Essex and have recently developed an organisational measurement framework (Tim Bidley Consultancy commissioned as part of the Active Essex Organisational Development work) to support this work. Recent progress shows that this approach is not only working, but accelerating.
With support from the Find Your Active Physical Activity Co‑ordinator and the Tilbury Physical Activity Network, ATF hosted a well-attended Discovery Day at Koala Park on 15 July. Families, councillors, schools, charities and volunteers joined together to try new activities, from Kangaroo Jumps and dance to Performing Pets and a community food share, while giving their views on what Tilbury needs from local activity opportunities.
Building on the momentum of this event, ATF expanded its local offer to create more regular, accessible activities for residents. Weekly free youth sessions were launched at Koala Park and Anchor Park, drawing around 30 young people each week. Meanwhile, the LeapSprog preschool sessions at Tilbury Library have grown so quickly that the team is now considering moving them outdoors to meet increasing demand. These activities are helping transform parks and community spaces into active, social and welcoming environments where children, young people and families feel confident to be active.
A significant achievement has been the development of young leaders and volunteers:
- Four young people have been trained by the ATF Place Navigator, gaining the confidence and skills to support delivery.
- A local parent volunteer now co‑leads netball sessions alongside youth activities, reinforcing the sustainability of provision.
- Trips such as Stubbers and community football events have encouraged several young people to join ATF’s football team, including a popular match against the police that strengthened trust and relationships.
These opportunities are helping to nurture future community leaders and deepen young people’s sense of belonging.
ATF’s Place Navigator continues to support social prescribing by connecting residents to relevant networks and activities. While formal links with a GP practice are still being explored, Active Essex and partners have identified key next steps:
- Building relationships with the integrated localities team
- Exploring opportunities for clinical‑based delivery
- Re‑establishing partner engagement to develop sustainable referral pathways
Active Essex has played a central role by convening partners through monthly Tilbury Physical Activity Network meetings at Tilbury Library. The Network provides a space for shared learning, joint planning and coordinated delivery, helping ideas such as the Leap Sprog trial grow into regular provision.
Key learnings
It's important to take time to reflect and understand the learnings from work undertaken, to focus on ways to improve in the future.
Locally trusted leadership
Developing young leaders and volunteers strengthened community ownership and supported delivery.
Transparent communication
Early communication gaps were improved through regular contact with FYA Coordinator and partners
Shared learning through networks
Shared learning through the network helped spread successful delivery.
Coordination across places
Delivering across multiple venues highlighted the need for clear coordination.
System working over competition
Collaboration helped partners align priorities and strengthen local provision.
Future Developments: What’s Next?
Looking ahead, Active Essex and ATF plan to expand neighbourhood activation work into additional parts of Tilbury and neighbouring districts over the next two years. Future Discovery Days and ongoing insight from residents will help identify priority areas and highlight where further activity provision is needed. The ambition is to strengthen community ownership of physical activity, support the development of more local leaders and volunteers, and build long‑term sustainability across all programmes. While Tilbury will remain the core focus, there is also a commitment to enabling wider borough‑wide growth where it aligns with the aims of the Place Partnership. By continuing to listen to residents, remove barriers and nurture community leadership, the project is working towards a more active, connected and confident Tilbury, one park, one family and one young leader at a time.
