Browsing: Community

Leigh Road Baptist Church is inviting homes, schools, and businesses across Southend to take part in Streets of Light 2025, transforming their windows into glowing displays of “Light, Love and Hope” from 25 October to 2 November. The creative community project aims to connect neighbours and spread positivity across the city.

Southend-on-Sea residents are being reminded that the city’s new waste and recycling service begins the week of 27 October 2025. The rollout includes new wheelie bins, alternate weekly collections, and a dedicated app to keep households informed.

Southend Libraries has been awarded Arts Council England National Lottery funding to expand its popular Storysacks programme, helping local families make reading fun, hands-on, and accessible through creative kits and free storytelling workshops.

Southend has launched the Red Relief scheme, making free period products available in nine council-owned venues across the city as part of a two-year trial, led by the Southend City Youth Council to tackle period poverty.

Southend-on-Sea City Council is reminding residents to celebrate responsibly with its Rocket O’Clock campaign, asking people to limit private fireworks to 7pm–9pm while enjoying official seafront displays for safe, family-friendly fun.

A local resident questions whether Southend’s 20mph limits have made roads safer, citing Department of Transport data that shows serious accidents along the Golden Mile have more than tripled since their introduction.

Tiny toes ballet Essex Mid & South, run by Natalie McCormack, has been named a national finalist in the What’s On 4 Kids National Children’s Activities Awards 2025.

Southend’s Halloween Parade is calling all ghouls, ghosts, and glittering floats! Join the illuminated seafront spectacle for free—register your group, decorate your float, and help create a spooktacular carnival atmosphere on 26 October 2025. Spots fill fast, so sign up before 5 October to take part in one of Southend’s most exciting community events.

Southend-on-Sea City Council has received the Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, recognising its commitment to veterans, reservists, service personnel, and their families through supportive policies, recruitment practices, and community engagement.

Southend residents are invited to a community meeting on Tuesday 16th September 2025 at Shoebury Baptist Church to discuss the Council’s Local Plan, which proposes 10,000 new homes on Bournes Green. Organisers are urging locals to complete the consultation and voice concerns about the impact on green belt land, affordable housing, and community infrastructure.