Local community group East Beach Residents Association (EBRA) has teamed up with local mental health and wellbeing charity Trust Links to develop an exciting new project for young people in Shoeburyness. £9,396 of funding has been awarded by The National Lottery Fund towards the project, which will commence in April.

The Lottery funding will enable Trust Links to deliver its popular Dig It Youth service, a weekly after school project for children and young people aged between 8 and 12 years old. Dig It Youth has been run by Trust Linksat their Shoeburyness site for 10 years, however the project did not go ahead in 2024 as there was no funding available to run it. This new funds will enable Dig It Youth to take place between April and October in both 2025 and 2026.

Dig It Youth is delivered at Growing Together Shoeburyness, an award-winning one acre community garden on Elm Road next to The Woodlands. The site features a large log cabin, polytunnels, wildlife area, play area and large sensory labyrinth. The garden is maintained by adults with mental health challenges and learning disabilities who attend the site every week, helping to boost their wellbeing and develop their skills. Young people engaging with Dig It Youth will enjoy a range of positive activities at the sessions including gardening, cooking, drama, crafts, forest school activities, sports and opportunities to work on their mental health and wellbeing.

Matt King, CEO of Trust Links, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with EBRA to bring Dig It Youth back to Shoeburyness next Spring. It is so important to give young people opportunities to meet with others, learn new things and have fun in a safe and supportive environment. The transition from primary to secondary school can by tough for some young people and we hope that Dig It Youth will be able to help local youth through this time in their lives. The Growing Together Shoeburyness community garden is an ideal space for the project and our staff team and volunteers are looking forward to supporting young people through the project.”

Louise Wilcox, Chair of EBRA, said ‘ East Beach Residents’ Association works for children, young people and adults in our community.  We are delighted to be able to support this local project, which will provide an opportunity for young people to get together and find support in a safe, outdoor space’