On 19th December, Rebecca attended the first tree planting workshop that took place at the Gunny in Canvey Island. Despite the wet weather conditions, the teams from Trust Links, Canvey Big Local and all other attendees did a fantastic job. This was just the first of a series of workshops taking place until March 2024 as part of the development of the site. To find out more visit: www.trustlinks.org/gunny-project

Rebecca Harris supported the Community Ownership Fund application brought forward by Trust Links alongside Canvey Island Big Local for The Gunny Project.

The Gunny was first used during WWII as an Anti-Aircraft Gun Battery and barracks which was tasked as a key site to defend the city of London during the bombings. The site was then redeveloped throughout the 1960s and 1970s, eventually with one of the first skate parks in the country to open there. Sadly, it fell into ruin but it is at a very real risk of complete closure altogether. Trust Links are a local charity that has provided projects right across Mid and South Essex for adults with mental health issues, those with learning difficulties, vulnerable young people and their families. The plans include the creation of a new community building which will provide much-needed space for community, social and volunteering groups by creating a space for people to readily interact, play areas for young children and their families and outdoor gym equipment for all ages.

MP Rebecca Harris commented: “A massive well done to Trust Links Charity and their volunteers for securing a £300,000 levelling up grant from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to help deliver the Gunny Project on Canvey. I was very impressed with the grant application, and it was a pleasure to support the application to the department. I know how important the Gunny Project is to many islanders and how much effort had been put in to realise it. I am pleased that this money will be added to what is left of the Canvey Big Local Million to ensure the project can be delivered.”

There are also plans for a Growing Together Therapeutic Gardening mental health and wellbeing project. There is a highly successful group run by Trust Links in Thundersley with the opportunity to join groups of like-minded people for music, art, yoga, creative writing, woodwork and a women’s group. Once it is completed, The Gunny Project really will transform the whole site and provide a real community hub right at the heart of the Island.

Trust Links Chief Executive Officer, Matt King commented: “We are very grateful to Rebecca for her support with this application and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the funding. The Gunny Community Project will turn a much-loved space in the heart of Canvey Island into a place where local families and community groups can come and relax, play, meet people and get involved in community and wellbeing projects. There is clear evidence that being outdoors is good for mental health, and we are delighted that the success of our Growing Together therapeutic community garden projects in other parts of Essex can be brought to Canvey Island too. Local people have been at the heart of designing and delivering the project and it will become an even more special place for the people of Canvey Island to enjoy.”