Estuary Festival devised a programme of activities to engage a diverse broad cross-section of Canvey residents in imagining positive futures for their town to inform Pride in Place programme plans. 

Through drawing, writing, discussions and shared storytelling, people of all ages reflected on what gives them pride in their community – from local generosity and neighbourliness to green spaces, heritage, and the island’s unique character.

Creative, visual, and written ideas were collected to gather diverse community hopes, priorities, and ideas for how the fund should be spent.

A total of 817 postcards were completed created in 14 group sessions with diverse groups across the borough from libraries, Blind & Sight Impaired groups, faith groups and college students as well as over 9 days at a pop-up workshop and exhibition space in Knightswick Shopping Centre.

Find out more
If you’d like to find out more about Estuary Festival’s Pride in Place engagement work contact Thea Behrman [email protected]

Project credits
Project director: Thea Behrman
Producer: Michaela Freeman
Lead artist/designer: Priya Sundrum
Local artists/facilitators: Lu Williams, Laura Trevail, Heidi Wigmore, Sally Chinea, Lois Leon, Jo Armstrong, Steph Stenson, Claudia Keogh