APPLICATIONS are now open for the next round of Active Thames grants, with more than £100,000 available to support sports clubs and community groups across London, Kent and Essex.

The programme helps more people get active on and alongside the tidal Thames and connected waterways from rowing, sailing and paddle sports to walking along the Thames Path. It is designed to make the river a space for everyone, regardless of background, ability or experience.

Active Thames is led by the Port of London Authority (PLA), that works to keep the tidal Thames safe, protect and enhance the environment, and promote the river's use for trade, travel and recreation.

In 2024, Active Thames grants in Essex supported:

• Thurrock Yacht Club used £5,000 to upgrade its safety boats, enabling more sessions and providing safe sheltered sailing for groups including Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre and Tilbury Sea Scouts.
• Cake Club CIO received £2,000 to run weekly walk-and-talk sessions across Shoeburyness, Southend, Westcliff and Leigh, supporting 438 parents, carers and particularly women in the perinatal period, to get active and improve mental health.
• Seaquins Westcliff used £4,500 to set up walking and cycling groups for young people in the Orthodox Jewish and fostering communities, reaching nearly 400 individuals.
• Sea-Change Sailing Trust received £8,370 to provide sailing residentials for disadvantaged young people, train 15 volunteers, and run sail-training weekends for adults, helping to keep traditional Thames sailing barge skills alive.
• The 4th/6th Leigh-on-Sea Sea Scouts were awarded £3,687.50 to replace ageing buoyancy aids and kayaks, enabling more than 80 young people to get out on the Thames Estuary safely over the summer months.

The deadline for applications is Sunday, 19 October 2025

More information and an application form can be found via this link: activethames.co.uk