Creative Estuary is pleased to reveal that four creative businesses in Thurrock have been awarded the Thurrock Creative Enterprise Grant. This forms part of the Thurrock Creative Infrastructure Programme, a partnership between Creative Estuary and Thurrock Council which aims to strengthen the local creative sector.The Thurrock Creative Infrastructure Programme draws on local expertise to respond to the current needs of artists, creatives, and organisations within the Creative and Cultural Industries. Together, Creative Estuary and Thurrock Council aim to grow the borough’s creative infrastructure by supporting freelancers and creative businesses with grants and bespoke skills development opportunities. This includes a dedicated creative development grant for 18–30-year-olds and a creative community small capital grant.

The four successful Thurrock-based businesses will receive personalised one-to-one mentoring from industry experts, tailored to help them build sustainable growth and strengthen their creative enterprises.

In order to best equip Thurrock creatives, Creative Estuary is pleased to be partnered with Creative United, supporting economic growth and social impact together. Thurrock will join the growing cohort of locations involved in Re:Create, Creative United’s business support programme. Re:Create is designed to empower creative, self-employed individuals and small enterprises to develop and thrive. Creative United will provide grant awardees, and any Thurrock based creatives, access to their on-demand, e-learning tool-kit which covers subjects including business planning, marketing strategy and e-commerce, Furthermore, our Enterprise awardees will be supported with one-to-one business mentoring from Creative United’s network of creative and arts sector business advisors.

Caggy Kerlogue, Creative Assets & Place Manager at Creative Estuary, said: “We’re very pleased to be working in partnership with Thurrock Council and Creative United to deliver these programmes. Creative Estuary’s learning, from our work on the ground is that there is a small but growing creative ecology in Thurrock. Our programmes will support the emerging and developing creative sector to really drive forward change and transformation in their communities. With our help, local creatives will attain the skills, tools and resources to build sustainable business platforms, strengthen creative career pathways for emerging talent, and build on the legacy of Thurrock’s existing creative infrastructure. Our Enterprise awardees exemplify the vast potential within this local sector; by empowering them to pursue their business ambitions, we help shape a future for creative leadership in Thurrock that truly reflects the diversity of its communities.”

Sarah Thirtle, Director of Strategic Development at Creative United, said: “At Creative United, we believe artists and creative enterprises make valuable contributions to their local economies and communities. However, many struggle with precarious income or experience barriers to opportunities. Bespoke mentoring and training, designed with creatives in mind, can unlock growth and impact. This is why we’re thrilled to be partnering with Creative Estuary, bringing our Re:Create business support programme to Thurrock.”

Meet the grant recipients:

• Afu Namb Ltd – Grace runs a fashion atelier rooted in community, culture, and circularity, blending contemporary design with African heritage to create bespoke pieces that foster cross-cultural connection.
• Film Thurrock – Film Thurrock is a film and arts organisation based in Thurrock, dedicated to enriching the local and wider Essex community through screenings, festivals, workshops, and exhibitions.
• Lights Camera Action CIC – Lights Camera Action CIC is a community-led social enterprise in Thurrock that empowers underrepresented young people through media, photography, and creative skills training.
• U-Turnships CIC – U-Turnships CIC empowers disadvantaged youth excluded from mainstream education through creative mentoring, physical activity, and wellbeing support. They offer work experience via community partnerships and new music, hair, and beauty studios. Their expanded three-day Afro Food Festival showcases Thurrock’s culture and young talent with a film festival, youth party, and family day.

To find out more information about our awardees please visit here.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

CREATIVE ESTUARY is the creative development agency for north Kent and south Essex and their ambition is to transform the 60 miles of the Thames Estuary into one of the most exciting cultural hubs in the world. They are working to forge a new future founded on creative energy and innovation along the length of the Thames. Their deeply networked development programme builds leadership, capacity and space for creative production, and accelerates the growing cultural impact of the Thames Estuary region. They understand and use culture as the catalyst for growth, resulting in the provision of much needed space for expanding creative businesses. This delivers the scale of services, skills and infrastructure sought by both UK and international creative producers and organisations. Creative Estuary is supported using public funding by Arts Council England as part of their Place Partnerships Fund.

CREATIVE UNITED is an entrepreneurial Community Interest Company that strives for economic growth and social impact in the arts, cultural and creative industries. We provide a range of programmes and business services that enable the development and sustainability of organisations and enterprises operating within these sectors. Our vision is for artists, creative enterprises and cultural organisations to have access to the specialist skills, professional advice and services they need to achieve their ambitions for growth and impact within their communities. Our mission is to build a sustainable and resilient creative economy, making the arts accessible for all. See our website for more information.