News

How foster carers helped to change Jack's life

5 June 2025
When Jack Andrews talks about his life, he doesn’t just speak as a professional in Thurrock Council’s Children’s Services, he speaks as someone who lived through the care system and came out the other side with gratitude, love, and a desire to give back.
Now a Personal Adviser supporting young people leaving care, Jack’s path began at just seven years old, when he entered foster care in Thurrock.
“I still remember the day I was taken into care, two people turned up and told me I was moving. As a seven-year-old, it was terrifying.” Jack said.

Volunteers' Week: Meet Maria

5 June 2025
To celebrate national Volunteers' Week, we are talking to some of the great volunteers providing invaluable support for the council's work in the community
Meet Maria
Maria is originally from Moldovia and has lived in the UK for eight years with her husband and their young family.
Maria had been looking after her children full time, but when the youngest started nursery she had time to spare during the day. “I felt I should do something and develop new skills.”

Thurrock Council welcomes Serious Fraud Office investigation

3 June 2025
The council welcomes the news that the Serious Fraud Office has confirmed it is investigating allegations of fraud committed against Thurrock Council arising from its dealings with Rockfire Investment Finance Plc and other Rockfire companies.
The SFO has today issued a series of Section 2 notices compelling financial institutions to provide information about Rockfire, linked to Thurrock Council’s investments in solar farm bonds.

Volunteers' Week: Meet volunteer Sharon

3 June 2025
To celebrate national Volunteers' Week, we talk to some of the wonderful volunteers providing invaluable support in the community
Meet Sharon
For the past three years, Sharon has been serving up breakfasts to children and families in the three tower blocks in Chadwell St Mary.
Sharon, who lived on the estate for years, noticed that “there were lots of children in the blocks going to school with no breakfast in their belly”.

The Big Lunch returns to Thurrock for summer 2025

2 June 2025
Residents of Thurrock can once again get together with friends and family and enjoy an afternoon of outdoor fun and activities thanks to the return of Big Lunches.
The Big Lunch is a community-run initiative, supported by a partnership between Start Thurrock, Thurrock Council, Thurrock CVS, Impulse Leisure and Active Essex.
The Big Lunch returns to South Ockendon, East Tilbury, Chadwell-St-Mary, Purfleet-on-Thames, Aveley and Corringham.

Volunteers' Week: Meet volunteer Chris

2 June 2025
To celebrate national Volunteers' Week, we talk to some of the great volunteers providing invaluable support for the council's work in the community
Meet Chris
This year, Chris marks his 25th year volunteering to help his community in Tilbury and across Thurrock.
Chris was born and bred in Tilbury and lived and worked locally all his life. He is committed to giving back his neighbourhood.
“I am a community man. It’s in my genes. My mum and dad instilled in me the ethic of community.”

Fun day out for our foster families

30 May 2025
Foster families from across Thurrock attended a special event at Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre to celebrate the launch of a new support network for carers.
Over 72 foster parents and children enjoyed a memorable day of fun, taking part in free outdoor activities such as kayaking, climbing and abseiling.
The families were invited to the centre to mark the successful launch of the Mockingbird programme. 

Helping shops in Thurrock get ready for the single-use vape ban

30 May 2025
Thurrock Council’s Trading Standards Officers have visited 179 local shops to give them advice on how to get ready for the single-use vape ban, which comes into force on Sunday 1 June.
The ban means that vapes that cannot be both recharged and refilled are banned from sale. It has been brought in to reduce waste and stop potentially dangerous batteries ending up as litter or in the waste, where they can cause fires.

Thurrock celebrates Volunteers’ Week

30 May 2025
Thurrock Council is marking national Volunteers’ Week (2 June to 8 June) by celebrating the invaluable contributions volunteers make to our community every single day.
There are a host of volunteers supporting the council’s work, often advising and supporting residents across the borough.
Councillor Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock, said: “We’re so grateful to these amazing people who give their time and energy to provide invaluable assistance to their fellow citizens and their community. We owe them a lot.”  

New Blackshot redevelopment proposals could mean no new buildings on any part of King George Playing fields

23 May 2025
Thurrock Council is consulting on new proposals to redevelop the Blackshots Estate which could mean that no part of King George Playing Field is used for new homes.
Under previous proposals the three tower blocks - Keir Hardie House, Bevan House and Morrison House - were to be demolished and replaced with 258 new, modern and energy efficient homes in a series of medium-rise flat blocks and houses. In order to do this part of King George Playing Fields would be redeveloped as part of the new housing estate.

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