Trust Links and Canvey Island Big Local have transformed The Gunny!
Trust Links have been working with Canvey Island Big Local to revive The Gunny, a former military site in the heart of Canvey Island, into a thriving community space, coming 2025.
After 10 years of work by the Canvey Island Big Local and local partners, we are thrilled to announce The Gunny Community Gaden and Hub is now open.
Check out the videos below which show the journey of The Gunny from starting the building works to getting ready for the launch.
Take a look at the New Gunny Project!
Building works launch event!
The Gunny Has arrived! Watch our Launch Event!
What you can expect at The Gunny?
The Gunny is a vibrant hub that will benefit residents of all ages and includes:
- A community building: With a kitchen and two meeting rooms providing a welcoming space for the community to enjoy courses, workshops, social groups, meet-ups and much more!
- Growing Together therapeutic gardening project to support with mental health and wellbeing: An addition to our already established and successful therapeutic gardening projects in Westcliff, Shoeburyness, Thundersley, Rochford, Basildon and Braintree
- Play equipment area: For children and young people to play and have fun including a wooden trail and football goal.
- Outdoor gym facilities: For all ages to benefit from physical activity
- Picnic benches, raised vegetable beds, pergola, accessible paths: Safe spaces to connect with others, relax, and enjoy the benefits of nature.
- Accessible paths that provide safe spaces for relaxation and connection with nature.
- Environmental conservation: The Gunny will become a biodiverse space including trees, wetland area and wildflower meadow.
How YOU can support The Gunny project
We are keen to hear from local residents, businesses and organisations who would like to support us and the continued development of The Gunny or to get involved in using these unique facilities.
Gifts in Kind. Can you provide a gift such as flowers or resources for the gardens? If so we would love to hear from you.
Please get in touch by e-mailing fundraising@trustlinks.org
Spread the Word! Share news about The Gunny through social media, groups, and your community connections.
What is the Gunny?
During WWII The Gunny was an Anti-Aircraft Gun Battery and barracks, supporting the defence of London. In the 1960s The Gunny was turned into a park in the 1970s one of the first skate parks in the UK was built on the site. Over the years lack of funding meant the skate part gradually fell into ruin. By the 2000s the site was a muddy marsh and mostly used by dog walkers. We are delighted that we have been able to transform The Gunny into a safe space for the local community.
Share information about The Gunny project
You can download and share our promotional flyer for The Gunny project here. Please share with any contacts you feel would benefit from what’s on offer at this newly revitalised park and community hub in the heart of Canvey Island or anyone who might be interested in supporting this fantastic community project!
