Trust Links and Canvey Island Big Local are transforming the Gunny!

Trust Links are 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 launch of building works commencing at the historic Gunny site. The building works launch event took place on Friday 29^th November where we invited the public to join in celebrating the beginning of the building works which will turn the empty, historic site into a thriving community asset.

Check out the video below from our Building works launch event!

What’s coming to the Gunny?

There are ambitious plans for The Gunny, and with the support of the wider community and local businesses, the plans are set to create a vibrant hub that will benefit residents of all ages. The exciting vision includes:

• A community building: 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 area: For children and young people to play and have fun
• 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.
• Pergolas
• 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

There are a number of ways you can support the transformation of this valuable community asset now and for future generations:

Volunteer for tree planting, fundraising, and promotional opportunities available. To book onto a free tree planting workshop, click here!

• Spread the Word! Share news about the Gunny through social media, groups, and your community connections.

• Organise a fundraising event. Whether it’s a bake sale, coffee morning or golf day; any money raised will be gratefully received and will help!

• Sponsor the Gunny. There are a range of levels available for sponsorship. If you or your business would like to get involved, contact our team through the information at the bottom of this page, and view our Sponsorship options here.

• Gifts in Kind. Can you provide a gift such as flowers or resources for the gardens? We’d love to hear from you!

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 today is mostly used by dog walkers. We plan to transform The Gunny into a safe space for the local community. Once completed in 2025, there will be opportunities for people of all ages to connect, engage with nature, and enjoy activities in the hub and community garden.

If you would like to talk to our team about supporting The Gunny, Canvey Island, please get in touch by emailing fundraising@trustlinks.org – we would love to hear from you!

Please be aware The Gunny site will be closed while building works are taking place from now until July 2025.  We will be planning a visit of the building works in April 2025 for all partners and stakeholders to see the work in progress, keep an eye on our social media and website for further information.