Many of you will be aware that we reached an important milestone for the Stronger Together Partnership: in July, both the NHS and Thurrock Council formally signed off the Stronger Together Resilience Charter and Workplan. This official endorsement marks a significant step forward—and now the real work begins to bring it to life.
We’re already making strong early progress in several key areas:
1. Network Coordinators Appointed
One of the central commitments in our workplan is to strengthen local networks and partnerships. We’re delighted to announce that four Stronger Together Network Coordinators have now been recruited and will be starting in August. These new roles will help deepen collaboration, amplify local voices, and support joined-up working across Thurrock. We’ll be introducing them properly in the coming weeks—so watch this space!
2. Unlocking the Potential of Section 106 (s106)
The sector has long been interested in understanding how s106 developer contributions could better support local communities. At our recent Partnership Board meeting, Thurrock Council shared the latest position on s106 and reaffirmed their commitment to greater transparency and community involvement. These early conversations are helping build trust, and there’s now a clearer picture of the process and where the voluntary and community sector can play a more active role.
3. Mapping Training and Support
We know that access to training and development opportunities is essential for the strength and sustainability of the sector. That’s why we’ve commissioned a comprehensive mapping exercise to identify all the free and affordable training resources available locally. This work will ensure we make better use of what’s already out there and identify any key gaps to address.
4. Save the Date: Stronger Together Conference – 13th November
We’re excited to confirm that our Stronger Together Conference will take place on Thursday 13th November. Official invites and details will follow shortly, but for now, please hold the date. It will be a chance for us to come together as a sector, reflect on progress, share learning, and look ahead.
We’re proud of the collaborative energy building around the Stronger Together Partnership. With the Charter now officially endorsed, we’re moving from vision to action—driven by the belief that partnership and shared purpose are at the heart of a stronger Thurrock.
Stay tuned for more updates—and thank you to everyone who continues to play a role in making this happen.
Mark Tebbs (CEO of Thurrock CVS)
Chair of Stronger Together Partnership Board