Community Builders Newsletter May 2026
"Come for the Events, Stay for the Vibes”
Hi there, great to have you back again!
This month features fun local festivals and fayres with music, food, and family activities, plus a reminder to get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week, why not reach out to a friend and invite them along to one of the festivals or fayres? It’s a great way to connect and show you care.
Mental Health Awareness Week
As we approach Mental Health Awareness Week, it’s a great opportunity for all of us to come together and shine a light on something that touches so many lives- our mental well-being. Mental health is something everyone has, and it’s shaped by daily life, relationships, and environment. Together, we can make a real difference, because caring for our mental health is something we all do best when we do it together.
Feeling connected is key to good mental health, and sometimes all it takes is a friendly chat to make a difference. Reaching out can really brighten someone’s day and yours too.
Other ways we can encourage good mental health:
Organise a Community Walk or Run: Get everyone moving by hosting a walk or fun run in your neighbourhood. Physical activity is great for mental well-being, and it’s a perfect chance to chat and support each other.
Share Your Story: Encourage friends and neighbours to share their mental health journeys. Personal stories can break down stigma and inspire others to seek help or open up.
Create a Supportive Space: Set up a cosy corner in your community centre or local café where people can drop in to chat, relax, or just be heard. Sometimes, a listening ear is all someone needs.
Promote Local Resources: Put up flyers or share information about mental health services, helplines, and support groups available in your area. Making it easy for people to find help can make all the difference.
In true practice what you preach- we’ve popped some information below.
Livewell Southend-health-wellbeing/mental-health support
Welcome to the Spotlight; Showcasing a few of the exciting events and sessions that are happening across the month.
Old Leigh Artists’ Market
Monday 4th May
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Strand Wharf, SS9 2EP
A great day out enjoying our talented artists and boosting our local economy. Meet wonderfully creative stallholders, many of them working live, and find something special to take home to brighten up a wall or shelf.
Trust Links May Fayre
Saturday 9th May
Westcliff-on-Sea, Fairfax Drive, SS0 9AG
11:00 am - 2:00pm
A fun-filled day with live music, raffle, plant sales, refreshments, food and much more. A family day out not to be missed out!
In Harmony Festival
Sunday 24th May
Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7EW
12:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Free multi-cultural, family street festival celebrating local talent and community in the beautiful setting of Hamlet Court Road.
Featuring a children and families corner, and more than 50 stalls offering a wide range of information, food and crafts, while local businesses offer the opportunity to sample all that Hamlet Court Road has to offer.
Eastwood Summer Fayre
Sunday 31st May
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Ekco Social Club, Thornford Gardens, Southend, SS2 6PU
Come and join us for a free admission day of live music and over 30 local sellers, including food and crafts and plenty of space for the kids to run off some steam after a long half term!
Other dates for the diary 📝
Victory Day Celebration
Saturday, 2nd May
11.00 am to 4.00 pm-
Celebrate Victory Day. With a wide range of free events and activities for all the family.
Monday 4th May
11:30 am to 4:00 pm
View the hovercraft and lifeboats, meet the crew, say hello to Stormy Stan and learn all about Southend RNLI.
The Old Shanty Weekend- Strand Warf
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th
2:00pm and 6:00pm
A host of shanty crews will make their way to the atmospheric fishing village of Leigh‑on‑Sea to celebrate in the only way they know how – singing songs of the sea.
Trust Links Bouldering Together
Tuesdays
4:00pm – 6:00pm @Indirock
Thanks to funding from Sport England, young people can learn to climb for just £1 per session, a great chance to try something new, build confidence, and make new friends along the way. Open to those aged 11–18 (up to 25 for those with SEND). Sign up here
Weekly /regular events in our communities and around the city
Salvation Army Community Hub
Every Friday
10:00am - 2:00pm
195 Frobisher Way, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea SS3 8UT
The Sanctuary café
Fridays: 10:00 am- 12:00pm
Saturdays: 10:00 am -1:00pm
Wesley Methodist Church: Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1SJ
Welcome to the UK -Teens Business Club
Friday 4:30pm -5:30pm
1st Floor Victoria Shopping Centre,
362 Chartwell Square, Victoria Plaza,
Southend, SS2 5SP
Email: office@welcome2theuk.com
Tel: 01702 808 579
LifeStreams Coffee house
Mon-Fri 9:30am-2:00pm / Sat 10am-1pm
Saint Peter’s Church,
Eastbourne Grove, Southend, SS0 0QF
Men-Mingle
Wednesday’s 9:00am -11:00am
St. Lukes Hub, 1 Cluny Square, Southend, SS2 4AFTel: 01702 463927
Stroke Support Group
2nd and 4th Monday 11:00am - 1:00pm
Lifestreams, 213 Manners Way, Prittlewell, SS2 6QS
Tel: 07722809609
Photo of the month- Where are we?
Guess the location…any ideas?
Community poll -
What matters most to you?
Get involved
We are looking for City Connectors, we would love to hear from you!
What makes a good connector?
Someone who lives and/or works in the local community, who is interested in the people who live there and cares about what happens in that local area. They’re connected to the existing community resources. They are good communicators and knowledge sharers, bringing people together.
Please feel free to contact us if this sounds like you, or click the city connector link.
Useful Links
Share Community Builders updates with friends and family.
Spread the word with your monthly update from the SAVS Community Builders. Hear about what we've been up to and all of the great things happening across Southend.
