Big Sparks

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The Big Sparks Fund will provide grants to residents, businesses and community groups who want to make a positive change within their communities.

A total of £40,000 is available in each of the four neighbourhoods across the city, the fund will be designed and delivered by those that live, work and support residents across the city.

The four localities/Wards and their neighbourhoods are

East - Successful Projects Funded East Central - Successful Projects Funded
  • Shoeburyness
  • Southchurch
  • Thorpe
  • West Shoebury
  • Kursaal
  • St Lukes
  • Victoria

West - Successful Projects FundedWest Central - Successful Projects Funded
  • Belfairs
  • Eastwood Park
  • Leigh
  • West Leigh
  • Blenheim Park
  • Chalkwell
  • Milton
  • Prittlewell
  • St Laurence
  • Westborough
East / East Central Area - (Round 2) *Application Now Closed*
  • Ward area as above in East and East Central

*Update - Round 2

We are delivering a second round of Big Sparks activity across the East and East Central areas to ensure they are brought up to the same level of delivery, reach, and impact as the West and West Central areas.

The East area initially served as a pilot, operating with a reduced level of funding and therefore not benefiting from the full programme offer that was rolled out later. In East Central, delivery was impacted by external factors that limited the level of council support at the time, affecting partnership opportunities and overall engagement.

With increased funding now available and stronger local authority support in place, this second round will provide a more consistent and comprehensive offer, ensuring all areas benefit equally from the programme and achieve comparable outcomes.


Residents, businesses and voluntary sector organisations are invited to submit ideas on how to make their neighbourhood safer, happier or healthier and support the city's vision of ageing, caring and living well. These ideas have will be reviewed by a neighbourhood panel, before going to a 'Big Vote'.

The Big Vote will be held in person at a local venue and the expectation is that those submitting a Project Idea for a vote will be available to answer supporting questions. However, if you are unable to attend this day, information will need to be provided for sharing at the Big Vote. Residents will be able to vote and the projects with the most votes will receive the funding. Projects not successful will be provided feedback. Supporting ideas that make where we live safer, happier and healthier.

We want to hear your views on how to make this project a success!

For more information about the Big Sparks Fund or for support with submitting your idea, please contact one of our Big Sparks Hosts, all their details on right.

Information on Insurance

Public Liability Insurance is not legally required under UK law. However, it is normally mandatory for venues, local councils, or funding bodies before an event can proceed especially for public open space events or those involving large crowds.

It’s considered essential for financial protection against injury, property damage, or legal claims.

Typical Costs for Public Liability Insurance

  • Single event cover can start from around £25 to £76, depending on the number of attendees and risk level.
  • Community group events may be covered from £66 for one-off events or £174 for multiple events.
  • Coverage levels range from £1 million to £10 million, with higher limits available through specialist providers.

Important Notes

  • Venue insurance does not automatically cover your event. You must have your own policy, and contractors (e.g., stallholders, performers) may also need separate cover.
  • Start early: Some insurers offer instant quotes and same-day documentation, but it’s best to arrange cover well in advance.

The Big Sparks Fund will provide grants to residents, businesses and community groups who want to make a positive change within their communities.

A total of £40,000 is available in each of the four neighbourhoods across the city, the fund will be designed and delivered by those that live, work and support residents across the city.

The four localities/Wards and their neighbourhoods are

East - Successful Projects Funded East Central - Successful Projects Funded
  • Shoeburyness
  • Southchurch
  • Thorpe
  • West Shoebury
  • Kursaal
  • St Lukes
  • Victoria

West - Successful Projects FundedWest Central - Successful Projects Funded
  • Belfairs
  • Eastwood Park
  • Leigh
  • West Leigh
  • Blenheim Park
  • Chalkwell
  • Milton
  • Prittlewell
  • St Laurence
  • Westborough
East / East Central Area - (Round 2) *Application Now Closed*
  • Ward area as above in East and East Central

*Update - Round 2

We are delivering a second round of Big Sparks activity across the East and East Central areas to ensure they are brought up to the same level of delivery, reach, and impact as the West and West Central areas.

The East area initially served as a pilot, operating with a reduced level of funding and therefore not benefiting from the full programme offer that was rolled out later. In East Central, delivery was impacted by external factors that limited the level of council support at the time, affecting partnership opportunities and overall engagement.

With increased funding now available and stronger local authority support in place, this second round will provide a more consistent and comprehensive offer, ensuring all areas benefit equally from the programme and achieve comparable outcomes.


Residents, businesses and voluntary sector organisations are invited to submit ideas on how to make their neighbourhood safer, happier or healthier and support the city's vision of ageing, caring and living well. These ideas have will be reviewed by a neighbourhood panel, before going to a 'Big Vote'.

The Big Vote will be held in person at a local venue and the expectation is that those submitting a Project Idea for a vote will be available to answer supporting questions. However, if you are unable to attend this day, information will need to be provided for sharing at the Big Vote. Residents will be able to vote and the projects with the most votes will receive the funding. Projects not successful will be provided feedback. Supporting ideas that make where we live safer, happier and healthier.

We want to hear your views on how to make this project a success!

For more information about the Big Sparks Fund or for support with submitting your idea, please contact one of our Big Sparks Hosts, all their details on right.

Information on Insurance

Public Liability Insurance is not legally required under UK law. However, it is normally mandatory for venues, local councils, or funding bodies before an event can proceed especially for public open space events or those involving large crowds.

It’s considered essential for financial protection against injury, property damage, or legal claims.

Typical Costs for Public Liability Insurance

  • Single event cover can start from around £25 to £76, depending on the number of attendees and risk level.
  • Community group events may be covered from £66 for one-off events or £174 for multiple events.
  • Coverage levels range from £1 million to £10 million, with higher limits available through specialist providers.

Important Notes

  • Venue insurance does not automatically cover your event. You must have your own policy, and contractors (e.g., stallholders, performers) may also need separate cover.
  • Start early: Some insurers offer instant quotes and same-day documentation, but it’s best to arrange cover well in advance.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Anything you want to know about the Big Sparks Project - just ask here and we will provide a response.

A total of £20,000 is available in each of the four neighbourhoods across the city, the fund will be designed and delivered by those that live, work and support residents across the city. 

The four areas are

East - 10th May 2025 - completed

East Central - 16th July - completed

West Central - 5th November

West - to follow, watch this space

Please note all questions* and answers are public and will be posted here, if you wish to ask us something that you would rather not have posted here just email one of the team in the "who's listening' section directly.

Please remember this is a public space, so please do not share any personal information about yourself.

  • Share Will there be funding under Big Sparks again please? on Facebook Share Will there be funding under Big Sparks again please? on X (formerly Twitter) Share Will there be funding under Big Sparks again please? on Linkedin Email Will there be funding under Big Sparks again please? link

    Will there be funding under Big Sparks again please?

    Status Education CIC asked 6 months ago

    We are launching the West round on 28 January for projects in that area. Although it has not yet been confirmed, we may also open a City‑wide submission round toward the end of March.

    For all updates, announcements, and further information, please keep following the Big Sparks Project Page, where everything will be posted.

  • Share Will the successful projects be made public? on Facebook Share Will the successful projects be made public? on X (formerly Twitter) Share Will the successful projects be made public? on Linkedin Email Will the successful projects be made public? link

    Will the successful projects be made public?

    MrsSunshine asked 12 months ago

    Thank you for asking.
    All successful projects that are awarded funding will be published on the Your Say Southend Project page. This ensures transparency and allows everyone to see which projects have been supported.

  • Share Can you let me know when the West application comes up as I work for Lady McAdden in Leigh on Sea. on Facebook Share Can you let me know when the West application comes up as I work for Lady McAdden in Leigh on Sea. on X (formerly Twitter) Share Can you let me know when the West application comes up as I work for Lady McAdden in Leigh on Sea. on Linkedin Email Can you let me know when the West application comes up as I work for Lady McAdden in Leigh on Sea. link

    Can you let me know when the West application comes up as I work for Lady McAdden in Leigh on Sea.

    Lady McAdden asked 7 months ago

    Thank you for your question.
    Applications for West will open in mid-January 2026. All the details, including how to apply and eligibility criteria, will be published on the Your Say Southend Big Sparks project page once the information is updated.

    Please keep an eye on the page for the latest updates.

  • Share Hi, how do we get advice on how to apply for funding please? on Facebook Share Hi, how do we get advice on how to apply for funding please? on X (formerly Twitter) Share Hi, how do we get advice on how to apply for funding please? on Linkedin Email Hi, how do we get advice on how to apply for funding please? link

    Hi, how do we get advice on how to apply for funding please?

    about 1 year ago

    ozelosman59

    Thank you for your question, please have a look at the guidance, as it provides information about the project and areas. There will be an Application Form shortly available on this page.

    application,apply
    application apply
Page last updated: 01 Jul 2026, 02:30 PM