London Thames Gateway
Covering approximately 70 km along the River Thames from Canary wharf through the river ports of Thurrock, Medway and Sheerness, as far as Southend in South Essex and Sittingbourne in North Kent the Thames Gateway is the largest regeneration area in Europe.
As the only sub regional voluntary sector organisation in the London Thames gateway region, ELN joined forces with the Thames Gateway London Partnership and a consortium of voluntary sector organisations to hammer out how the third sector can contribute to the opportunities offered by Thames Gateway. These opportunities continue to include economic development, social inclusion, equality, health and sustainability and our aim is to capitalise on these important priorities through a world class, highly qualified workforce.
The results of the collaboration were two influential reports: Developing a World Class Third Sector Workforce in East London and A Strategy for Building a World Class Third Sector in London Thames Gateway, examining how the third sector could address skills gaps and shortages, build its capacity to deliver public services and benefit from planned developments in east London.
The participants recognised the strength of the third sector in advising and co-ordinating partnerships, designing and delivering services, advocating on cohesion and connecting with communities.
It is well placed to support people to access the 12,000 new jobs and 70,000 volunteering opportunities planned for east London by 2012 and to foster community engagement and cohesion.
The need for a sub-regional strategic voluntary sector organisation having a ‘view of what funders want from the sector, whilst keeping a balance between local and Regional provision in particular areas’ was highlighted.
In response to the recommendations ELN published its Manifesto for Developing Sustainable Communities in the London Thames Gateway, with four thematic areas:
- Engagement
- Community Development
- Premises
- Skills development
It is these four key areas that we believe will form the foundation of a sustainable voluntary and community sector in the London Thames Gateway.
Find out more about the London Thames gateway:
The Thames Gateway – where next?
A prospectus for the Future of the London Thames Gateway.
Thames Gateway: Area Overview and Development