06/03/2026
Delighted to be part of the team bringing this project to life.
🔔🔔and the next round begins.
Some of you may have seen today’s coverage in the Echo Essex about the Lifstan Boys & Girls Club EABGC redevelopment.
For those who stood with us during the campaign, you’ll know this project has always been about far more than bricks and mortar. 🧱
It’s about protecting over a century of youth provision built by generations of volunteers who believed young people in Southend-on-Sea deserved somewhere to belong.
When the future of the clubs was uncertain, the community stepped forward. Members, alumni, families, local leaders and supporters came together with one voice — and together we secured the reinstatement of funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport whose timely intervention ensured this vital project was pulled back from the brink 🥊
That moment didn’t mark the finish line. It marked the reset.
Since then, a full professional design team has been brought in, the scheme has been strengthened, and the redevelopment has progressed carefully through the early RIBA stages to ensure the project is delivered properly, responsibly and with long-term value for the community at the forefront of the scheme.
The new facility will serve young people across Bournes Green, Kursaal, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay and the wider Southend community — continuing and strengthening the vital work our clubs have done for over a century: building confidence, creating opportunity and giving young people structure, discipline and support.
With the planning application now submitted, the bell rings for the 2nd round- with Southend-on-Sea City Council taking the stool in the corner 🥊
We look forward to working positively with the council and bringing the scheme to life for the local community and the youth of our city-on-sea and remain grateful for the continued support shown by local leaders including Bayo Alaba MP and Cllr Matt Dent throughout this journey.
There is still a bundle of work to do — but thanks to the community that rallied around the club, the momentum is now firmly moving forward into the middle rounds.
💙🥊🥊💛