en.Wedoany.com Reported - The UK's Lower Thames Crossing has invested nearly £2 million in local community projects during the construction of the new road, aiming to create a lasting positive legacy for communities across the region.
The "Stitching Stories" project, initiated by the charity Blueprint Arts Foundation, is creating a collaborative tapestry inspired by local history and experiences. The project coincides with the return of the Bayeux Tapestry to Kent this September—the first time in nearly a thousand years that the tapestry has been back in the UK. Led by a professional artist, the project will work with community groups of all ages in Gravesham. Participants will learn simple textile techniques while creating a piece of tapestry reflecting their village's identity and stories. Each individual piece will be assembled into a complete artwork, first exhibited in Gravesend and then toured across communities in the borough, to enhance local pride, celebrate shared heritage, and build connections among residents.
Roads and Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said the government's significant investment in the Lower Thames Crossing will help local communities by easing congestion in Dartford and creating new opportunities, while also supporting local causes that genuinely improve people's lives.
Katherine Jary, Operations Manager at Slide Away, said the organization is delighted to receive funding from the Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund to support bereaved children referred from schools in the region. They hold monthly group sessions in Meopham, Gravesham, providing a safe space for these children to understand and express their emotions, preserve memories, and cope with difficult days. To ensure these children are well supported in both their existing and new communities, they also support adults by working with schools and involving parents or caregivers in group activities.
Katharina Ferguson, Sustainability and Supply Chain Director at the Lower Thames Crossing, said they are committed to being good neighbors, and it is an honor to support a range of different projects run by dedicated volunteers with the shared goal of improving local well-being.
In Kent, 15 charities and community groups in the region have received cash grants of up to £10,000 from the Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund. Each grant will improve the quality of life in local communities by enhancing skills and employment, improving mental health and well-being, and helping people connect locally. Other beneficiaries include Cliffe Woods Community Association, for hosting an accessible village fete, and Slide Away. Moving Memory Dance Theatre, based in Gravesend Library, also received funding to support people aged 55 and over through activities aimed at improving well-being and reducing loneliness. Applications for the Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund are assessed by a panel comprising local authorities, community representatives, National Highways, and the Kent Community Foundation. The next round of funding will open for applications in early 2027.
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