Shared Space Information

Over 15 years ago, Shared Space was founded as a bridge the gap between communities, bringing people together, and providing support to those who needed it most, today funded entirely through grassroots fundraising, given straight back into the local area. We've grown well beyond our own expectations since. We proudly manage two sites in Westcliff-on-Sea and Southchurch, and we're now looking to grow further across Essex, with the ambition that every corner of the county has its own Shared Space, rooted in its own community. What makes us different: we don't back a single cause. Every shop supports any meaningful cause within 3 miles of where it opens. Over the years, we are proud to have achieved: → Nearly 1,000 volunteers were supported and welcomed into our community → Over £200,000 raised and distributed directly back into the local community → Founders of the Southend Emergency Fund, raising over £1,000,000 during and since COVID-19 → Founders of the Southend Refugee Programme, welcoming refugees into the organisation to build connections locally → Annual work experience placements with local schools → Supporting over a hundred ex-offenders through rehabilitation opportunities → Partnerships with organisations like Welcome to the UK and churches across Essex → Distributing £1,000 every month to causes throughout Southend and beyond Follow along, and if you're a Southend business who wants to be part of what's next, we'd love to talk.