Environmental Activities

As part of our commitment to maintaining high environmental standards across Southend’s coastline, Southend City delivers and supports a programme of environmental education, community engagement, wildlife awareness and water safety activities.

These activities are delivered throughout the year in partnership with schools, community groups, volunteers, cultural organisations, conservation bodies and emergency services. They support greater understanding of Southend’s coastal environment and encourage residents and visitors to help protect and enjoy it responsibly.

1. Beach School programme

What we do

Southend City works with schools and the Council’s wider Culture and Tourism services to provide environmental education opportunities for children and young people.

The programme uses Southend’s beaches, Southend Pier, museums, galleries and other cultural and heritage venues as places for learning.

Activities focus on subjects including:

• Southend’s protected estuary and coastal environment

• Marine biodiversity and local wildlife

• Conservation and environmental responsibility

• Climate change

• Local heritage and civic pride

  
  

We also use creative approaches to environmental education, including art, music, performance and interactive activities, helping to make environmental subjects accessible and engaging for younger audiences.

The programme is designed to encourage children and young people to understand the importance of Southend’s natural and cultural environment and develop a sense of responsibility for its future protection.

Who we work with

The programme is primarily aimed at school-age children between six and 16, with opportunities promoted to schools both within Southend and across the wider region.

How activities are delivered

Activities are delivered through:

• Organised educational sessions and activities

• Southend Pier

• Museums and galleries

• Visitor information facilities

• Interpretation and information boards

• Online information and educational resources

Activities take place throughout the year, with increased activity between April and July.

How we promote it

Opportunities are promoted through Visit Southend, Southend City Council, Southend Pier and museum websites and social media channels, alongside posters, press activity and direct communication with schools.

2. Volunteer lifeguarding and beach welfare

What we do

Southend City supports local volunteer lifeguard organisations, including Chalkwell Lifeguards, in delivering activities which improve water safety and beach welfare across the city.

These volunteer-led organisations provide an important presence along Southend’s coastline and help residents and visitors understand how to enjoy the coast safely.

Activities include:

• Water safety awareness sessions

• First aid training

• Royal Life Saving Society water safety activities

• Canoeing and water-based safety sessions

• Public engagement at coastal safety events

• Support for beach welfare initiatives

• Participation in Beach Management Committee activity

Southend City also supports the promotion of volunteering opportunities to encourage new people to become involved in local lifesaving and beach welfare activities.

Who we work with

Activities are aimed at residents, visitors, watersports clubs, open-water swimmers and other people using Southend’s coastline.

How activities are delivered

Information and activities are provided through:

• Organised water safety and training sessions

• Coastal events

• Information boards

• Websites

• Social media

• Volunteer-led activities across the resort

How we promote it

Activities and volunteering opportunities are promoted through beach information boards, Southend City and partner websites, social media and the communication channels of participating organisations.

How to get involved

Visit the Chalkwell Lifeguards Facebook page.

3. Beach cleans and community engagement

What we do

Southend City supports regular community beach cleans across the city’s coastline. We work with residents, schools, community groups, businesses and other organisations to encourage participation and help ensure that beach cleans can take place regularly across different parts of the coast.

During the main season, beach cleans take place frequently, with organised activity supported throughout the year.

Our work includes:

• Supporting existing community beach clean groups

• Encouraging new volunteers to participate

• Helping groups organise their own beach cleans

• Providing practical guidance and resources for organisers

• Coordinating activity with the Council’s volunteering network and Beach Management Committee

• Encouraging schools and community organisations to take part

• Working with local businesses to encourage corporate volunteering and Corporate Social Responsibility activity

Beach cleans provide a practical way for people to improve the coastal environment while also helping to increase awareness of litter, marine pollution and individual responsibility for protecting the coastline.

Who we work with

Activities are open to a wide range of participants, including:

• Residents

• Schools

• Community groups

• Businesses and corporate volunteers

• Visitors

• Beach users

How activities are delivered

Beach cleans and related environmental activity are supported through organised events, volunteer-led activity, information boards and environmental awareness campaigns.

How we promote it

Activity is promoted through Southend City Council, Visit Southend and community organisation websites and social media channels, beach information boards and press activity.

How to get involved

Contact the Visitor Information Centre on vic@southend.gov.uk.

4. Wildlife awareness and coastal biodiversity

What we do

Southend City provides information and activities to help residents and visitors understand and appreciate the wildlife found around Southend’s coastline and the wider Thames Estuary.

A key focus is increasing awareness of Southend’s protected wetlands, coastal habitats and the variety of birds and marine species that depend upon them.

Our wildlife awareness activity includes:

• Wildlife information and interpretation

  Information about local wildlife and habitats is provided through interpretation boards and other signage at locations along the coastline. These explain the importance of Southend’s coastal environment and encourage responsible behaviour around wildlife and sensitive habitats.

• Wildlife Watch information

  Wildlife Watch guides have been produced to help visitors identify some of the wildlife that can be seen from Southend’s beaches and Southend Pier. The guides introduce local species and provide information designed to encourage responsible wildlife watching.

• Southend Pier wildlife rubbing trail

  An interactive wildlife rubbing trail has been introduced along Southend Pier. The trail features wildlife-themed designs based on species associated with the Thames Estuary and Southend coastline. It provides a family-friendly way for visitors to discover more about local wildlife while exploring the Pier.

• Events and activities

  Wildlife and environmental awareness is also incorporated into events and activities across the resort, particularly during the main visitor season.

• Digital awareness

  Visit Southend and other Council channels are used to share information about local wildlife, including migrating birds, seals, marine species and seasonal wildlife activity. Where appropriate, information also directs people towards specialist organisations including the RSPB, Essex Wildlife Trust and British Divers Marine Life Rescue for further advice and conservation information.

Who we work with

Wildlife awareness activity is intended for residents, visitors, families and all users of Southend’s beaches and coastline.

How we promote it

Information is shared through:

• Foreshore interpretation and information boards

• Visitor information facilities

• Visit Southend

• Southend Pier

• Southend City Council channels

• Partner and community organisation channels

• Social media

• Printed and digital wildlife information

How to get involved

Contact the Visitor Information Centre on vic@southend.gov.uk.

5. Water safety awareness

What we do

Southend City works with partner agencies to promote water safety and reduce the likelihood of incidents along the coastline. The campaign provides residents and visitors with practical information about enjoying Southend’s beaches and water safely.

Key messages include:

• Understanding tides and tidal conditions

• General beach and water safety

• Using appropriate equipment

• Staying safe when swimming or taking part in watersports

• Knowing what to do in an emergency

• Understanding the role of emergency and lifesaving services

Partner activity

We work with organisations and emergency services including the RNLI, Coastguard, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and local volunteer lifesaving groups. Joint activity has included public safety events, demonstrations, information sessions and opportunities for visitors to speak directly to emergency service and lifesaving personnel.

Pop-up water safety events

Water safety pop-ups are held at locations across the coastline during the main visitor season. These provide face-to-face advice and give residents and visitors the opportunity to learn more about tides, emergency procedures and safe use of the water.

Southend Pier and RNLI activity

Southend Pier has hosted RNLI activity giving visitors the opportunity to meet lifesaving personnel, learn more about their work and receive practical water safety advice. We also promote opportunities for the public to engage with RNLI activity at its onshore station.

Schools and community engagement

Schools and community organisations are encouraged to participate in water safety workshops and educational activity, helping younger audiences understand safe behaviour around the coast.

Online safety information

Water safety advice is shared through Visit Southend and Southend City Council websites and social media channels throughout the main season.

Digital information complements permanent safety signage and face-to-face activity along the foreshore.

How activities are promoted

Water safety activity is promoted through:

• Beach information boards

• Visit Southend

• Southend City Council channels

• Southend Tourism Partnership

• Southend Pier

• Partner organisations

• Tourism and accommodation businesses

• Social media

• Press releases

• Pop-up events and public engagement activity

How to get involved

Contact the Visitor Information Centre on vic@southend.gov.uk.

Working together to protect Southend’s coastline

These five activity areas form part of Southend City’s wider approach to environmental education and responsible coastal management. By working with schools, volunteers, community organisations, conservation bodies, tourism businesses and emergency services, we aim to provide residents and visitors with the information and opportunities they need to understand, protect and safely enjoy Southend’s coastal environment.