Sixteen local creatives and organisations have been awarded funding to develop their work and strengthen the town’s growing creative scene throughout the rest of 2025.
From artists and makers to community organisers and cultural entrepreneurs, the recipients reflect the breadth of talent and ambition found across Northfleet today.
The funding is part of the Northfleet Place Partnership—a programme to support people, spaces and creative ideas across the town. The partnership is nurturing homegrown local talent by helping individuals, businesses and organisations develop their work at all stages of their creative journey. It is a collaboration between Gravesham Borough Council, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation and Creative Estuary—the creative development agency for the Thames Estuary.
Caggy Kerlogue, Creative Assets & Place Manager at Creative Estuary, said: “Northfleet is brimming with creative energy, and this inspiring group of local people represent the depth of talent across our diverse communities. These grants will support local creative people and projects, and through this investment we are building a thriving and inclusive creative economy in Northfleet”.
3. Surface design by Matthew Lorcan Davies. Matthew has been awarded a Creative Development Grant. He will use this grant to further explore his fashion brand, specialising in sportswear
The awarded grants span three key funding streams:
Creative Impact Grants
Awarded to support established organisations and programmes in expanding their reach and cultural impact:
- Blueprint Arts – Layers of Life Project
- No Wall's Garden – Community spaces revamp
- Cement Fields – Ebbsfleet Citizens Archive
- Mona Whitton – Mixed media workshops for Northfleet Carnival float
Creative Enterprise Grants
Awarded to creative entrepreneurs and businesses, alongside mentoring and skills development support:
- Abolore Sobayo – Jelosimi Art Centre
- Kristina Smith – Ark Heritage and Jewellery
- Natasha Osei - Talent management and marketing agency
- Ulla Tervo – Architect promoting Healthy Buildings
Abolore Sobayo has been awarded a Creative Enterprise Grant. He will use this grant to broaden his creative practice and workshop offer at the Jelosimi Art Centre, established by Abolore himself.
Creative Development Grants
Awarded to individuals to kickstart or develop their creative practices:
- Harriet Hammond – Jewellery design and silver sculpture
- Mandy Hudson – Printing and etching
- Matthew Lorcan Davies – Sportswear and outdoor equipment designer
- Yasmine Flowers - Ceramics
- Jonathan Sinou - Photography
- Steven Knowles – Mixed media
- Precious Okungbowa – Content creator and presenter
- Robin Dixon - Painting
Precious Okungbowa has been awarded a Creative Development Grant and will be using the grant to invest in greater recording and camera equipment to improve her content creation and presenting business.
The awarded projects span a diverse range of creative activities and ambitions. Grantees will be using the funding to enhance their professional practice through skills development, new equipment, and community engagement. This includes establishing businesses in jewellery design, garment creation, printmaking, and pottery; purchasing high-quality materials and tools to elevate the value and sustainability of their work; and building digital platforms to increase visibility and sales. Others will use the funding to deliver creative workshops, host community events such as artisan markets, and expand cultural archives and storytelling initiatives with local schools. Projects also aim to combat social isolation, improve access to creative spaces, and build stronger networks among local creatives.
Cllr Deborah Croxton, Gravesham Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Community and Leisure commented: “We're proud to celebrate and support these individuals and organisations, each contributing something unique to Northfleet’s creative future. This programme brings real, lasting investment into our communities and recognises the incredible potential already here.”
Kevin McGeough, Head of Strategy and Placemaking at Ebbsfleet Development Corporation said: “Ebbsfleet Development Corporation is thrilled to be part of a dynamic partnership with Creative Estuary and Gravesham Borough Council, working together to support and attract creative talent to Northfleet. Through combining our investment and expertise we have been delighted to realise the value and additionality our collaborative approach can bring.”
Jo Cowan, Cultural Development Manager at Ebbsfleet Development Corporation said: “I have been greatly encouraged by how the Place Partnership collaboration with Creative Estuary and Gravesham Borough Council has enabled a grants scheme which will not only propel creative and cultural growth but has also revealed the remarkable depth of talent already within Northfleet. This talent underlines the community's potential to shape a lasting creative legacy. We look forward to the exciting programme of creative activity happening throughout this year.”
As part of the programme’s next phase, a series of commissioned community cultural events will take place across Northfleet in 2025, activating key Northfleet locations and showcasing the work and talents of the grant recipients. A further round of Creative Development Grant awardees will also be announced in the near future.
To find out more information about our awardees please visit: https://www.creativeestuary.com/insight/northfleet-place-partnership-programme-awardees/