Investing in Sheppey East's local priorities
Published
Tuesday 27 October, 2026
Updated
Tuesday 27 October, 2026
£20 million will be invested into projects that improve transport, health, youth services, safety and community spirit on the east of Sheppey.
Local feedback from more than 850 residents has helped shape what projects the Sheppey East Pride in Place board will prioritise as they work to improve the Island.
Pride in Place is a central government funded programme investing up to £5 billion across UK neighbourhoods.
Sheppey East can receive up to £20 million over 10 years from March 2027 to deliver the changes that matter most to local people.
The programme is deliberately community-led: local people decide the priorities, shape the plans and guide the funding, supported by Swale Borough Council and central government.
Following extensive engagement with residents five priorities were developed:
Transport and connectivity - reducing geographic isolation and upgrading everyday local journeys to make residents feel more connected
- Health and accessible services - tackling health inequalities by improving local access to integrated care, preventative initiatives and community support
- Young People - creating leisure facilities, safe spaces, tailored mentorship, and skill-building opportunities that empower the next generation to thrive locally
- Year-round community spirit - breaking seasonal patterns of isolation by embedding a year-round calendar of civic, cultural and community activity
- Community safety - creating secure, welcoming, and resilient public spaces where residents feel safe to live, work and socialise.
Garry Ratcliffe, Chair of the Pride in Place Sheppey East Neighbourhood board:
“We have spoken with so many people on the Island, listening carefully to the issues you face every day, the things you feel can improve, and where this money will be best spent.
“People made their priorities very clear; you wanted better public transport, access to healthcare, more spaces for young people to grow and thrive and to feel safe when living and visiting the Island.
“And the often-seasonal nature of the Island has also left many feeling isolated during winter, so we will also be focusing on creating community events year-round.
“The Neighbourhood Board will now discuss the types of projects we will look to fund that will best address your concerns and will then go back out into the community to get your feedback on our ten-year plan for this Pride in Place funding.”
Pride in Place is a partnership between the Neighbourhood Board, local government and the local MP, and aims to build stronger communities, thriving places, and to help communities take back control.
The board is chaired by Garry Ratcliffe and brings together residents, business owners, community volunteers and professionals from across Sheppey East, with backgrounds spanning education, healthcare, governance, the voluntary sector, business and the arts.
In line with the programme’s partnership model, the board also includes Kevin McKenna MP and a local ward councillor, working alongside community members and Swale Borough Council.
Kevin McKenna, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped shape these five priorities, thanks to your incredible insight we now have a clear plan for this funding which will truly address local’s concerns.
“We will continue to work closely with locals as we work to make a real difference on the Island, because ultimately the Pride in Place funding is yours, and will be going towards the projects you want to see.”
There will be a Halloween decoration making event for families, with Big Fish Arts.
This will provide free and fun activities for children during the half-term holidays and will be an opportunity for residents to find out more about the Pride in Place project.
Friday 30 October - 10am to 1pm - Eastern Community Hub (Old Police Station) Leysdown.
