Thomas Turrell AM visits Active Thames grant recipient Re-Instate

Re-Instate, in partnership with the PLA, are proud to have hosted London Assembly Member and London Assembly Conservative Group Spokesman for Environment, Thomas Turrell (Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley) last week (9 May). When the 2025 Active Thames grant recipients were announced, Thomas got in touch with the PLA and was keen to visit and hear about their work.

Re-Instate is a charity that offers employment, quality of life and well-being services to people suffering mental health issues, SEND, and neurodivergent individuals in the London Borough of Bexley. Out of their two locations in the borough they support a range of individuals with varying and sometimes complex needs.

On the day, Re-Instate delivered a presentation. Simon Hart (CEO, Re-Instate) covered the over 60-year history of the charity and discussed the services provided by Re-Instate. Sharing the impact Re-Instate has on its members and its ongoing commitment to improving the lives of SEND and autistic individuals, and those struggling with mental health. Simon also took the chance to highlight the challenges that small charities face, especially in relation to funding.

Zoe Sinclair (Community Hub Manager, Re-Instate) presented the busy weekly timetable of the Living Well project, based out their West Street Hub. Ellen De Brito-Morris (Living Well Co-ordinator, Re-Instate) followed, explaining how the £5,000 awarded by the Active Thames partnership will support their Living Active programme - a walking and educational project using walks as a starting point to create an arts project tracking the Thames Path through the seasons. This will culminate in an exhibition held at the Re-Instate Community Hub in Autumn 2025, and will include photographs, paintings, drawings, collages, and poetry.

After a walk along the Thames Path with Zoe, Ellen and members of Re-Instate, participants talked about the programme and Re-Instate’s work to inject pride of place amongst its members. Attendees also discussed the river as a natural environment and the importance of protecting and preserving natural resources, like the Thames.

The visit was a fantastic opportunity to show decision-makers the impact that projects that promote physical activity in blue and blue-green spaces have on mental and physical well-being.

“The visit was great fun, and a wonderful opportunity so see some of the incredible work Re-Instate are doing for local people in Erith. The members enjoyed coming along on the walk and getting to show off the work they do with pride! There would not a London without the Thames, so it is fantastic to see the wonderful work being done with the Port of London Authority and the Active Thames fund, and to see how the river can be used to inspire Londoners and improve the life-chances of those from disadvantaged backgrounds.” - Thomas Turrell (Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley)

 “I really enjoyed the visit, and I found it really fun walking with others.” - Charlotte Drayner (Member)

“The visit was great fun, and a wonderful opportunity so show what we do here at Re-Instate. The members enjoyed coming along on the walk and getting to show off the work they do with pride!” - Ellen De Brito-Morris (Living Well Co-ordinator)