CHAT is an enthusiastic group of diverse volunteers living or working locally that are passionate about heritage and what it means to people. We are locals that comprise a wide variety of people who represent various community and cultural groups in the area. Our discussions aim to shape participatory activities and deliver the kind of heritage projects that have real significance to residents. We are enthusiastic about exploring the diversely rich topics that reveal the value of lesser known community narratives, immigration and culture. In the last few decades, Thurrock has been home to many communities from the former colonies and East Europe. We are keen to create digital assets that reflect this - such as oral history collecting, anniversaries and events that mark and celebrate local connections which impact international histories.

We engage with local organisations by presenting ideas, community activities, events and projects to widen perspectives and possibilities for participants. We were instrumental in establishing the annual SALUTE! community festival in 2025 with Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre. With Thurrock libraries, we organised Black History Month film screenings and workshop activities. The After Windrush online gallery of local Caribbean oral histories project evolved out of these. We also recorded a series of Bata interviews with local community historian Mike Ostler.

We are always on the look out for enthusiastic locals to join us. Please email inquiries.chat@gmail.com if you are keen!