It started with reclaiming the river – Simon’s story

Much of it was hidden behind fences and forgotten docklands. As the city around it began to change fast, Simon thought about what would happen to places like this. He also wondered what would happen to the people who felt connected to them, when development took over.

That thought would eventually lead to Cody Dock, a community-led project supported by the Climate Action Fund (CAF). CAF supports communities across the UK to act on climate change and involve more people in environmental action.

Seeing what others were missing

In the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics, East London was changing fast. New developments appeared quickly, but access to the river quietly disappeared.

For Simon and a small group of local residents, this didn’t sit right. The river was being treated as thought it was empty or expendable. They knew it was an asset with deep ecological, social and cultural value.

So, they started small and practical. Together, they reopened access to a neglected dock site, clearing it by hand and inviting others to get involved. What began as a simple act of reclamation quickly became something much bigger.

Letting the community lead

Simon had spent most of his career working behind the scenes. His background in arts and heritage meant he knew how to shape spaces and enable other people’s ideas to thrive.

Those skills proved essential when Cody Dock began to grow. In 2011, Simon co-founded the charity Gasworks Dock Partnership. This charity would lead the project’s long-term vision in creating the conditions for communities to take part and take ownership.

Residents, volunteers, schools and local groups helped regenerate the site. This unlocked miles of riverside paths that had been inaccessible for years.

As the project evolved, a citizen-led ecology model emerged. Local people began to record wildlife, restore habitats and gather evidence about what lived and thrived along the River Lea.

It was not only about collecting data. It was about building confidence, trust and giving people a real say in how their environment changed.

Simon lives and works in Newham, an area that has lower engagement with arts and heritage. He was clear that Cody Dock had to feel welcoming, local and open to everyone.

Working with change, not against it

Support from CAF came at a pivotal moment. It enabled Cody Dock to grow its impact and work with developers and local authorities, rather than in opposition to regeneration.

CAF funding supported citizen science programmes, youth and schools engagement and the Living Lea initiative. This helped the team gather robust ecological data and influence planning decisions.

This project uses phased habitat replacement, bat-friendly lighting and community-maintained green spaces. It shows that development and biodiversity do not need to conflict. This is something Simon is incredibly passionate about.

Growing something that lasts

Today, Simon works closely with developers and local authorities to make sure new buildings fit well with nature. Cody Dock continues restoring habitats along the tidal River Lea. It’s also creating a wildlife corridor through the city.

Cody Dock’s approach has helped change how councils and developers think about nature in cities. Researchers have now recorded more than 1,000 species where little was known before. This information is helping to shape planning policy and developer behaviour.

Thousands of residents, volunteers and schoolchildren have taken part. They’ve learned new skills, built stronger community ties and improved their wellbeing. What started with one person noticing a river has grown into a strong model for community-led regeneration in London and beyond.

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We support environmental projects of all shapes and sizes. We offer grants from £300 up to £20,000 through our open Awards for All programme to grants over £500,000 through our Climate Action Fund. Find out more about environment funding in your area and apply