Bluewater aims to be a good neighbour and support local community development.
Since Bluewater has been open, many events, initiatives and issues have helped us interact with the community and to understand how we can work together for the benefit of all.
Community Days
Teams of people from Bluewater have volunteered their time and energy over a number of days since Bluewater opened to help refurbish buildings and gardens in the local community. Local charities that have benefited from these 'Community Days' include the Bridge Court Resource Centre for the Disabled in Dartford, Stone Parish Fete and the Helen Allison School for people with autism in Gravesend.
Bluewater 10K Run - June 5th 2011
Bluewater, welcomed thousands of runners who took part in the headlined sponsored 'Gatorade 10k' and 'The Kent Messenger Group 2k' runs. The race raised in excess of £3,000 for the official charities, DGSM Your Choice and the Dartford and Crayford Sea Cadets. The Gatorade 10k race was started by The New Mayor of Dartford, Eddy Lampkin, after giving words of encouragement to the runners. This year's 5th race birthday celebration saw International 400m Gold Medallist Iwan Thomas taking part in the Gatorade 10k alongside over 2,400 participants, VIP competition winners and fun runners, hoping to beat his race time.
Olympic Athlete Iwan Thomas said: “What an amazing day, I am so lucky to be at Bluewater for this great event and run alongside so many people enjoying the Gatorade 10K! This event proves how popular running is across all levels and everyone should be very proud of their achievement today!”
Over 300 Children and parents were joined by Captain Jim from Pirates Cove Adventure Park and popular Build – A – Bear characters Bearamy and Pawlette, who started the 2K race within the 50 acres of lakes and parkland at Bluewater. Corey De'Ath was first across the finishing line with an amazing record of winning 4 years in a row, Yemaya Philips-Smith was the first girl to finish.
Stone Parish Fete
Bluewater joined the carnival at the Stone Parish Fete on Sunday 4th July 2010. Bluewater sponsored the Stone Parish 'Club Tropicana' Fete, the event was a great success with lots of sunshine, entertainment and activities for families to enjoy.
Kent Ambulance NHS Trust
As part of the community we are pleased to be working in partnership with Kent Ambulance NHS Trust, which now has an ambulance base at Bluewater.
This will reduce emergency response times to Kent Thameside and the service will also benefit from the provision of mobile defibrillators on site.
The 24-hour ambulance base is next to the police station at Bluewater, which is around 1 km from the new Darent Valley Hospital. This is an important project for the whole community and also gives Bluewater much better access to paramedics.
Mosaic Gallery
The past, present and future of our region can be seen by visiting Bluewater's Mosaic Gallery in the Village Crescent. The Gallery is in the tunnel under the ring road between John Lewis and House of Fraser.
Here you'll find some strikingly colourful mosaics designed by children from local schools and transformed by Kent-based artist, Oliver Budd. Nine participating schools submitted drawings, with one winning entrant being selected from each.
This cheerful display of designs is a permanent exhibition of young local talent and a reminder of our heritage, forming a unique attraction that all Guests can enjoy.
Biodiversity
A biodiversity study area is being created for local schools to utlilise, including disabled access and wildlife monitoring areas.
If you would like to become involved in future Community Days or other community projects, please contact Bluewater Management on 0870 777 0252.