Leigh Road Baptist Church invites households, schools, churches, community groups & businesses to join “Streets of Light 2025”

Sign-up deadline extended to midnight Sunday 19 October – www.streetsoflight.co.uk

Households, schools, churches, community groups and businesses across Southend-on-Sea — and beyond — are being invited to take part in Streets of Light 2025, a creative community project spreading messages of Light, Love and Hope this autumn.

Now in its fifth year in our city, and supported locally by Leigh Road Baptist Church, Streets of Light encourages people to transform a window in their home, school, church or workplace into a beacon of positivity. The illuminated windows will shine each evening from Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, creating trails of hope throughout neighbourhoods.

This simple yet powerful idea began in Sheffield and has since grown into a nationwide movement, with hundreds of communities taking part each year. Participants decorate and light up their windows to share uplifting messages and inspire connection, creativity and kindness within their local streets.

“Streets of Light is a wonderful way to bring our communities together,” said a David Elcock, Community Worker for Leigh Road Baptist Church. “It’s open to everyone — people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs. Whether you live in Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, another part of Essex, or anywhere in the UK or beyond, you can take part and shine some light, love and hope in your neighbourhood.”

Why take part?

• Build community connection — Walk, cycle or drive around and spot themed windows in your neighbourhood
• Create a positive counter-narrative — Offer an alternative to darker themes associated with Halloween, using Light, Love or Hope as anchor words
• Inclusive & creative — You can be as simple or imaginative as you like, provided your display includes one of the key words (Light, Love or Hope)
• Publicity & visibility — All participant windows will appear on online trail maps (available from 23 October) to help people locate displays in your area

How to get involved

• Sign up now at www.streetsoflight.co.uk – deadline extended to midnight Sunday 19 October 2025.
• Choose your location – home, school, church, business or community venue.
• Design your display – include at least one of the key words: Light, Love or Hope.
• Light it up each evening from 5:30pm to 9pm – 25 October to 2 November.
• Explore the trails – maps showing all participating windows will go live from 25 October.
• Everyone who signs up will have their location (not full address) featured on an online map, allowing others to follow the trail and enjoy the displays safely.

Whether it’s fairy lights in a front window, a bold handmade design, or a creative school project, every window adds to the glow of encouragement that Streets of Light brings each year.

Leigh Road Baptist Church is proud to promote Streets of Light in Southend-on-Sea.

Find out more and sign up today at www.streetsoflight.co.uk

Let’s make this autumn the brightest yet — together sharing Light, Love and Hope across our city and beyond.