Through our grantmaking over the last 11 years,we know that the smaller grants, spent over a year, have a significant impact on the lives of the local community.We also recognise the importance of long-term strategic grants and over recent years the Foundation has had the opportunity to be part of the Fair Share programme, which has an impact on a much larger scale.
The Big Lottery launched Fair Share in 2002 in response to concerns that some areas were not getting their fair share of Lottery funding.To redress this, 81 areas across the UK were identified to receive their share of £50 million over 10 years, with the aim of making a lasting impact on the lives of disadvantaged people. When it was launched, this programme was, and remains, one of the Lottery’s most ambitious initiatives to date.
Community Foundation Network manages the Fund nationally and works with local community foundations, like Essex, to deliver the programme in their allocated areas.
In 2003, two areas in Essex were identified to receive Fair Share funding. These were West Clacton, including Jaywick in Tendring District, and Fryerns East, Craylands and Queen’s Park in the Basildon District.
Both areas were allocated just under £1 million to be spent over the next 10 years on projects which would enhance the lives of local people and the environment in which they were living.
Basildon Fairshare Project Video Evaluation In this video the Basildon Fairshare Residents Panel demonstrate and evaluate the changes that the project help them make to their local community . |
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| Fairshare Project Basildon - Video Evaluation |
Big Lottery recognised, from the start, the importance of community participation, and so one of the requirements of the Fair Share programme is that local people are involved, and work with the Community Foundation to agree priorities in their areas, identifying projects which should receive funding. A recent evaluation of the way in which community foundations work with panels has shown, that by involving people from funded projects and local residents,we have created a unique approach that ensures a really positive response from the community.
Fair Share in West Clacton,Tendring
West Clacton has a population of around 38,000 and is identified as an area of disadvantage and deprivation. In particular, Jaywick, with a population of nearly 5,000 is recognised as the third most deprived area in England and Wales.
To date the Tendring Fair Share panel members have spent £405,167 on projects which have addressed the needs of young people, families, skills and unemployment.
"...It has kept me out of Jail..."
One organisation receiving funding is Inclusion Ventures which works with young people to reduce anti-social behaviour, exclusion and truancy from school. Inclusion Ventures has been working in Clacton since 2004 and started in response to the lack of support and guidance for young people in the area. They report that ‘75% of youngsters we come across experience violence’.
They will receive £125,000 over three years to develop their work across West Clacton and in particular Jaywick, by providing drop-in sessions, counselling and support, a range of activities and, when necessary, signposting to other groups in the area.
One young person who has benefited from Inclusion Ventures sums up the difference that this organisation is making to the individual lives of young people.“Before the project started I was bored, out causing trouble, smashing windows and feeling sad”. Now he says “I feel really happy, off drugs, it’s kept me out of jail and and I have better manners and am more polite.
A recent evaluation of the impact of Fair Share across West Clacton confirms that Fair Share, Tendring has increased the level of services and activities available to some of the most disadvantaged people. A playground has been built, 5 day a week activity groups have been developed for young people experiencing difficult circumstances in both West Clacton and Jaywick, a Princes Trust “Get into” project has been created for people not in education and training, and a support and resource centre is encouraging people in Jaywick back into employment.
Panel Member, Sharon Alexander from Tendring CVS said “The panel is really committed to supporting and developing the programme over the next three years.We have great ideas for the future and are looking forward to continuing our work in West Clacton and Jaywick.”
"Fairshare changed my life"
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Fairshare in Basildon and Billericay
Fryerns East, Craylands in Basildon and Queen’s Park in Billericay are all identified as areas of diverse issues and real need.To date the Basildon Fair Share panel members have spent £226,282 on projects which have addressed learning and skills and community empowerment.
Tendring Fairshare Project Video Evaluation In this video the Tendring Fairshare Residents Panel demonstrate and evaluate the changes that the project help them make to their local community . |
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| Fairshare Project Tendring - video Evaluation |
One of the main weaknesses identified by the panel at the start of the programme was the lack of someone who could be the “link”between people in the community and events and services in the area. In 2005 Artak Poghosyan was appointed as Community Development Worker and he has worked tirelessly alongside local residents to help solve some of the issues in their areas.He has provided training for local residents in producing newsletters, which are now in regular circulation, he has arranged various community events, helped the community to save a local bus service and organised community clear up days where skips are provided for waste so that local people can be involved in tidying up their community.
Artak has certainly proved himself worthy of the role he undertakes and the Fair Share Panel are very pleased with the results that have so far been achieved.Together they will be planning the priorities in the area over the next three years.
