Funding available for Southend community groups and charities

9th February 2022

Charities and community groups working in Southend-on-Sea are encouraged to apply to the Southend Community Fund for grants to support their work.

The Fund, is just one of 170 charitable funds that are managed by Essex Community Foundation.  Since it was set up 20 years ago, grants totalling over £400,000 have been awarded to a wide range of voluntary and community organisations that are providing vital help to people living in Southend-on-Sea.

Applications are assessed by ECF who then works with a panel of local people to help make decisions about which requests to support.

Among the recipients from previous years is Friends of Dolphin Court (Livability) who received £2,250 to buy a beach accessible wheelchair to help members of their residential care home to enjoy as much freedom as possible at the seaside.

Brenda Verrall, the retired Chair of Dolphin Court, said: “Having an all-terrain wheelchair is a brilliant addition to what we can offer our clients, and the Southend Fund’s generous contribution has meant we were able to buy it far sooner than would otherwise have been possible.”

She added, “Previously those who are wheelchair bound would have had to stay at the home and miss out on the beach fun. We are so grateful”.

Trust Links received £7,000 to set up a community shed project in Shoeburyness to help alleviate isolation and improve the mental health of residents.

Southend Foodbank were awarded £7,700 towards the salary of a project manager who has assisted with their expansion due to increased need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “We welcome applications for any charitable work that is improving the lives of local people in Southend-on-Sea and are particularly keen to hear from local organisations that have not applied to us before.

“We manage over 170 charitable funds that can give a wide range of support including core costs, project funding and community activities.  Our grants team are on hand to discuss your work, answer any questions you may have and help you to access the funds we have available”.

The deadline for this Fund was 5pm on Tuesday 15 March. Decisions will be made in May.

If you are a local voluntary or community organisation in need of financial support, please call us on 01245 356018.

Donations can be made to the Southend Community Fund by contacting ECF on 01245 355947.