Three Brentwood-based charities receive funding boost
5th June 2023
Three Brentwood-based charities have been recognised for the incredible work they carry out in the community.
To help them continue their missions, REACH, SNAP and the Lighthouse Furniture Project have been awarded grants by the Saffron Community Fund.
Set up by the Saffron Building Society 11 years ago, the fund is run in partnership with Essex Community Foundation (ECF) and supports not-for-profit organisations across Essex, Suffolk, and Hertfordshire.
Claire Hunnable, from Saffron Building Society, said: “It is truly humbling to meet the everyday heroes that commit their time and energy into running organisations like REACH, SNAP and the Lighthouse Furniture Project.”
REACH provides high-quality assessment and rehabilitation programmes, using trained horses, for adults and children suffering from physical, mental, social and/or learning disabilities.
Beth Lovell said: “We work hard to provide a bespoke service to our clients, helping those with physical and learning disabilities, mental health challenges, and those finding it hard to access mainstream education – and horses are at the core of everything we do.
“Our centre provides a natural environment and an alternative learning experience for those not wanting the pressure or confines of a classroom. We have happy ponies, happy staff, happy volunteers, and ultimately happy participants, and want to be able to help more people in the future. This means we are constantly looking at ways to fundraise to keep our charity going. Being a not-for-profit and having horses to pay for is a difficult challenge so we appreciate any help, however great or small.”
SNAP is a charity for families with children and young people who have any additional needs or disabilities. More than 3,800 families across Essex are accessing SNAP.
Callum Boath said: “SNAP has been supporting Essex families who have children with any additional need or disability for almost 30 years. All money raised helps us to continue to provide vital services including a very busy helpline, specialist parent talks, counselling, support and advice from our team of Family Support Advisers as well as a variety of activities, therapies and clubs for children and young people.
“It is only through the support of the local business community as well as our other fundraisers that we can continue to be there when families need us most.”
The Lighthouse Furniture Project is a charity serving communities in Essex by providing low-cost, reused furniture and electrical appliances.
Jackie Rayner said: “The Lighthouse Furniture Project works hard in the community to provide new and refurb goods to people in need. We works with others to provide food parcels and the relevant items to make a house a home. With a bed to sleep in, somewhere to wash their clothes and something to cook a meal with, it gives a person or family the starting blocks to build a future.”
The Saffron Community Fund is, for the first time, opening its grant applications twice this year. For more information or to apply for the next round of funding, click here.