The challenges of coastal living
2nd August 2023
People who live in Essex have a precious asset within their reach, one of the longest coastlines in England. Stretching over 350 miles, the Essex coast embraces fascinating and historic towns and important countryside.
Living by the seaside can be idyllic, but for some it can pose challenges including isolation, a shortage of employment, lack of good transport links and sparse local services.
Charities based in areas such as Harwich, Clacton-on-Sea, Burnham-on-Crouch and Southend-on-Sea are helping to make life better for people in coastal communities in Essex.
Many such organisations are led by local volunteers, and their close involvement with the places they are based-in and serve, means they can understand and help meet local needs. Essex Community Foundation (ECF), an independent grantmaker, supports the work of these voluntary and community organisations, thanks the generosity of fundholders and donors who choose to give locally.
Someone who has a lifelong connection with the Essex coast and who has made a vast difference to the quality of life in his community is Peter Croysdill. More than two decades ago Peter set up the Southend Community Fund with his friend from childhood, Howard Briggs, a former mayor of Southend.
Their aim was to create a unique financial resource for the area, where local giving could be channelled to provide ongoing support for charities and community groups in Southend.
The Fund, managed by ECF, has grown steadily thanks to fundraising events, donations and support from local people. Since it was launched the Southend Community Fund has awarded almost £500,000 in grants. It also has an equivalent endowed amount which provides an ongoing source of funding.
Peter said: “The fund is such an asset for Southend, providing support for local charities and organisations. It is a legacy for the area, and I am proud of what has been achieved since it was set up.
“Working with ECF has been a great success, they can do all the checks to make sure that the money is spent correctly, where it is needed.
“The fund is run by a panel of local people who make decisions on the applications made to ECF for grants. Southend is a great place, but there are areas needing support and the grants can help these communities.
“We have been able to help many different charities, including the Balmoral Community Centre in Westcliff-on-Sea which desperately needed new windows. If we had not given this support, the many groups that use the hall would not have been able to meet. It is a real community hub and when we went back to visit the centre months later, the people there told us they were so delighted with the help given by the fund.
“The Fund has given grants to HARP, the charity for homeless people and to charities helping domestic abuse victims. We were also able to help SAVS, the council for local voluntary services, when their telephone system was breaking down. Without that grant they wouldn’t have been able to carry on.”
Peter, a community stalwart, who lives on the seafront, has recently taken the role of President of the Southend Community Fund. It is a fitting recognition for the vital contribution he has made in establishing such a resource to help his fellow citizens in the place where he has lived all his life.
His friend Howard Briggs has, due to declining health, had to move away from Southend to be closer to his family. But he and Peter can be assured that their vision of a stronger community will live on.
Among the local charities working in coastal areas in Essex who have received support from funds run by ECF are:
Chalkwell Lifeguards received a grant of £2,750 for their life-saving equipment. Anthony Martin, from Chalkwell Lifeguards, said: “The seaside is a very beautiful place, but due to the ever-changing tides and currents and fast changing weather conditions it can also be a very dangerous place.
“We provide a Beach Patrol and Rescue service to help keep residents and visitors to our new city safe when they are enjoying the beach and water along Southends foreshore. In recent years our club has become much more than a Lifeguard Patrol Unit, with our base at Chalkwell Shelter becoming also more of a Community hub to assist and serve all sections of the local community.
“Our Club and its volunteers support Southend Councils Beach Welfare Officer scheme and offer public information and water safety advice for people passing by and a constant First Aid service including a heart restart defibrillator which we have at our Club house at Chalkwell Shelter and also one that we take on cycle & foot patrols from Southend Pier to Bell Wharf at Leigh-on-Sea.
“Our Beach Welfare Officer volunteers also act as welcome hosts to residents and visitors during the summer months, we also offer local carers groups a place to meet, including those caring for loved ones with disabilities and a widow and widowers group. We also work closely with ‘Active Life’ for community yoga exercise sessions on the beach and also host litter picking events.”
Bradwell-on-Sea Community Shop is owned and run by members of the local community. A £6,000 grant helped to create a small self-service café area. The shop is now a focal point where local people meet. Rachael Smith, from the community shop said: “Our village shop faced an uncertain future when the former owner decided to sell-up. With our nearest supermarket over 10 miles away the shop played a vital role for the community and we could not be without it.
“Fortunately for the villagers the former owner Michael Baker, who opened the shop as a community store back in 2009, not only came up with the idea of a business owned by local residents but was also extremely benevolent in letting us purchase the property for a much-reduced price.
“In September 2014 the local community came together and raised nearly £45,000 through a shareholder scheme. That, together with a bank loan, meant we were able to make the purchase and keep the heart of our community alive. Every xcess we make from the shop goes either back into the store or the community.
“We have also been the recipients of generous funding including the grant from ECF. We are extremely grateful for all the support we have received. Today we employ a full-time manager to run the shop and Post Office, employ a 19-year-old from the village and we have over 30 fabulous volunteers who run the store on a shift basis, keeping the shop open seven days a week.”
Canvey Island is separated from the mainland of south Essex by a network of creeks and has a population of around 40,000. A lack of services locally was resulting in a rise in anti-social behaviour and alcohol and drug misuse among young people. Yellow Door Youth Club provides a vital service, and their Friday night youth club gives those aged 11 to 25 somewhere safe to go to spend their free time. It also offers a range of services focusing on improving health.
Harwich Connexions set up a mini-bus service in response to the isolation caused by a lack of local transport. It offers group travel for elderly people, those with disabilities or young people undertaking school outings. Over the past 19 years the service has grown to a fleet of seven minibuses and now a regular service to Colchester Hospital has been established thanks to a grant of £10,000.
Walton Community Centre received £5,000 from ECF to run a tech class to help elderly people get online so they can connect with family and friends to ease feelings of loneliness.
Shoeburyness Residents Association used a grant of £2,800 to install a solar powered “talking bench” on Shoebury East beach. Pre-recorded messages which change regularly are played for those who sit down while on a walk to encourage positive thinking.
If you care about your community and want to give back, contact Perry Norton at ECF to have a conversation on 01245 355947.