Rainbow Services Helping Charities Thrive In Harlow
22nd September 2025
For more than two decades, Rainbow Services has been a lifeline in Harlow – championing people, supporting charities, and driving change to tackle disadvantage, deprivation, and social exclusion.
Since 1999, the charity has delivered imaginative projects that bring people together, create opportunities, and strengthen the town’s sense of community. Along the way, Rainbow Services has received nearly £400,000 in grants from Essex Community Foundation (ECF), funding that has played a vital role in helping the charity thrive and grow.
Sharon Summerfield, CEO at Rainbow Services, said: “The support we have received from Essex Community Foundation has enabled us to keep expanding our mission to alleviate poverty, disadvantage, and social exclusion, ensuring that no one in Harlow is left behind. Their funding has helped us adapt to new challenges while continuing to deliver projects that bring real and lasting change to our community.”
ECF’s partnership with Rainbow Services has enabled the charity to deliver life-changing projects, including:
- £5,360 to extend a recycling workshop for young people at risk of exclusion from school.
- £4,158 to purchase new machinery and equipment for a recycling workshop
- £9,580 to continue running the Rainbow Family Contact Centre, which helps separated families maintain positive relationships with their children.
Rainbow Services’ reach is wide and varied, touching the lives of residents of all ages. Their projects include:
The Community Builder Project – reducing isolation by supporting older residents to create social clubs, enjoy day trips, and access health and wellbeing services.
The Community Hub – a partnership with Citizens Advice Harlow and Harlow Foodbank, offering practical support for those in crisis alongside volunteering opportunities, energy advice, and health checks.
Support for Local Groups – free advice and guidance for not-for-profit organisations, helping small grassroots groups grow and established charities thrive.
Youth Project – re-engaging young people through hands-on carpentry training, accredited qualifications, and mentoring to inspire brighter futures
Our Health Matters – connecting residents to essential healthcare and empowering them to make positive changes to their lives.
Place Partnership Expansion – an exciting programme launched by Sport England to revitalise local communities through physical activity, movement and sport.
Frankie Webb-Huseyin ECF Grants Officer after a recent visit to Rainbow Services said “Rainbow Services is a clear example of good hyper-local support and service provision. They work collaboratively with other local organisations within Harlow and across West Essex to provide the services most needed by their community.”
As Rainbow Services looks to the future, its vision remains clear: to keep working for change in Harlow by building stronger connections, sharing resources, and finding better ways to support local people and organisations.