Page 9 - Demo

9Occasionally, we can give a substantive grant to a project that will bring lasting, transformative change to local communities. This year, one such opportunity came when CHESS Homeless, a Chelmsford-based charity, set out to create a new modular housing development for people experiencing homelessness and vulnerability.The vision to create this, became a reality thanks to a grant of %u00a3427,418 from the William and Gladys Pudney Memorial Fund. The Fund, established in 2017, supports vulnerable people and housing related projects in Chelmsford and Writtle. This significant gift provided the cornerstone funding needed for CHESS Homeless to unlock additional support from the Government%u2019s Single Homeless Accommodation Programme (SHAP), ensuring the project could move forward.The new site, named Turning Point, was officially unveiled in April at a special event attended by Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex and Patron of ECF, alongside the Mayor of Chelmsford, the High Sheriff of Essex Julie Fosh, and representatives from Essex County and Chelmsford City Councils.Purpose-built and modular in design, Turning Point will provide safe and supportive accommodation for 24 individuals. More than shelter, it offers a vital foundation for people to rebuild their lives. Residents will have access to Supporting transformative changeBeing able to respond to needs in our local community is what makes a Community Foundation such an asset. The Pudney Fund has laid the groundwork, literally and figuratively, for a place that will change lives.Andy Payne Worpole, Director of Policy and ProgrammesA new client gets the keys to their new accommodation at Turning Point.Grant Fact: This year, we gave %u00a3596,163or 16% of our grants to support capital projects. counselling and mental health services, skills-based workshops, employment coaching, and healthcare, with a dedicated volunteer wellbeing team permanently based at the site.Claire Read, Partner at Knights plc Solicitors and executor of the Pudneys%u2019 estate said, %u201cWilliam and Gladys Pudney cared deeply about helping vulnerable people. It is wonderful to see their charitable wishes being fulfilled through their legacy and Fund with ECF.%u201dIt%u2019s been a long journey, but to see this vision come to life is overwhelming. The support we%u2019ve had, especially from the Pudney Fund, is genuinely life-changing. This is more than a housing site, it%u2019s a second chance for so many.For Rob Saggs, Founder of CHESS HomelessCHESS Homeless Turning Point accommodation.