Smaller charities and community groups across Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk now have another opportunity to apply for funding as the Saffron Community Fund has reopened for applications.

What the Fund Supports

The Saffron Community Fund focuses on projects that support elderly people, children and young people, and environmental or green causes. Applications are open to charities, not-for-profits, and volunteer groups. Each application is assessed individually to ensure funding is allocated fairly.

Priority is given to organisations based near a Saffron Building Society branch, but the fund is open to eligible groups across Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk that are working to make a positive difference in their local communities.

Discover if there is a branch near you – here.

Why it Matters

Since its launch, the Saffron Community Fund (SCF) has awarded over £300,000 in grants to a wide range of causes, enabling grassroots organisations to deliver essential services and projects that strengthen local communities. Established by Saffron Building Society and managed in partnership with Essex Community Foundation, the fund ensures support is distributed fairly and where it can have the greatest impact.

In 2025 Saffron Building Society  reached a major milestone, with its endowment fund at ECF surpassing £1 million, well ahead of the five-year target set in 2023. 

This achievement means the Saffron Community Fund can now award around £50,000 each year to support local projects, charities, and initiatives across Essex. 

Claire Hunnable, Saffron’s Community Business Partner, explains:

“Our Fund is an essential source of funding for some of the smaller charities and community groups around our branches. We have developed a unique and important working relationship with Essex Community Foundation that ensure all grant decisions made by our panel are undertaken with expert guidance from them.“Every year we are amazed by the diversity of the applications and are always delighted to be introduced to groups we may never normally have been aware of. I also have the pleasure of meeting the people behind the projects and to see the amazing work that is happening all around our communities.”

Examples of Projects Recently  Supported by the Fund:

• Dance Network Association (DNA) – A dance charity supporting people living with dementia and Parkinson’s, as well as their carers, across Essex. They were awarded £5,000 towards the core running costs of the charity, helping to sustain their creative programmes and support for local people and families.
• Accuro (Care Services) – A charity supporting children, young people and adults with disabilities across West Essex. They were awarded £5,000 towards the delivery of Accuro Active, a programme of activity days and outings for adults aged 19+ with SEND in Uttlesford, helping to provide opportunities for social connection, independence and community participation.
• Red Kite Support – A charity supporting survivors of rape and sexual abuse across Hertfordshire and West Essex. They were awarded £10,200 towards the ongoing running costs of the organisation over two years, helping to provide a volunteer-led helpline and free trauma-informed therapy sessions for survivors.

Pictured below: participants enjoying an Accuro (Care Services) beach activity day and summer holiday activity programme.

Application Deadline:

Applications close Wednesday 25 November 2026.

Applications will be considered by the Saffron Community Fund panel at the end of January 2027, with funding decisions communicated shortly afterwards. We encourage groups to take this timeline into account when planning project start dates and activities.

How to Apply:

Could your charity or group be next?

If you would like to apply, please fill out the application form by Clicking here.

We always recommend getting in touch first to ensure you have the right guidance before submitting your application, to do so please contact our Grants Team using the contact information below. 

Get In Touch

• Call us on 01245 355947
• Click here to book a time slot to speak with a grants officer
• E-mail grants@essexcf.org.uk

Our mission is to create a culture of generosity and support inspiring charitable giving that provides vital funding to voluntary and community organisations working at the heart of our communities in Essex. 

Each year, we award grants to over 500 local organisations, supported by over 200 donors, fundholders and national schemes. These groups are meeting the real needs of their communities and making a lasting difference to local people. 

Why become a Trustee? 

Becoming a Trustee with ECF is an opportunity to use your skills and experience to make a meaningful impact across Essex. Our Trustees tell us they find the role deeply rewarding knowing they are utilising their expertise to help shape our work supporting hundreds of local causes that change lives. 

You’ll gain insight into the charity sector and work alongside like-minded people who are passionate about strengthening communities. 

Who we’re looking for 

We are currently recruiting for several voluntary Trustee positions.  

We’re looking to strengthen our Board by welcoming individuals with expertise in the following key areas: 

• Strategy and Financial Stewardship: investment or accountancy, including charity investment, business management, or finance to help our resources and grant making grow.
• Policy and Influence: health or government policy, campaigning or advocacy, to strengthen our voice at a time of continuous change. 
• Communication and Connection: marketing and communications, or strong community links, to help us attract new philanthropy and stay rooted locally. 

If you have experience in any of these areas and are looking for a meaningful way to give back, we’d love to hear from you. 

Your contribution could help us grow our impact and continue making a positive difference in our community, both now and in the future. 

We want our Board to reflect the diversity of the communities we support and particularly welcome interest and applications from Black, Asian and ethnic minorities, people under 40 years of age, people with disabilities, neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ people.    

This could be your first Trustee role, or you may already have experience. We offer a full induction, ongoing training, and a mentor scheme to support you during your first years. You’ll also have the opportunity to grow your skills and knowledge of the charity sector by contributing to our Board committees. 

Our Board meets four times a year, either in person or virtually. Trustee positions are unpaid, but reasonable expenses are covered. 

To Apply

For more information on the trustee recruitment process and how to apply click the link here: Trustee Recruitment Information 

Applications close on the 4 November. 

To Apply

The Fund is open to any community project,  group or charity across Essex with focuses linked to community safety. 

To apply,  Click here  and select High Sheriff’s Fund from the dropdown menu.

You can also call the Grants Team on 01245 355947 for more information. We always recommend getting in touch first to ensure you have the right guidance before submitting your application

We often talk about creating opportunities for young people, but opportunities only make a difference if they can be seen, accessible and supported. For many young people, particularly those facing disadvantage, the challenge is not simply whether opportunities exist, but whether they feel within reach. Confidence, belonging, trusted relationships and practical support can all play a role in helping young people recognise and take advantage of opportunities that might otherwise pass them by. Equally important is ensuring that the organisations and people around them work together, creating pathways that are clear, connected and accessible. 

These themes were explored at our recent CommuniTea event hosted at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground, home of Essex Cricket Club. CommuniTea is our networking and discussion series, designed to bring together charities, businesses, donors and public sector organisations to explore issues affecting communities across Essex. By creating space for open conversation and shared learning, the series aims to turn good intentions into meaningful community action. Bringing together representatives from across the county, the event  examined how communities can work together to create more opportunities and help young people thrive. The discussion focused particularly on the experiences of young people who are care-experienced or facing disadvantages, while recognising that many of the issues explored are relevant to young people more broadly. Through perspectives drawn from sport, education, youth work and lived experience, the conversation considered what helps young people succeed, what barriers can stand in their way and how different organisations can work together to provide effective support. 

One theme emerged consistently throughout the morning: the importance of having someone who believes in you. 

Olympian, World Champion and founder of Fatima’s UK Campaign, Fatima Whitbread MBE, shared reflections from her own experience of growing up in care and the impact that encouragement, opportunity and support can have on a young person’s future. 

Drawing on that lived experience, Fatima established Fatima’s UK Campaign to help improve outcomes for children in care and care leavers. The campaign works with charities, businesses, education providers and community organisations to create practical opportunities for young people, while encouraging a more joined-up approach to support. At its heart is a belief that no young person should face the transition into adulthood alone, and that collaboration can help create pathways into education, employment, independent living and a brighter future. 

Fatima Whitbread MBE said:

“CommuniTea was a wonderful opportunity to bring our Essex community together around something that truly matters: creating better futures for children and young people in care, and for care leavers.

Through Fatima’s UK Campaign, we are connecting businesses, charities and community partners to open real pathways into growing confidence, skills, employment, belonging and independent living.

That work continues with our Essex Super Hub on 18 November at Hatfield Place, bringing together more than 18 partners from education, housing, financial awareness, the NHS, mental health, Virtual School Heads, employers and local businesses. When we work together, we can ensure that care does not simply end at 18, and that every young person has the opportunity to thrive.” 

Alongside Fatima, panelists explored the different factors that help young people build confidence, develop aspirations and access opportunities. Daniel Feist, CEO of Essex Cricket Club and Essex Cricket Foundation, spoke about the role sport can play in developing life skills and creating a sense of belonging. Jamie Sawtell, CEO of Bar N Bus, highlighted the importance of trusted relationships, safe spaces and early intervention, while Shope Fashade from Anglia Ruskin University discussed the barriers that can prevent young people from accessing opportunities and the role education, mentoring and outreach can play in raising aspirations. 

The conversation also recognised that opportunities alone are not always enough. Young people can face barriers that make it difficult to see, access or take advantage of the support available to them. Creating meaningful change therefore requires more than individual programmes or initiatives; it requires organisations and communities to work together, ensuring support is connected and centred around the needs of young people. 

That was one of the reasons behind CommuniTea itself. While organisations often share similar goals, they do not always have the opportunity to come together, hear different perspectives and explore how they can work collectively to address challenges facing local communities. By bringing charities, businesses, donors, public sector representatives and people with lived experience into the same room, the event created space for conversations that may not otherwise have happened. 

Niamh Murphy, Fund Development Administration Officer at Essex Community Foundation, said:

“One of the most valuable things about CommuniTea is bringing together people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to have these conversations. When people hear different experiences and perspectives, it can deepen understanding, challenge assumptions and inspire action. That’s how stronger communities are built.” 

For ECF, creating those connections is an important part of its role. Alongside grantmaking, the Foundation works to bring together people, ideas and resources, helping organisations learn from one another and explore how they can respond to issues affecting communities across Essex. 

 

Gavin Benn, Director of Programmes and Partnerships at Essex Community Foundation, added:

“Young people need more than opportunities alone. They need people who believe in them, support they can access and organisations that work together around their needs. The challenge for all of us is how we create more of those opportunities and connections across Essex.” 

While the discussion focused on care-experienced young people, its message was broader. Opportunity is not simply about opening doors. It is about ensuring that young people have the support, confidence and connections needed to walk through them. 

As communities across Essex continue to respond to changing needs, the challenge is one that belongs to all of us. Whether through mentoring, volunteering, employment opportunities, community support or philanthropy, everyone has a role to play in helping young people build positive futures and ensuring they have someone who believes in them along the way.

A sense of belonging can begin in the simplest of ways. A conversation. A shared activity. A warm welcome. For many people, those everyday moments are the first steps towards feeling part of a community. 

National Inclusion Week (14–20 September 2026) celebrates the importance of creating communities where everyone feels welcomed, valued and able to participate. Across Essex, charities are helping make that happen every day, creating spaces for people to connect, build confidence and feel that they belong. 

The feeling of belonging is something many of us take for granted. Yet for others, barriers can make it harder to connect with the people and communities around them. Inclusion is about far more than simply being present. It is about feeling accepted, respected and able to take part in everyday life. 

While National Inclusion Week shines a spotlight on these issues, for charities across Essex, creating inclusive communities is a commitment that continues throughout the year. 

Essex Community Foundation (ECF) supports many of the charities and voluntary organisations helping communities across Essex thrive. Working with donors, businesses and charitable partners, it supports organisations rooted in the communities they serve. Over almost three decades, ECF has seen how local knowledge and trusted relationships help organisations respond to the needs of local people. The organisations featured here are just some of those supported by ECF, reflecting the many ways charities across Essex are helping people connect, participate and belong. 

Creating Opportunities 

For children and young people with disabilities, inclusion means having the chance to play, learn, make friends and develop confidence alongside others. It means creating opportunities that allow every child to reach their potential while giving families the support they need. 

BOSP (Brighter Opportunities for Special People) provides specialist activities, respite care and support for children and young adults with disabilities and complex needs across Essex. By creating safe, inclusive environments where young people can build friendships, independence and life skills, the charity helps ensure they are not defined by the barriers they face, but by the opportunities available to them. 

Jodie Connelly, Chief Executive Officer of BOSP, believes inclusion should never be treated as an occasional conversation. 

“Inclusion isn’t just a ‘nice’ to have and something we think about for one week of the year. I believe humans inherently want and need to belong, and have a sense of connection. Article 23 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child also cites the rights of a child with a disability to live a full and decent life and to play an active part in the community. We provide this at BOSP and see the life-changing difference our services make to the wonderful young people we support, their families and their futures.” 

For others, belonging begins with finding somewhere welcoming to go, meeting new people and taking part in shared experiences. 

Trust Links creates those opportunities through its Growing Together community gardens, where people come together through gardening, nature and shared experiences. These welcoming green spaces encourage people to build friendships, improve their wellbeing and rediscover confidence, purpose and connection. 

Matt King, Chief Executive Officer of Trust Links, sees that sense of belonging flourish every day. 

“At Trust Links, we see belonging grow every day in our Growing Together community gardens. These are safe, welcoming green spaces where people can connect with others and nature through meaningful activities, regardless of their background or circumstances. For many of the people we support, belonging means feeling accepted, valued and able to be themselves without judgement. By planting seeds, nurturing wildlife and caring for shared spaces together, people develop friendships, confidence and a sense of ownership and purpose. There is something profoundly hopeful about helping something grow, and in the process discovering that you too are a valued and valuable part of a community.” 

For some people, belonging begins with rebuilding life in a new community. 

Starting again in a new country can bring uncertainty, unfamiliar surroundings and language barriers. Finding opportunities to meet people, take part in local activities and feel accepted can make an enormous difference to rebuilding confidence and creating a sense of home. 

Refugee, Asylum Seeker & Migrant Action (RAMA) supports people as they rebuild their lives in Essex by providing practical advice, guidance and opportunities to connect with others. One initiative that demonstrates the power of inclusion is its dedicated refugee football team, where a shared love of the game brings people together regardless of language or background. 

Maria Wilby, Operational Lead at RAMA, explains why football has become such a powerful tool for inclusion. 

“Football is a unifying force that enables people with little shared language to communicate allegiance, passion and to engage with others both when playing or watching a match. At RAMA we have a dedicated Refugee football team who have been made welcome at venues across Colchester. A yearly friendly against the council adds to a sense of belonging and inclusion that players value. Knowing you have the right to join in is not to be underestimated.” 

Whether through specialist support, community gardens or a football team, each organisation reflects a different way of helping people feel connected to the communities around them. 

National Inclusion Week offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of inclusion, but for charities across Essex, that work continues every day. Through shared experiences, everyday acts of welcome and opportunities to take part, they are helping people build connections and feel part of the communities they call home.