Life on the ocean wave
26th April 2024
Each month we feature stories in Essex Life Magazine about our funds, the support they are giving to local communities and local charities that are benefiting. This month our theme is ‘water’ and here we highlight how water-based activities and sail-training opportunities are helping young people to build skills and self-confidence.
People of all ages across Essex are in their element in and near water, as the county can boast one of the longest coastlines in England, spanning 350 miles from Tilbury to Harwich. This wonderful asset means that a wide range of water-based activities and outdoor pursuits are within reach.
Such activities not only bring huge benefits in terms of health and wellbeing, but they can also help improve confidence and skills and provide endless hours of fun.
One such initiative is sail-training on Duet, a 15-metre iconic gaff-rigged yawl operated by the Cirdan Sailing Trust based at Bradwell on Sea, giving young people the challenge of an adventure on the open waves. The opportunity helps them to discover their capabilities and encourages them to achieve more than they may have thought possible.
Duet was built in 1912 and is believed to be Britain’s longest-serving sail training vessel. Since she began this role in 1960, Duet has sailed over 300,000 miles and provided a sailing adventure for more than 10,000 young people.
The Sea-Chang
e Sailing Trust received a grant of £7,000 to bring adventure into the lives of young people and vulnerable adults, taking them on educational residential voyages onboard an engineless Thames sailing barge. This helps them develop essential life skills through living and working together as a team.
Judy Harrison, Assistant Executive Officer at Sea Change said: “We work with young people from all backgrounds, but specifically those from more disadvantaged communities. They participate fully in all activities on board the sailing barge. Sometimes we think that climbing the rigging will be a challenge for them, but very often learning comes from tasks that many of us take for granted, like using cutlery, or sitting together at a table to eat meals, using a broom or doing the washing-up for the very first time in their lives.
“We constantly see the value of communal living to reinforce learning. We offer ongoing mentoring to those who thrive on their first voyage, seeing them return frequently for further sailing and learning. We have an established training programme for young people and adults interested in gaining maritime heritage skills which can lead to employment. This helps to address the critical skills shortage in the Thames sailing barge industry.”
Two Essex-based sea scout groups have also received much needed funding:
The 4th Dovercourt Sea Scout Group was given a grant of £1,500 to buy supplies for their activities and to contribute to the retubing of a sailing rib used by young people in Dovercourt and Harwich.
The 17th Colchester Sea Scouts, a Royal Navy recognised group providing opportunities to over 100 young people from the Colchester area, was given funding to keep the organisation running during the cost-of-living crisis.
The group’s activities include regularly taking more than 450 young people and adults each year from other scout and guide groups around the country on the water from its Mersea Island base.
The Stour Blue Water Pass Trust received £7,500 towards the cost of providing water-based activities for young people on the River Stour.
Mark Murrison is a Trustee for the organisation. He said: “Our aim is to provide water sports experiences for eight to 16-year-olds, particularly those who would not otherwise have the opportunity to take part in such activities.
“We enable them to experience both sailing and water sports, so that they can learn new skills and fulfil their potential as individuals. We seek to remove the barriers to participating in sailing and water sports and create opportunities that benefit the young people who need it most, especially those from low-income families.
“Our RYA accredited instructors deliver taster and training sessions to develop children’s skills in boat handling. Through experience afloat and a programme of tuition we offer a pathway to confidence, independence and teamwork.”
Pionee
r Sailing Trust
The Pioneer Sailing Trust works with young people delivering life skills, apprenticeships and work experience through its vessels and training facility at Harker’s Yard, Brightlingsea. ECF manages the Pioneer Fund supporting the running costs of the Trust.
The Trust was set up 25 years ago this year. Initially it was a restoration project to get the wreck of the 1864 deep sea Essex smack, Pioneer, sailing again. She was relaunched in 2003 and sailed with her first group of young people in 2004.
Rupert Marks, chairman of the Pioneer Sailing Trust said: “The trust creates a motivational environment to help build confidence, practice and develop life skills, foster aspiration and gain qualifications.
“The marine environment has an incredibly positive impact on young people and it brings the chance to unlock potential they might not have known existed. It is an ideal platform from which to explore new things, introduce opportunities and develop confidence, self-esteem and resilience.”
In 2012, the first Harker’s Yard rowing gig was launched as part of the apprenticeships project and now there are currently 24 rowing gigs, 13 clubs and 57 teams who race regularly in the Harker’s Yard rowing league.
Last year Pioneer became a Training Provider and has just launched a new Heritage Engineering Marine Skills Technician Apprenticeship. It is being piloted for the first year and will roll out nationally later in 2024.
The Trust is developing more ways to engage with the public by creating pathways to education, training and, getting on the water and is very grateful to the support it has received over the years from ECF to make this happen.
Caroline Taylor, chief executive of ECF said: “We are proud to support the work of local charities and organisations that are helping to transform the lives of so many people by making the most of the opportunities the beautiful Essex coast can provide.”
If you would like to have a conversation about setting up a charitable fund to support your local community please contact Perry Norton.
Supporting young adults leaving care
18th April 2024
We are one of 17 community foundations to work with local partners to improve support for young adults leaving care.
We are working with leading Essex youth charity, Essex Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs and their beneficiaries who have experienced the care system, along with local authorities in Essex, Southend and Thurrock to ensure our funding is impactful and complements the support already provided.
The scheme will run over three years and is being funded by the Local Authorities’ Mutual Investment Trust (LAMIT), a shareholder of the UK’s biggest charities asset manager, CCLA.
Cllr Richard Kemp CBE, Deputy Lord Mayor of Liverpool and Chair of LAMIT, says, “We are delighted to be working with both Essex Community Foundation and their partner local authorities to deliver extra support to young people within the care system that badly need it. This joint fund of £150,000 for three years will provide that little bit of extra support that is vital for young care leavers.
“Nationally, our care system is creaking at the seams despite the best endeavours of dedicated professionals such as social workers and probation officers. We need to find innovative approaches for young people who have left care, in which society can wrap its arm around them in the same way that we as parents and grandparents wrap our arms around the young people in our own family.
Caroline Taylor, Chief Executive at Essex Community Foundation says, “Young people who are looked after by the care system often face multiple challenges and barriers as they transition to adulthood and living independently. Without the family support or a safety net it can be so hard to tackle everyday tasks, including planning budgets, food shopping and paying bills, alongside any further education or employment. We want to work alongside young adults to develop support that will help to remove some of these barriers”.
An event, at CCLA’s offices in London, will mark the official launch of the Care Leavers Programme.
If you are a local charity in need of funding, please contact our grants team on 01245 355947.
Photo designed by freepik (www.freepik.com)
Generating support for local communities
27th March 2024
Wind farms in Essex generate more than renewable energy, they also provide a vast amount of support for their surrounding areas.
Companies that run wind farms in the county are fulfilling a commitment to give back to communities where their developments are based by funding local amenities, educational initiatives and social activities.
Over the past decade almost £1.2 million has been distributed in Essex from the funds we manage on behalf of several wind farms in the county.
Working with residents in the areas where wind farms are located, we look at local priorities and consider applications for funding for a wide range of projects.
Caroline Taylor, CEO at ECF, said, “Wind energy is the world’s fastest growing renewable energy source, a trend that is expected to continue as technology costs fall and concerns around energy security and environmental issues rise.
“These developments do have an impact on local communities, so it is important that we work with residents to understand the needs of their community and identify the priorities for support.
“The grants support a wide range of projects and activities which will benefit people of all ages now and for years to come.”
Ben Donald, General Manager at Galloper Wind Farm said: “We have been successfully operating in Harwich since 2018. We decided to form an ongoing partnership with Essex Community Foundation to further our engagement with the community where we live and work.
“This is embedded in our team and corporate values, and it is a joy to witness how the grants given from our fund are benefiting local people. We also get to experience this first-hand through the time we spend with local schools, community groups and at organised events to promote the benefits of renewable energy.”
Galloper is helping to combat social isolation by funding the much-needed Harwich Connexions Community Transport service, which is tailored to rural communities around Colchester, enabling people to go shopping and attend medical appointments. Thanks to support from the Galloper Wind Farm Fund the service has been able to expand its fleet of minibuses, ensuring that no-one is left stranded just because they live in a rural area.
In addition, the 4th Dovercourt Sea Scouts Group received funding to replace their minibus, ensuring that they can continue to take their members on outings and take part in outdoor activities including camping and kayaking (main picture).
The Bradwell Wind Farm Community Fund has given over £300,000 to support projects in its local area. Among the groups to benefit is the Thursday Club, which has been able to run its Christmas celebration for elderly residents over several years. The club plays an important role, giving many of its members who live alone in a rural community the chance to enjoy some social time together.
Wind farms in Bradwell, Middlewick and Turncole are providing a wide range of support on the Dengie Peninsula. Grants given to The Dengie Project have resulted in a befriending service being established and have also funded a replacement minibus for a service that helps to reduce isolation.
Outings for the elderly in St Osyth have been directly funded by Earls Hall wind farm, with the aim of providing Dumount Luncheon Club’s 60 club members a chance to socialise and a warm place to meet and enjoy to a hot meal. For many members who are housebound and having to balance their budgets with care, the weekly social is a lifeline.
We currently manage six charitable community benefit funds associated with wind farms in the county:
Bradwell Wind Farm Community Fund, created in 2013, provides grants to support a broad range of issues and charitable projects that benefit people living in Bradwell-on-Sea and Tillingham.- Earls Hall Farm Community Benefit Fund was established in 2014 to support communities surrounding the wind farm development in Clacton and St Osyth.
- Turncole Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund supports projects in the parishes of Southminster and Burnham-on-Crouch that enhance the quality of life for local residents, contribute to vibrant healthy, successful and sustainable communities, promote community spirit and encourage community activity.
- The Middlewick Farm Community Benefit Fund and The Middlewick Scholarship Fund provide grants to support voluntary and community activity and individuals within a 10-mile radius of the Middlewick wind farm. The Scholarship Fund awards educational grants to students living near the wind farm, with a preference for applicants studying environmental or construction related subjects.
- Galloper Wind Farm Community Fund was launched in March 2018 and supports charitable, educational and environmental activities in the Harwich area. The Offshore Wind Farm is located approximately 30km off the coast of Suffolk, with the operations and maintenance activity being carried out from Harwich International Port.
Facts (Source RWE)
- the UK has over 11 thousand wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 30gigawatts (GW): 15 GW onshore and 15 GW offshore, the sixth largest capacity of any country.
- Wind power is the largest source of renewable energy in the UK.
- Wind generates more than a quarter of UK electricity, but less than gas over a whole year.
The transformational power of music
26th March 2024
A new charitable fund has been launched with the aim of ensuring excellent music education is available to all young people within Essex.
The Essex Music Fund has been set up by Essex Music Service (EMS) to provide support for projects and voluntary organisations that offer grassroots access to music making and education for young people across Essex who might not otherwise get the opportunity. The Fund will be managed by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
Peter Lovell, Head of Music at EMS, said, “We are very excited to have set up this Fund with ECF. Music has the power to bring communities together and create a sense of belonging and unity. It gives children and young people the opportunity to express themselves, explore their creativity, to work hard at something, persevere and shine. Musical experiences, education and achievements stay with them forever and can help shape their lives.”
Essex Music Service provides a wide range of support in schools and through local community hubs promoting high quality music education both within the curriculum and through instrument and vocal teaching. They also run the prestigious Essex Youth Orchestra and Essex Young Peoples Orchestra where talented young musicians young musicians can take part in performances and attend tours abroad that can help to improve their skills.
Peter said, “We hope people will want to support the Fund as every contribution will make a difference and enable young people to engage in suitable and relevant musical groups within their community. With support, we will continue spreading the joy and benefits of music across Essex”.
Find out about musical events and opportunities in your area here.
To make a donation the Essex Music Fund click here.
Grants will not be awarded from this Fund until after 1 July 2024. If you need funding for a music-based project please contact us.
Helping charity teams feel valued
Teamwork is a vital component for the success of any business or charity, and recognition for this helps people to feel motivated and valued. Positive feedback and support are especially valuable when given by those who truly understand and appreciate how working together can achieve so much
For the past three decades, we (ECF) have been working with and giving financial support to charities, voluntary and community groups in Essex. When we started in 1996 we had just one paid member of staff, a Chief Executive and a board of trustees who were all volunteers. Since then, we have grown to be a team of 16, supported by three regular volunteers and 15 trustees.
Through close contact with grassroots organisations in the community, we have a unique insight into the activities of the dedicated teams that work so hard to keep local charities and voluntary groups running. This led us to set up our own team charitable fund in 2008 to give support to other charity teams doing outstanding work in the community, and giving them a chance to do something together to make their staff feel valued and appreciated.
Caroline Taylor, CEO, said: “It can be especially difficult for local charities and voluntary groups to feel that their work is recognised and valued. Typically, their teams can be small, and many are supported by volunteers. As the nature of their work is to help others, there is often not the budget or the time to think about themselves.
“We know from our grant-giving just how hard their teams work, and the challenges they deal with every day to support people in need and make a difference in their communities. They often forget to make time to celebrate their achievements.
“This inspired us to set up our Team Fund. Everyone can contribute an amount they choose and at the end of the year we select one or two organisations to support. They may have had a really tough year, or perhaps their team has gone above and beyond to support their community.
“It is a simple concept, a gift from our team to theirs, with the only instruction being that they need to use it to do something fun. It is such a nice thing to do, and those we have supported so far have said it has given them and their teams such a boost and they have really benefited from spending some relaxed, fun time with each other.”
Since the ECF Team Fund was set up, it has given nearly £20,000 in support of other teams in a wide range of organisations across Essex.
Caroline said: “Our work is very inter-connected with so many charities and voluntary organisations, so it is a pleasure to give some recognition to them through our Team Fund.
“We owe a lot of our success at ECF to great teamwork, as we all work together to make sure that the interests and wishes of our donors are matched with the needs of local charities.
“It is also important that our trustees work as a team, and with our staff, to ensure that we meet all the necessary charity governance requirements and use each other’s skills and expertise to help move the foundation forward.”
Tendring CVS who received £830. Sharon Alexander, CEO at Community and Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST), said: “When we heard we were getting some funding for our team, we were so surprised and grateful.
“We work hard to support our local charities in Tendring and it has been a tough year for us all. To have this recognised, and to be able to do something that we can share as a team, was a great way for us to acknowledge how much we have achieved during the year and just spend some quality time together.
“The grant meant we had a fun filled Christmas at CVST HQ, with lots of prizes and a few games. The support from ECF’s Team Fund gave us such a great boost.”
Other organisations which have had support from ECF’s Team Fund include:
Stephen’s Place, is a charity that helps marginalised or homeless people in Southend-On-Sea. Each year, a team of around 25 volunteers works hard to provide more than 4,000 free hot breakfasts to the people who need it most, as well as offering countless hours of advice, guidance and signposting support. With the help of the ECF Team Fund, they held an American Diner themed evening.
Essex Search and Rescue was established in October 2002 to provide a pool of around 50 trained volunteers to assist the police in searching for high-risk, vulnerable, missing people. The searches are carried out mainly in Essex and their dedicated team can be called out at any time of the day or night, whatever the weather. They used their funding for a well-earned social evening where they could enjoy being together, free of any callouts!
Thurrock CVS (Thurrock Community and Voluntary Services) is a membership organisation that supports, develops and promotes the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector in Thurrock. In 2022, their CEO passed away after a long illness which had a deep impact on the whole team. A donation from the ECF Team Fund enabled them to organise a team event, at the appropriate time, to help them move forward.
Put community at the heart of your business
We are pleased to work with many local businesses, helping them to support their communities and engage their staff in decision-making.
Businesses with strong connections in their local communities reap the benefits in many ways, including increased recognition and the satisfaction of giving something back.
Many businesses in Essex support charities, voluntary and community groups with donations, fundraising and sponsorship of events. Employees often want to be involved in selecting which causes should benefit, and some of the high-profile national charities may seem the obvious choice.
But an increasing number of companies are recognising the needs on their doorstep and are working with us to achieve their charitable aims in a more effective and long-lasting way, directing their money to local charities and community organisations where it will have the greatest impact and support people who need it the most.
Perry Norton, Head of Development at ECF said: “A lot of companies are approached several times a year by charities asking for help. Deciding how and who to support can be difficult. Making one-off donations through fundraising or events has been a traditional way of providing support, but once the money has been donated it may not always be clear how it’s been used.
“Businesses often want to help local charities, but they won’t always know about the smaller, grassroots groups in their local community that provide vital services, but may not have the resources or volunteers with the relevant skills to promote what they do.
“We work with businesses, helping them to have a strategic focus to their giving and support local charities where even a small amount of money can be vital to keeping them going. Companies can set up charitable funds in their name with ECF to create something that will grow forever and have an ongoing impact.
“Businesses and their employees can be fully involved with the fund and still direct money to the causes they want to support. Having a fund with ECF means businesses know how and where their donations are being used. They also receive feedback on the difference their grants are making, and staff can visit the organisations to see for themselves the impact their donation has had. We have known staff to be so inspired after a visit, that they have become a volunteer for the charity.
(Main picture: Rickard Luckin visit Wellbeing at Garon Park, a project supported by their Fund).
(Pictured: Ellisons Solicitors charity panel meet with ECF to discuss which applications to support from their fund).
How to give locally
To discuss how to support local charities and voluntary groups call Perry Norton at ECF on 01245 355947, e-mail perry@essexcf.org.uk. Find out more here.