Apply now for Cancer support projects

12th August 2025

Cancer Support Partnership Project

This Fund is supported by the Suffolk & North East Essex Integrated Care Board (SNEE ICB) and aims to increase early-stage cancer diagnosis and enhance the wellbeing of individuals across the region. 

The purpose of the fund is to support voluntary and community groups delivering projects that will increase the proportion of cancers diagnosed at early stages (Stage 1 & 2). We are looking for applications that will: 

• Increase uptake of National Screening Programmes. 

• Improve awareness of cancer signs and symptoms. 

• Reduce health inequalities and improve access for Inclusion Health groups. 

• Promote personalised care. 

The fund is open to voluntary groups, community organisations, and social enterprises within the SNEE, North East Essex area (Colchester and Tendring). We encourage applications from projects that demonstrate partnership working and have a clear exit strategy.  

Previous organisations that received support include Colchester life in the UK, who received £39,512 to provide a two year cancer awareness and testing programme for ethnic minority communities in Colchester, and Walton on the Naze Community Forum with a grant of £2,000 that enabled them to provide leaflets and accessible information on cancer awareness and available screenings in Tendring.  

Funding Details 

• Grant Amounts: Grant sizes varies. In the previous round grants ranged from £2,000 for a small one year piece of work to £49,000 for a larger two year project.  

• Eligibility: Voluntary and community organisations, registered charities, social enterprises (CICs Limited by Guarantee), and not-for-profit organisations can apply.  

• Personal Health Budgets: A portion of the funding is available for organisations to provide one-off Personal Health Budgets to support individuals facing health inequalities. 

• Project and Core costs will be considered, and capital costs under £5,000 

Application Process 

Applications for the first panel are open until 12 September 2025, with the first panel meeting on 7 October 2025. Subsequent panel meetings to be organised in due course until the fund is fully allocated. We aim to provide decisions within two weeks of each panel meeting. 

Guidance on Applying to This Programme 

Before applying, please read this guidance. It offers detailed information about the grants programme, including its aims, criteria, examples of eligible outcomes, and what can and cannot be funded. This background will help ensure your application is aligned with the programme’s objectives. 

We would love to hear from you and discuss your ideas. You can get in touch in whatever way suits you best: 

• Call Us: 01245 355947

• Book a Time Slot: Click here to speak with a grants officer. 

• Email: grants@essexcf.org.uk 

Additional Information 

• Suffolk Based Organisations (excluding Waveney) may apply via Suffolk Community Foundation’s website. 

• For more information about the areas covered by SNEE ICB, please visit their website. 

• For information about the SNEE Cancer Strategy, please visit the Joint Forward Plan. 

Apply for Support 

To apply click here. 

By working together, we can make significant strides in early cancer diagnosis and support the health and wellbeing of our communities in Suffolk and North East Essex. 

Apply now to join our team!

8th August 2025

Fund Development Administration Officer

Are you highly organised, detail-oriented, and passionate about supporting local communities? Join us and help inspire generosity, support local causes, and drive positive change across Essex.

As our new Fund Development Administration Officer you’ll play a vital role in supporting our income generation and donor development activities. Reporting to the Marketing Manager, you’ll provide high-quality administrative and coordination support across fund development, events, and communications.

Your work will help ensure that activities are efficiently planned, tracked, and delivered. This includes maintaining donor databases, preparing fund development materials, supporting marketing campaigns, and helping to organise and deliver events that align with our strategy.

What You’ll Bring:

• Strong organisational, coordination and administrative skills
• Confidence working with CRM systems and producing reports
• A proactive, collaborative approach and attention to detail
• An interest in digital tools and data-driven initiatives
• Confident using various Social Media platforms
• A passion for supporting local causes and making a difference

You’ll work closely with colleagues across the Foundation, primarily with the Fund Development Team, our Head of Stewardship and Policy & Communications Manager, to ensure donor engagement and fund development activities are well-coordinated and impactful.

Why Join Us?

We are a highly regarded, professional and passionate organisation that connects people who care with local causes that matter. We work closely with philanthropists, manage charitable funds, and award grants to voluntary and community organisations tackling some of Essex’s most pressing social issues. This is a new role and exciting opportunity to help grow and sustain our supporter base.

Ready To Apply?

To apply please send a copy of your CV and Cover Letter to: recruitment@essexcf.org.uk

To find out more about this role please view the full Job Description & Application Pack here.

In the Application Pack, you will find the full Job Description and Person Specification. With these in mind, please answer the question “Why do you think you would be ideal for the position?” within your cover letter. Your CV and cover letter must not exceed a total of three sides of A4.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Thursday, 11 September 2025. If you have any queries about the position, please call Perry Norton on 01245 355947.

For an informal chat about the role or if you have any queries about the position, please contact Perry Norton on 07495 548383 or email perry@essexcf.org.uk 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. 

Our 30th anniversary celebrations start now!

1st August 2025

We have launched a special year of celebration to mark our 30^th anniversary.

The Foundation is marking a milestone in its grant-giving, having awarded £60 million worth of funding to good causes in Essex, as well as our new strategy which includes raising a further £30 million, and being a strong voice for the voluntary sector.

Nick Alston CBE DL, who has chaired ECF for nearly seven years, paid tribute to the generosity of Essex people when he welcomed the start of the Foundation’s anniversary year, at a special event held at Braxted Park.

He said: “It’s remarkable to think it was 30 years ago that our visionary founders, Ian and Angela Marks, began rallying people to help bring to life what was, at the time, an ambitious new idea, the creation of Essex Community Foundation.

“That’s three decades of families creating legacies, of businesses stepping up, of communities placing their trust in the Foundation. Trustees, past and present, have asked big questions, listened to those closest to the issues and responded with care. Our supporters are the people who give and help us build a fairer, kinder, more connected county.

“If the last period has been about building momentum, the next will be about bold expansion. I am excited to launch this year-long anniversary celebration for ECF. Our 30th anniversary won’t just be retrospective.  Looking to the future we will continue doing what we do best: connecting people who want to give, with communities who have ideas, passion, and urgent needs. Our theme is simple, 30 Years of Generosity.

“ECF’s 2030 Strategy is, rightly, ambitious and reflects a new strand of work.  This is to be a strong, bold voice for the voluntary sector, which absolutely needs a seat at the table to help decide policies which affect the community. We are determined to use our influence to promote the vital role of civil society. This does not detract from our core purpose, which remains unchanged, inspiring philanthropic giving and supporting grassroots charities.”

Nick will be retiring as Chair of ECF in November.  He continued said, “It has been a great honour to serve the Foundation, to work alongside such passionate trustees, talented staff, inspiring partners and committed supporters. I am an Essex boy through and through and I am looking forward to spending more free time in the county I love, with more walking and sailing. I am also looking forward to continuing involvement as a fundholder and to being an ambassador for ECF and spreading the word about its work.”

Nick said he is proud that ECF now manages more than 200 funds and has so far given grants totalling £60 million to voluntary and community groups in Essex. When he steps down as Chair in November, he will hand over the role to a fellow trustee, Atul Manek, who joined the Foundation in 2022, saying: “He is a man of vision, integrity and deep social purpose. His generosity, through his own family fund and his leadership as an ECF trustee, has helped shape where we are today. I know he will guide the Foundation with purpose and care and, with great rigour, will make sure that we have everything in place to take ECF forward.”

Paying tribute to Nick Alston’s work, Jenny Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex and Patron of Essex Community Foundation said: “As chair of ECF’s trustees Nick has left a lasting and deeply positive legacy, both for the Foundation and for the wider community it serves.

“His passion for Essex, generosity of spirit and unwavering commitment have shaped the Foundation’s development and enabled it to respond with strength and agility during times of real challenge.”

Thank you to Braxted Park Estate for hosting our Summer Party. Despite the forecasts, we were able to enjoy the beautiful gardens and Pavilion, where our guests enjoyed delicious canapes, drinks and afternoon tea.

Our thanks also go to –

Nikki Schuster, CEO of Renew Counselling and Training, who welcomed everyone to the event.

🎻 Essex Music Services, who brought four young musicians from the Essex Youth Orchestra to provide the soundtrack to the afternoon.

🎥 Long time friends and supporters, Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt from Scruton Wyatt Media joined us too, talking to a variety of guests about their stories and experiences with us. Thanks to all those who went on camera!

It was a wonderful event, surrounded by many of our fundholders and supporters and representatives from the voluntary sector.

If you would like to make a donation, support local charities or leave a legacy, contact Perry Norton on 01245 355947 or email perry@essexcf.org.uk

You can look through our photos, courtesy of photographer Stephen Brading, here.

Why the Civil Society Covenant Matters – and what we’ll do about it.

25th July 2025

Our CEO, Caroline Taylor writes about her experience at the launch of the Civil Society Covenant, and the opportunities it presents.

Last week, I had the privilege of being in the room with around 200 civil society leaders, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, a full line-up of Cabinet Ministers, and senior civil servants.

Why? For the launch of the Government’s Civil Society Covenant – a new commitment to reset the relationship between public bodies and civil society. That means charities, volunteers, faith groups, co-operatives, trade unions, social enterprises, and philanthropists.

This is, undoubtedly, good news.

For far too long, charities have been overlooked by government at all levels. Engagement, when it happens, is often short-term at best and tokenistic at worst. Our own research reflects this reality: across the region 92% of charities feel valued – encouraging – but only 48% are involved in developing policy that affects their beneficiaries and only 32% in Essex say they are working behind the scenes to change policy. That’s a serious concern.

The Covenant sets out to change this. It opens with a bold and welcome ambition:

“Tangible change is needed to implement the Covenant, so civil society is valued as an expert strategic partner and independent advocate who can hold government to account and campaign for public benefit without fear of sanction.”

Yes, please! It continues:

“It will take honesty and humility to build trust, as well as a willingness to work in new ways. We must seize this opportunity, because the social, economic and environmental challenges we face cannot be solved by government alone.”

Exactly. And in that room last week, there was a genuine – if cautious – sense of optimism. Many of us remember the Compact, the Covenant’s predecessor. Its ambitions were equally laudable, but when momentum faltered, it was civil society that kept the flame alive while others let it burn out.

We can’t let that happen again. This feels like a real opportunity to do things differently – and better. That means improving the way we work across sectors. This could start with change to procurement and commissioning practices, or to put it another way, how government gives money in exchange for services. These processes, while well-intended, often cause real harm to local charities. Short-term contracts, impossible deadlines, overwhelming data demands, and the pressure to do more with less – these are issues I hear about time and again from charity leaders.

And that’s just among those organisations that do receive public funding.

Here in Essex, 68% of charities have an annual income of less than £50,000, comparable to the rest of the country. Most have no, or little, financial relationship with the public sector. So, how will the voices of their beneficiaries be heard and understood?

The risk is that, for many, the Covenant will feel irrelevant – either too remote from their day-to-day work or too difficult to engage with due to time and resource constraints.

Last year, as we developed our Strategy 2030, we asked our charity and grant partners what they needed from us. One message came through clearly: use your voice. Speak out on our behalf – because too many fear that doing so themselves could lead to being cut off. Sadly, that fear is not unfounded.

Charities exist to serve their beneficiaries. They respond to specific communities, with different needs, in different ways, at different times. That’s the power of civil society – its diversity, its adaptability, its closeness to people’s lives.

Government, by contrast, must serve the whole population. A very different role, with very different constraints. We may share a desire to help others, but we come at this from different places – and the Covenant, at least on paper, does recognise that.

Turning it into something meaningful will require more than good intentions and more than a coalition of the willing, because the benefit must be across all our work and not only felt by those large enough and with the capacity to engage. It will need leadership from us all, at every level.

So, what does that mean for us here in Essex?

What role can we play in bringing the Covenant to life locally? How can we work with our public and charity sector colleagues to build trust, shift mindsets, behaviours, and expectations? These are big questions – and ones we’d love to explore with you.

And what about the public sector? How are they interpreting the Covenant? What opportunities do they see? What concerns do they have? How do they want to engage with us?

To start, we’ll be sharing the Covenant with all our stakeholders. We’ll make it a regular topic of discussion in our meetings. We’ll work to raise awareness and build momentum. And we’ll collaborate with national colleagues to learn from others and share what works.

Because this is an opportunity we can’t afford to waste.

If you would like to discuss the Covenant with the Foundation, then please contact us.

Planning ahead: Why lifetime estate planning beats a last-minute will

Sally Farrow is a highly experienced tax adviser and Partner in the Private Client, Trusts and Probate team at Larking Gowen, a well regarded and long-standing financial and accountancy firm in Essex. Their commitment to community engagement is an integral part of their identity and mission.

Over 25 years, Sally has built a reputation for delivering thoughtful, strategic advice to individuals and families navigating complex tax and estate planning matters. On top of this, Sally is authorised to provide probate services by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Sally brings a wealth of expertise in inheritance tax planning, trust structures, and probate administration. She is particularly passionate about helping clients plan ahead, whether that’s through lifetime gifting, structuring their affairs for future generations, or ensuring their wishes are clearly documented and tax-efficient.

We asked Sally to explain how charitable giving is a powerful tool when proactive planning:

“While a will is essential for distributing an estate, it is not a substitute for comprehensive lifetime estate planning.”

Proactive planning enables individuals to manage Inheritance Tax (IHT) exposure, support charitable causes, and preserve family harmony, all while maintaining control of wealth transfer.

Lifetime planning offers key tax advantages. The annual exemption (£3,000) and small gifts exemption (£250 per person) can reduce the estate’s value year by year. Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs) become fully exempt if the donor survives seven years. Early gifting also enables use of Business Property Relief (BPR) and Agricultural Property Relief (APR), which can reduce or eliminate IHT on qualifying assets however the proposed changes to these reliefs from April 2026 need to be fully considered.

Trusts provide an effective means of managing wealth across generations too. They allow individuals to retain control over assets while removing them from the taxable estate. While subject to their own tax rules, trusts offer flexibility and asset protection when structured appropriately.

Charitable giving is another powerful element of estate planning. Gifts to UK-registered charities are exempt from IHT, and those who leave 10% or more of their estate to charity can reduce their IHT rate from 40% to 36%. Lifetime giving may also attract Gift Aid, increasing the value of donations and offering Income Tax relief.

From a personal perspective, early planning fosters transparency and mitigates potential conflict. Clients can communicate intentions clearly, manage expectations, and avoid the risks associated with unexpected will provisions. Tools such as Letters of Wishes can further guide trustees and maintain family cohesion. I would encourage advisers to promote early lifetime estate planning to help clients achieve their financial and personal legacy objectives and secure wealth for future generations.

Importantly, effective estate planning requires collaboration. Solicitors, wealth managers, and tax advisers must work together to deliver holistic outcomes. Coordinated planning ensures legal structures align with financial strategies and tax efficiencies.

Fighting fire, supporting local charities

The hot and dry summer months present numerous challenges for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS), including an increased risk of wildfires and other emergencies. Beyond their frontline duties, and since 2006, ECFRS has been collaborating with us to support a wide range of local charities and voluntary groups.

Firefighters in Essex are always at the ready to respond to a wide range of emergencies across the county and many lives have been saved thanks to their bravery and dedication.

As well as tackling fires, their skills are also in constant demand to deal with road traffic collisions, specialist rescues, maritime incidents, flooding and incidents involving hazardous materials.

The high-profile work of fire service staff in Essex is well recognised. But their work in the community, although less well known, is also of vital importance. From educating young people about the dangers of fire to protecting vulnerable people, through fire prevention measures in their homes, this work helps to make Essex a safer place.

Community groups and charities making a positive impact in the county, tackling a wide range of social issues, have also been given much-needed support by the charitable fund set up by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service nearly two decades ago.

The fund is managed by us and since it was established, the fund has awarded grants worth almost £200,000.

Neil Cross, Director of Finance, Procurement and Improvement with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “People identify us with the shiny red trucks they see when we are out on call. But the fire service is so much more than that.  We are actively engaged in fire prevention and detection work as well as a wide range of projects to promote safety in the community.

“Working with Essex Community Foundation helps us to achieve our strategic goals, and the grants awarded from our charitable fund make a real difference.  When so many charities are struggling to raise the vital funds they need, it can be difficult to prioritise and decide which organisation should receive the money.  ECF helps us to understand where our funding will have the greatest impact.

“Through the Community Foundation we have found out about some organisations we were not familiar with and have been able to make visits to them to find out first hand about their work. Through this we can sometimes identify people who are at risk and may need some fire prevention updates and advice.

“Our Firebreak scheme (pictured left) is a great example of our intervention work with young people. The five-day courses are held at our operational fire stations, and they help young people learn about structure, discipline and working as a team. Climbing ladders, spraying water and engaging with fire service staff all prove very popular and we have had very good feedback about the benefits of the programme. By the end of the course there are a lot of bright faces and the young people have developed some life skills.

“A recent grant from our fund has also given support to the Braintree Youth Project (pictured right), a charity working with disadvantaged and vulnerable young people. I was very pleased to be able to make a visit, spend some time with them and learn more about their work. Becoming involved in this way is more than just handing over a cheque.”

Other local organisations recently supported by the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Charitable Fund, through grants from ECF, include:

• London Bus Theatre Company – to support a project highlighting issues around alcohol and binge drinking for vulnerable Year 6 young people living in Clacton-on-Sea.
• Rainbow Services – to expand a community youth project in Harlow helping young people to reengage with education and supporting them to build more positive futures.
• BASICS Essex, a charity of volunteer doctors and paramedics who respond to incidents at the request of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust. They received a grant to help with the running costs of their office base in Chelmsford, where they deliver training, store equipment and meet with volunteers, clinicians and partners.
• ​Maldon District Community Voluntary Services – to improve the safety of Men’s Sheds across Essex and increase the benefit for those who attend by enabling First Aid Training, PAT Testing training, networking forums and other activities that promote the health, wellbeing and safety of Shedders.

“Essex Community Foundation is a fantastic organisation and working with them and attending their events is a privilege,” said Neil.

“We are also very pleased and proud to be involved in the annual High Sheriff’s Awards, which ECF organises, to recognise the work of voluntary organisation working across Essex and their contribution to community safety.

“It is very important to hear and see a lot of the good work being done in the community and hearing some of the stories is really moving.”

Providing home safety fire visits, fitting smoke alarms in the homes of people who may be at risk, is another important aspect of the community work carried out by staff from the Essex County Fire and Rescue service.

Fire station open days also help to educate people about staying safe and the events are well-attended across the county, providing fun for families and also highlighting recruitment opportunities for potential fire fighters of the future.

With extreme weather conditions bringing increased risks of fire and floods, plus social issues having an impact on community safety, the fire service will continue to be extremely busy in Essex.

“We are determined that, as an organisation, we make sure that we have the skills and equipment to meet any future challenges,” said Neil.

“Also, anything we can do to engage with the wider community and help improve the safety of people in Essex is a very positive thing.”

Andy Payne Worpole, Director of Policy and Programmes at ECF said, “We are pleased to work with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, and other public agencies, helping them to direct funding to where it is most needed and have the greatest impact.  The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service charitable fund has reached a significant milestone in its grantmaking.  We look forward to continuing to work with them and help more local charities and voluntary groups to benefit from support.”

Facts about ECFRS:

• Attended over 16,000 incidents in 2024
• Covers a service area of 1,417 square miles
• Employs 1,500 people across the county, including wholetime and on-call fire fighters, plus support staff.
• Teams operate from 50 Fire Stations around the county
• Runs 66 fire engines

For advice or to check and install fire alarms, book a free Home Safety Visit: https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/book-home-safety-visit or phone: 0300 303 0088 (9.30am – 4pm) or email: home.safety@essex-fire.gov.uk

To find out how we can help you support your local community, call Perry Norton on 01245 355947 or email perry@essexcf.org.uk