Protecting endangered crafts in Essex
17th July 2023
Heritage Crafts has received funding from Essex Community Foundation to provide a grant of up to £2,000 through the Heritage Crafts’ Endangered Crafts Fund, which was launched in 2019, to increase the likelihood of endangered crafts surviving into the next generation.
Heritage Crafts published the fourth edition of its Red List of Endangered Crafts in May this year. The first research of its kind to rank the UK’s traditional crafts by the likelihood that they will survive into the next generation. The report assessed 259 crafts to understand those at greatest risk of disappearing. Four were classified as ‘extinct’, 84 as ‘endangered’ and a further 62 as ‘critically endangered’.
As a result of this alarming threat to our cultural heritage, Heritage Crafts set up its Endangered Crafts Fund in 2019. Nationally, 59 grants have been awarded through the Fund since 2019.
Applicants based in Essex can apply for a grant for any amount up to £2,000 which can cover or contribute towards:
● training to learn a new craft or technique
● training for an apprentice to pass on skills and knowledge
● investing in more efficient tools and machinery
● developing reduced-carbon routes to market
● exploring the use of alternative materials while maintaining the heritage character of your practice
● innovative approaches to supporting and promoting endangered crafts
Only crafts listed as endangered or critically endangered on the 2023 edition of the Red List of Endangered Crafts are eligible. In addition to the funding recipients will also receive support from the Endangered Crafts Manager and the Heritage Crafts team to ensure that their project is a success. This will be unique to each project but could include mentor support, business support or signposting to other opportunities.
Mary Lewis, Endangered Crafts Manager at Heritage Crafts, said: “A combination of COVID, Brexit restrictions and spiralling energy costs have put additional pressure on the craftspeople who nurture some of our most important cultural traditions and skills. We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Essex Community Foundation to address the specific challenges to endangered skills and knowledge in Essex.”
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at Essex Community Foundation, said: “Ensuring these traditional crafts are not lost forever is so important. We hope this funding from the Salter McKinlay Charitable Fund, which we manage, will encourage applications from individuals who want to develop their skills or learn a new craft and where finance is the barrier to them achieving their goals.”
The fund is now open for applications via the Heritage Crafts website at www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/ecf-apply, with a closing date of Friday 6 October 2023. In addition to the Essex grant there are also grants available in the rest of the UK.
Braintree district community groups and charities invited to apply for funding
5th July 2023
A Fund which has provided more than £1 million to support Braintree district residents and communities through major social issues is open for applications.
Community groups and charities can apply for a slice of the £95,725 available this year from the Braintree District and Eastlight Community Fund.
Managed by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF), and set up by Braintree District Council and Eastlight Community Homes, the Fund has awarded more than £1 million to local causes since 2015.
The fund will support causes which tackle the big issues affecting residents the most: the cost-of-living, loneliness and isolation, emotional health and wellbeing and the lack of opportunities for young people.
Applications are welcomed from charities, residents’ groups, social enterprises and other non-profit organisations.
Grants of between £500 and £2,500 are available for smaller scale grassroots projects, alongside larger awards of up to £30,000 over three years.
James Green, Eastlight’s Community Empowerment Director, said: “Our Braintree District and Eastlight Community Fund exists to support the amazing work carried out by local charities and groups in our communities.
“So if you’ve got a great scheme or programme that could help improve the lives of residents living in Braintree district, then we want to hear from you.”
Cllr Marry Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities at Braintree District Council said: “The work of local charities and community groups makes such a difference to the residents of the Braintree District. This funding allows us to support some great initiatives and I look forward to reviewing this year’s applications.”
Last year’s funds supported brilliant organisations including Abberton Rural Training (ART), which provides “lifeline” programmes which help supports people’s mental health, and Soul Food, which offers meals and community support to anyone who needs them in Halstead.
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF said, “We would encourage local charities and groups in need of support to call us about their funding needs.
“The Braintree District and Eastlight Community Fund is invested to provide long-term support for local charities and voluntary groups. We are pleased to work with the panel and give out grants each year to organisations that are making a significant contribution to their local community.”
How to apply
The deadline to apply to this Fund was Friday 18 August 2023. If you are still in need of funding, you may be able to apply to our general grants programme. Please contact the ECF grants team on grants@essexcf.org.uk or 01245 355947.
Trustee opportunity – Join our Board
14th June 2023
Do you want to use your skills to support your local community?
Are you looking to enhance your CV and gain new experience?
Essex Community Foundation is looking for trustees to help shape our work now and in the future. This is a voluntary, unpaid position; however, expenses are covered.
For over 27 years we have worked passionately to develop the charitable sector in Essex, Southend and Thurrock. We want to create a culture of generosity and support, inspiring charitable giving to provide vital funding to voluntary and community organisations working at the heart of our communities.
On average each year we provide grants to over 420 large and small organisations which are meeting the needs of their communities and making a real difference for local people, with funds provided by over 180 donors and national funders.
We are recruiting voluntary positions to join our Board of Trustees to help expand our skills and broaden our diversity.
Our Trustees tell us that they feel they can make a real difference through their involvement and applying their skills to support and develop our work.
There are several skills that we now need on our Board, and we hope that you will be interested in working with us. These are:
- a broad understanding of charity
- finance or risk management
- marketing and communications
- legal
We want to ensure that our Board better reflects the diversity of those who belong to the communities that we support and so we particularly welcome interest and applications from LGBTQ+ people, Black, Asian and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and people under 40 years of age.
This could be your first Trustee role, or you could already have some experience as a Trustee. We have a full trustee induction process, ongoing training, and a mentor scheme to support you through your first years.
You will have the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge of the charity sector through participating in the work of our Board committees.
Our Board meets four times a year, and participation can be in person or virtually.
How to apply
Applying couldn’t be simpler, click here for our Recruitment Pack.
Interested candidates need to submit a CV and letter outlining why this is of interest to you to recruitment@essexcf.org.uk by 5pm on Wednesday 19 July.
We would also like to offer you an opportunity to have an informal conversation with one of our current trustees or our Chief Executive. Please contact us via the above e-mail address to arrange this or call 01245 355947.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Men’s Shed opens the door on their activities
6th June 2023
A disused barn at Rivers Hall in Boxted, near Colchester, has been transformed into a hive of activity, hosting a Men’s Shed project as a positive antidote to isolation and mental health challenges.
The project came about after a chance encounter when farmer and philanthropist Jonathan Minter DL (Jonny) attended a Spring reception organised by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
Jonny, who is the third generation of his family to live at Rivers Hall, is a former chairman of ECF and he and his wife Margaret (Miff) have a family fund managed by ECF to give grants locally to causes close to their hearts.
Jonny said: “When I was at a reception held by ECF, a man was there to talk about Men’s Sheds and the need for a venue for a local project. What he was saying started ringing bells for me.
“At the end I went up to him and said I had some old farm buildings that were empty. He followed this up and had a look at the barns and a plan was formed to set up a Men’s Shed.
“At the start about 10 people were turning up twice a week, but that grew quickly and there are now 74 members.
“They are self-sufficient and use their skills to make all kinds of things from wood, including bird boxes and five bar gates. There is plenty of wood here and they also use old pallets. The idea behind Men’s Sheds is to address isolation and mental health challenges. Several people who come here are ex-Army and have experienced PTSD.”
The project, one of several similar initiatives across the country, gives men somewhere to meet and socialise. They use and pass on their skills in a constructive way and enjoy the peaceful setting in beautiful countryside.
Ancient woodland and water meadows surround Rivers Hall which is set in 1,100 acres. Jonny and Miff have ensured that conservation and community involvement are at the heart of managing the estate.
Wildlife flourishes at Rivers Hall, including barn owls, water voles, lapwings and redshanks. Jonny has also gained widespread recognition for conservation work and for re-introducing the English Partridge.
Now the Men’s Shed project is also flourishing at Rivers Hall, bringing a new dimension and use to an historic site.
If you would like to have a conversation about how ECF could help you to support local charities call Perry Norton on 01245 355947.
Read more about Jonny and how he gives back to local communities here. Republished with kind permission of Essex Life Magazine.
Community fund focuses on families
One of the latest beneficiaries to a grant from the Chelmsford Star Co-op Community Fund is Families InFocus, a parent-led charity that supports families with a child under 25 with special educational needs or disability.
The charity operates in both Southend and Chelmsford and recently welcomed members from Chelmsford Star Co-op’s decision making panel for a visit. This was to see one of their social activity groups at Melbourne Sports Stadium and to witness the support they provide.
Families played together, parents swapped stories and advice, children mixed with others their own age and were not made to feel different. There was a friendly atmosphere with a community feel, and it was busy.
One parent said; “Families InFocus have provided the most on point and appropriate support that we have received. It is the first assistance that we have been offered that has completely fulfilled what it said it would and I honestly can’t thank them enough.”
Pauline Dodd, Chair of the Co-op’s Membership Committee which allocates where our Community Fund money is distributed, said; “It’s been really quite moving to see how much this small charity has achieved over the last 25 years or so, and how relied upon they are. What a great organisation.”
Families InFocus received a grant of £1,500 which was combined with other donations by the Essex Community Foundation and this was used to cover rental costs and other essential expenses.
If you are a local business that would like to give back to local charities, click here to find out more.
Apply for a grant for your charitable work here.
Three Brentwood-based charities receive funding boost
5th June 2023
Three Brentwood-based charities have been recognised for the incredible work they carry out in the community.
To help them continue their missions, REACH, SNAP and the Lighthouse Furniture Project have been awarded grants by the Saffron Community Fund.
Set up by the Saffron Building Society 11 years ago, the fund is run in partnership with Essex Community Foundation (ECF) and supports not-for-profit organisations across Essex, Suffolk, and Hertfordshire.
Claire Hunnable, from Saffron Building Society, said: “It is truly humbling to meet the everyday heroes that commit their time and energy into running organisations like REACH, SNAP and the Lighthouse Furniture Project.”
REACH provides high-quality assessment and rehabilitation programmes, using trained horses, for adults and children suffering from physical, mental, social and/or learning disabilities.
Beth Lovell said: “We work hard to provide a bespoke service to our clients, helping those with physical and learning disabilities, mental health challenges, and those finding it hard to access mainstream education – and horses are at the core of everything we do.
“Our centre provides a natural environment and an alternative learning experience for those not wanting the pressure or confines of a classroom. We have happy ponies, happy staff, happy volunteers, and ultimately happy participants, and want to be able to help more people in the future. This means we are constantly looking at ways to fundraise to keep our charity going. Being a not-for-profit and having horses to pay for is a difficult challenge so we appreciate any help, however great or small.”
SNAP is a charity for families with children and young people who have any additional needs or disabilities. More than 3,800 families across Essex are accessing SNAP.
Callum Boath said: “SNAP has been supporting Essex families who have children with any additional need or disability for almost 30 years. All money raised helps us to continue to provide vital services including a very busy helpline, specialist parent talks, counselling, support and advice from our team of Family Support Advisers as well as a variety of activities, therapies and clubs for children and young people.
“It is only through the support of the local business community as well as our other fundraisers that we can continue to be there when families need us most.”
The Lighthouse Furniture Project is a charity serving communities in Essex by providing low-cost, reused furniture and electrical appliances.
Jackie Rayner said: “The Lighthouse Furniture Project works hard in the community to provide new and refurb goods to people in need. We works with others to provide food parcels and the relevant items to make a house a home. With a bed to sleep in, somewhere to wash their clothes and something to cook a meal with, it gives a person or family the starting blocks to build a future.”
The Saffron Community Fund is, for the first time, opening its grant applications twice this year. For more information or to apply for the next round of funding, click here.