The positive power of nature
11th April 2023
Republished with kind permission of Essex Life.
Essex is blessed with beautiful countryside and an extraordinary coastline, making it the perfect county to appreciate all year round.
With Spring in the air bringing a promise of warmer weather and a sense of renewal there is an extra incentive to make the most of all that Essex has to offer, from a simple stroll, a picnic on the beach or just enjoying bird song in our own gardens.
The benefits of being in natural surroundings for work or pleasure are well documented and over the past 12 months Essex Community Foundation (ECF) has given grants to a wide range of charities and voluntary groups that are helping people to enjoy nature, develop new skills and improve their mental health.
Such groups make a huge difference to the lives of many people throughout Essex, offering companionship, encouraging them to keep fit and healthy, giving the chance to learn new skills and spend productive time on practical activities.
Trust Links is a shining example of a local charity which helps people to connect with nature and reap all the benefits this can bring. The charity works in South Essex and helps to improve people’s mental health and well-being through a range of activities including therapeutic gardening, recovery classes, social activities and employment training.
Matt King, CEO of Trust Links, said: “If we take care of the environment, it takes care of us. Our practices and projects reflect this, and we see first-hand every day the transformative power of nature.
“We bring people together to build relationships and do something practical and hands on to take their minds off day-to-day concerns and worries. Gardening gives them a positive reason to leave their homes and to come back time and time again.
“Our Growing Together gardens are at the heart of how we help people experiencing mental health problems. We have five therapeutic gardens where we people experience positive change for their mental and physical health through outdoor gardening activities.”
The Beacon Shed in Thundersley is another charity making a difference by bringing people together to help their wellbeing.
One of many similar projects across Essex, it provides a welcoming meeting place where like-minded men can keep busy making, mending and repairing items and objects and work on projects for themselves, friends, family and the wider community. It is also somewhere that they can have conversations over a cup of tea or share their concerns, while also passing on workshop skills mostly derived from their previous occupations.
Also promoting the benefits of fruitful activity and new opportunities is the educational charity Abberton Rural Training (ART), which has been given a recent boost for its work in Braintree with a grant from ECF.
ART provides education and training in a range of land-based studies including horticulture, woodlands and land management, construction and rural skills. The charity also has support services for its clients, including fully trained mental health and well-being counsellors and advocacy assistance.
Many of ART’s clients are vulnerable and isolated, people with special education needs, wounded and injured service personnel and victims of domestic violence. The power of horticulture, gardening and animal husbandry are all used to help such people build their confidence and skills and move into employment.
Caroline Taylor, chief executive of Essex Community Foundation said: “The grants we give to charities across Essex are all about making a difference and improving people’s lives. Our donors have a wide range of interests, and we are pleased to support voluntary organisations and charities who do such sterling work, offering people the opportunity to learn valuable skills and be involved in activities bringing them closer to nature.”
ECF gave £4.4 million in grants last year on behalf of its donors. They can help you give back to your local community and to the causes you’re passionate about. Call 01245 355947 or give now.
New High Sheriff of Essex is appointed
4th April 2023
History has been made by the appointment of Charles Bishop as the 843rd High Sheriff of Essex.
He is the first High Sheriff of Essex to take on the ancient role in the reign of the new monarch, King Charles III.
He said: “I am very honoured that in the 1,000-year history of the office of High Sheriff of Essex I have become the first to be appointed by King Charles III. It is a joy that my year as High Sheriff will include the coronation.
“I think at heart Essex is a monarchist county and that people will be swept along in the enthusiasm for it all, with many celebrations including street parties.”
As the whole country welcomes the crowning of the new King, there are also plenty of challenges facing many people in Essex. Charles Bishop has pledged that, as the new High Sheriff, he is ready to give his support and encouragement to help make the county a better and safer place.
“One of the roles of High Sheriff is responsibility for law and order and I want to give recognition and support to community groups whose work has a positive impact on crime prevention and community safety,” he said.
“A huge amount of voluntary work goes on in Essex and it is important to make sure that people are appreciated for what they are doing. With the current background of a rising cost-of-living I am conscious that it is a very difficult time for many people. The economy is also having an impact on funding which is affecting local authorities, community groups and volunteers.
“The judiciary is also facing cut backs year-on-year and this is a significant problem for the Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts. They are all struggling and their ability to be effective is being reduced.”
During his year of office as High Sheriff, Charles will be supporting the High Sheriffs’ Fund, which is run by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF). The Fund gives grants to charities and voluntary organisations in the county working to strengthen community safety and promote crime prevention. Since it was set up in 1997, groups from across Essex have benefited annually from the fund and support totalling over £700,000.
As a trustee of ECF, Charles, who lives in Great Braxted, has a wide knowledge and understanding of the charitable sector and, through his career, he has also gained in-depth experience of the financial world.
He said: “I am looking forward to my year as High Sheriff and learning more about public sector organisations, the judiciary and the emergency services. I also want to recognise a range of faith groups to include those with other beliefs, as well as the Christian Church.”
Whilst carrying out his duties Charles will be supported by his wife, Nellie, a retired nurse. The couple, who have three grown up children, are Essex born and bred and have a deep-seated affection for the county.
Charles grew up in Colchester where his father was an Army brigade commander.
“I have a huge interest in Essex and its environment. It is such a big area with a population of more than one and half million people and a very long coastline, so I can’t claim to know the whole county. It will be fun to get out and about and meet as many people as possible,” Charles said.
“I want to keep fit, as it is a demanding role. I do have a little bit of trepidation, but every High Sheriff I have spoken to has found it the most interesting and rewarding year of their life.
“Some of my friends have been joking that, according to history, as High Sheriff, I will have the authority to raise a hue and cry. That won’t be happening, but I will certainly be putting my best foot forward.”
If you would like to support Charles during his year of office in raising money to support local charities, you can give online here or call Jo Macaulay on 01245 355947.
Ingatestone Hall Spring Reception
3rd April 2023
We were excited to welcome around 70 fundholders, donors and supporters to Ingatestone Hall for the first of our two Spring Receptions of 2023.
Evenings like this are a great opportunity to bring our people together and we are so grateful to our President Lord Petre for once again allowing us to hold our event in his lovely home.
Our Chair of Trustees, Nicholas Alston CBE DL introduced the evening and shared our updates and activities. Two local voluntary organisations shared how financial support from ECF has helped to further their work, and were introduced by our retiring grants officer, Jill Curd. These were:
Knightswood Care
The Knightswood Care in Asheldham, Maldon, has been delivering day services to adults of all ages for over 25 years.
Over time the day centre has developed greater expertise in dementia care and carers support, and their aim is to provide a range of services which empower older people living within the Dengie Peninsular to make choices which enable them to reach their best levels of health and fitness, maintain their independence and to lead rich and fulfilling lives.
They provide door-to-door transportation services for their clients and run a wide range of activities within the centre, including seated exercise classes, singing, board games and gardening.
This work not only helps the person who goes to the Centre, but also provides their loved one with vital respite breaks from caring for them.
Knightswood also manage a ‘Lend A Hand’ Service for those individuals in the community who may need a little help with trips shopping, appointments, companionship or light housework.
Most recently, we supported the centre with a grant of £2,800 for staff training costs. This included their team going on a ‘Dementia Bus’ to better understand what it is like to live with Dementia; it allows delegates to enter the world of the people they help and better understand which simple changes need to be made to their practice and environment to really improve lives.
City of Chelmsford Mencap
City of Chelmsford Mencap is an independent charity that provides services for adults with a learning disability across mid-Essex, ensuring they receive care and support to live life to the fullest.
They run a wide range of social clubs and respite schemes for people of all ages as well as information and support services for members and their families and carers. This includes their weekly youth club, Gateway Juniors, which is for people aged 16 to 25. It offers sports and dance workshops for the energetic and arts and crafts, puzzles and quizzes for those who prefer a quiet evening with friends.
They also run an Outreach Academy that provides lifelong learning to people aged 19+. It helps students to develop their social, work and life skills in a supported environment that enables them to reach their potential. Sessions run every weekday and include Active in the community and environment, cooking, dance, functional skills, social enterprise and yoga.
We awarded City of Chelmsford Mencap a grant of £8,250 to continue the employment of two family support workers.
Emergency funding helps keep food on the shelves of local foodbank
29th March 2023
People in Ilford who are affected by the cost-of-living crisis, will be able to access continued help from their local foodbank, thanks to emergency support given by Douglas Allen Estate Agents.
The funding is part of a wider campaign by the local Estate Agents to support foodbanks near to their branches in West Essex and East London.
The Redbridge Foodbank, which covers the Ilford area, has four distribution centres across the town and has received £5,000 from the Douglas Allen Emergency Fund.
The Fund is administered by Essex Community Foundation (ECF) and since it was set up in December 2022, the Fund, has given grants totalling over £100,000 to help those most in need.
Jocelyn Davis, from Redbridge Foodbank, said: “This financial year 2022/23, we have given out on average 266 food parcels every week, which is a 58% increase on last year, and are constantly needing to replenish our stocks. The support from Douglas Allen Estate Agents is greatly appreciated and much needed by the individuals and families who are struggling financially at this difficult time.”
In addition to their Emergency Fund, and since January, Douglas Allen Estate Agents have been donating £100 to local community food banks every time they attend a property valuation. Staff have also been visiting their local foodbanks to learn more about their work, volunteer time and raise awareness of the food banks in their local area.
Group Managing Director, Aldo Sotgiu, said “It has been a truly humbling experience for all of us to learn more about how foodbanks support our local communities. To be able to support and provide help in a way that gives back to our community is a great feeling and there is still so much more we need to do over the coming months. I just want to take this opportunity to extend a huge thank you to all our staff and customers who have made this possible.”
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is affecting so many people and Douglas Allen Estate Agents have, once again, put their charitable foot forward to help their local communities. We are pleased to be working with them to support the vital running costs of local charities at this challenging time.”
To find out more or to apply for a grant, click here or call us on 01245 355947.
The Redbridge Foodbank is open:
Jubilee Church Ilford (Tues, Wed, Sat)
All Saints Goodmayes (Fri-am)
Woodford Baptist Church (Fri-pm)
Grange Hill Methodist (Sat)
To find out more, visit https://redbridge.foodbank.org.uk.
We are committed to being a flexible funder
We have signed up to be an open and trusting grantmaker, as part of an initiative from IVAR that is supported by London Funders and developed in collaboration with a small group of UK foundations and charities.
IVAR are calling on funders to adopt simpler, more flexible practices that make life easier for those they fund, in light of the ongoing uncertainty caused by Covid-19. Their ambition is to see these commitments extend beyond the crisis: to become standard practice in the sector.
We are one of over 100 funders who have signed up to the eight commitments and joined a community with other funders and charities to improve practice together.
As a group, we are all working towards the following eight commitments:
1. Don’t waste time – funders will be open, transparent and clear about all of their priorities, requirements and exclusions.
2. Ask relevant questions – funders will test their application forms to ensure clarity, relevance and avoid repetition, only collecting information that genuinely informs a funding decision.
3. Accept risk – funders will clearly explain how risk is assessed and be realistic about how much assurance applicants can provide.
4. Act with urgency – funders will aim to make decisions as quickly as possible by publishing and sticking to timeframes to ensure they work at a pace that meets the needs of applicant.
5. Be open – funders will provide feedback, including reasons for rejections. They will analyse and share relevant data, including publishing success rates.
6. Enable flexibility – funders will aim to give unrestricted funding; where they can’t (or are a specialist funder), they will ensure their funding is as flexible as possible.
7. Communicate with purpose – a funders contact is positive and purposeful. They will be realistic about their time commitments.
8. Be proportionate – funders will ensure that their formal reporting requirements are well understood, proportionate and meaningful.
You can see who else has signed up, read more about these eight commitments and sign up through IVAR’s website here.
Vital services funded to help Ukrainian Refugees in Essex
23rd March 2023
The Ukraine Refugee Support Project was launched last year, following the invasion of Ukraine. Since then, under the management of Essex Community Foundation, it has helped local charities and community organisations across the county that are providing support for refugees arriving into Essex.
This funding project focused on preparing support for refugees arriving from Ukraine, supporting the direct delivery of services for the refugees and developing longer-term support for their integration.
Among the Essex organisations to receive funding are:
- Unpuzzled Theatre Company (pictured) received £2,800 to adapt a traditional Ukrainian folktale into an interactive theatre workshop for children, young people, and families of the Southend community. This supports community cohesion and building understanding locally of a different culture, and for the refugees taking part, it aids their learning of the English language and making friends.
- Ukrainians in Thurrock Community Group were awarded £2,235 to run a range of activities for refugee families in Thurrock. This includes art, chess, and language clubs.
- Welcome to the UK received £7,000 towards their running costs so they can continue supporting migrant and refugee families in Southend.
- Volya Ukraina received £2,500 to run a community hub for Ukrainian refugees in Colchester, where they can feel safe and welcomed. Activities include mental health therapies, to art and music workshops.
Though a year has passed since the invasion of Ukraine, its impact will undoubtedly last for many years to come, continuing to inflict suffering on the millions of displaced Ukrainians around Europe.
Sadly, Ukraine is but one of the many countries facing conflict and discrimination around the world, with thousands of people being forced to flee their homes every day. The work being done by community organisations in Essex is helping to ensure displaced individuals and families escaping conflict and discrimination get the help they need.
Rosemary Macdonald, CEO at UKCF, said: “These UK projects are vital to the long-term inclusion and integration of refugees and asylum seekers who are hoping for a safer life. They did not choose this direction and should have every opportunity to feel welcomed and included in their new communities. With flexible funding from partners like the Freemasons’ charity, these essential services can continue to provide this support and help people to rebuild their lives.”
Les Hutchinson, Chief Executive of the Masonic Charitable Foundation, the Freemasons’ charity, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to offer significant aid to many Ukrainians who have arrived in this country. They have abandoned everything in a country grappling with the consequences of a catastrophic conflict, and I am proud that the assistance provided by the Freemasons is making such a difference.”
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “Arriving into a country where you may not have been before, to a language you might not speak fluently, and needing to rely on others for help, is overwhelming. Charities are helping people to find their way, to build support networks and to settle into their new communities. Funding like this from the Freemasons’ is supporting their vital work, and we are pleased to work with them to get grants out to Essex groups.”
To apply for funding, click here.