Our condolences to The Royal Family
9th September 2022
It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
Her Majesty devoted the past 70 years to serving her country and, throughout her reign, was patron to over 600 charities.
Her visits to see the work of Essex charities were always much looked forward to and enjoyed. Her Majesty was an inspiration to many and she had a deep sense of the importance of communities and the role of the voluntary sector.
Her death comes at a difficult time for many and we remain committed to doing all we can to support those in need and offering people who want to help others, the means to do so.
We send our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to The Royal Family at this difficult time.
A message from HM Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, and our Patron, Jennifer Tolhurst:
This is a day of great sadness for the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
The death of Her Majesty the Queen marks the passing of the Head of a worldwide family of over 2.5 billion people. It was an extraordinarily long reign, the longest of any British Sovereign and we have been extremely fortunate to have in our Queen an outstanding example of service both in wartime and peacetime.
HM The Queen has been a symbol of stability throughout decades in which the world has seen very many changes, and for 73 years of her life, The Queen supported by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh who The Queen described as “her strength and stay”.
One of her most recent visits to Essex was to Chelmsford Cathedral to mark the 100 years of the Chelmsford Diocese. Hundreds of well-wishers came to great HM The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh as they always did when The Queen visited.
We want to send our very deepest condolences to all members of the Royal Family at this sad and momentous time as we look back with deep gratitude and we look forward to offering our support and loyalty to The King.
Rural community gains lifesaving equipment
24th August 2022
A disused BT telephone kiosk on the rural outskirts of Saffron Walden will potentially save lives having been repurposed to hold a defibrillator, thanks to a grant from Essex Heart Fund as well as from others.
The request for a defibrillator, which can be accessed by any member of the public with a code, came from the Audley End Community Project as their nearest available one was “two miles away in either direction”.
Essex Heart Fund (EHF) is managed through the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF), and was set up by two local cardiologists to provide better support for Essex patients and to fund lifesaving research.
Deb Manchip, who co-ordinated the installation of the defibrillator, said: “It was important that we found the funding needed to install a defibrillator in the village as the nearest one was two miles away in either direction, and it’s the same distance to the nearest doctor.
“It brings a lot of comfort for people locally to know that if someone has a cardiac arrest in the village, we now have the equipment that could save their life.”
She added, “We are hosting regular sessions to ensure that local people are trained in how to use the equipment and feel confident in doing so”.
Dr Gerald Clesham, cardiologist and co-founder of EHF, said: “If a defibrillator is used on someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest within the first minute, the survival rate can be as high as 90%.
“It is vital that smaller, rural communities like Audley End have access to this life-saving equipment and know how to use it correctly, should tragedy strike.
“We are pleased to have funded this defibrillator and have a number of other local projects underway to help people with heart conditions in the community, and through research, which is all thanks to local people who donate to the Essex Heart Fund.”
For more information about EHF and to donate, visit essexheartfund.org.uk.
If you are in need of grant, please contact the ECF grants team on 01245 356018.
Giving with a warm heart
23rd August 2022
Atul Manek’s extraordinary life journey has taken him from being an immigrant at 10-years-old to achieving a highly successful 30-year career in financial services.
Now, having retired aged 60, he is embarking on a new phase in his life, helping people to have better lives, using what he has learned and what he has earned through experience and dedicated work.
Establishing a family fund with the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF) and joining the organisation’s board as a new trustee are the two elements which will enable Atul and his family to have a positive and enduring impact, both in the county of Essex and internationally.
“I have been very lucky to have had a successful and financially rewarding career,” said Atul, who lives in Shenfield.
“We came here to the UK from Uganda in 1972 months before president Idi Amin expelled Asians from the country. We arrived with nothing, when I was 10 years old. Luckily, I had a sister already studying here and she helped us to settle down. We needed to work for everything we had and I feel fortunate to have been able to build up my career.
“Knowing that I had enough money to live comfortably I wanted to give to good causes, but didn’t know the best way of doing that.
“I had given to some causes on an ad-hoc basis, but wanted something that would endure, where you could see the results of the support you are giving. I didn’t want to set up my own charity and have the burden of all the necessary administration and governance that involves.
“It was my financial adviser Dan Haylett who introduced me to Essex Community Foundation. Setting up a family fund with them has been ideal, as they take on the running of it and do it so well. I can help charities meet their objectives, in a hands-on way too, and my family will be involved in deciding which to support.
“I have been very struck by a question Dan poses to people who want to give. He asks them, ‘Wouldn’t you prefer to give your money away with a warm heart rather than a cold hand?’ In other words, he recommends giving while you are able to, in your lifetime.
“I think working with the non-profit sector is going to be very interesting. After setting up the Manek Foundation with ECF I was so inspired by their work I put myself forward as a trustee and was delighted to be asked to join the Board. I have a lot of executive experience and I believe my skills can transfer very well to the charity sector.
“I am looking forward to spreading the word about ECF and discovering more about Essex, having lived in London until 2005 and, until I retired recently, spending so much time in London for work.”
Atul and his wife Carole, a former IT professional in the City, along with daughters Krishni, Georgie and Grace will be working with ECF to give grants to organisations in Essex dealing with children’s causes, education, minority communities, refugees and asylum seekers, environmental issues and domestic abuse. The Fund will also make designated donations to chosen charities working internationally.
Carole helped establish and now runs the Women and Girls section for Hutton Cricket club where both Georgie and Grace play for the Women’s team having been founding members 10 years ago.
Krishni is currently based in New Zealand running her own web design business.
Georgie is at Leeds University studying Digital Media and is about to embark on a year at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
Grace is waiting for her A-Level results and is hoping to go to Liverpool University to study Criminology.
Travel and following cricket, a great passion in the family, will also be on the agenda for Atul and Carole.
Having come such a long way since arriving on these shores as a 10-year-old, Atul is all set to embark on his new endeavour with ECF.
If giving during your lifetime is of interest to you, why not give us a call. Click here to find out more or call Perry Norton, Head of Development, on 01245 355947 or e-mail perry@essexcf.org.uk
Funding for Mid and South Essex to address health inequalities
8th August 2022
We are working with NHS Mid and South Essex to support marginalised communities, helping to address health inequalities for people who have mental health problems.
To be eligible to apply, charities and community groups must be working in Mid and South Essex (Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Maldon, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, and Thurrock).
There is £185,000 in grants available from the ‘Mid and South Essex Mental Health Inequalities Programme’ to support either revenue costs, projects or capital costs.
Applications from these areas must be for work that:
- Focus on historically underserved communities
- Help us learn how to improve the accessibility and inclusiveness of mental health support for people experiencing mental health inequalities
- Offer innovation and originality in supporting these groups of people to achieve their goals
Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 can be given to individual organisations. Grants of up to £30,000 are available for organisations that are working together in a partnership to tackle an issue in their community.
The panel are keen to hear from community and voluntary organisations who have ideas for projects and initiatives that will reduce the health inequalities for marginalised and historically underserved communities.
How do I apply?
As we have received a high level of applications to this Programme, we are not accepting further applications at this time. However, if your organisation is still in need of funding please call our grants team on 01245 355947.
Helping people to manage
28th July 2022
A local charity is giving residents in Waltham Abbey advice on money management and is helping them to tackle anxieties about how they will make ends meet as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.
The demand for financial advice and the impact money worries has on people’s mental well-being is rising rapidly, causing Citizens Advice to issue a red alert warning for crisis support.
Citizens Advice Epping Forest District tells us that 46% of people with debt have a mental health problem.
To help tackle this issue locally, they launched a financial and mental health well-being programme. Following its success, they have received a grant of £10,000 from Essex Community Foundation (ECF) to extend the pilot into a 12-month project.
The project aims to tackle the clear links between poor financial well-being and poor mental health by providing a community hub service that delivers financial advice, mental health support and help to access employment opportunities. This well-rounded approach means people who are struggling to cope are supported holistically and have solutions that will provide lasting change.
Jo O’Boyle, CEO of CA Epping Forest District said, “Everyone understands that the cost-of-living has increased, with electricity bills and petrol prices soaring, and with some bills predicted to rise even more in October, we recognised that intensive support was needed locally.
“People are coming to us worried about how they will make their budgets, which in most cases are already tight, even tighter. Some people are at the point where their income does not meet essential costs, let alone covering payments to reduce debt if they have any.
“Financial difficulties are a common cause of stress, and we are determined to help people feel more confident when it comes to money, support them to find job opportunities, and ultimately improve their mental health.”
For free, confidential, and impartial advice, contact Citizens Advice Epping Forest District from Tuesday to Thursday from 9:30am to 2:30pm on 0808 278 7855.
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “It is important to us that our grantmaking responds to emerging needs of our communities, so when Citizens Advice came to us for funding, we were pleased we could help.
“Their project teaches people money skills, and in turn boosts their mental health as they start to feel more in control.
“It is a worrying time for people financially and local charities like the Citizens Advice are a vital source of information and advice.”
Charities and community groups working in Essex can apply to ECF for funding. Click here to apply for support or call the ECF grants team on 01245 355947.
Twenty youngsters set sail on a voyage of discovery thanks to Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund
27th July 2022
Twenty local youngsters will set sail on a four-night adventure voyage from Harwich to Portsmouth, thanks to support from the Mayflower Legacy Fund set up by the town’s Mayor, Cllr Ivan Henderson and other local organisations.
The young people, made up of 15 boys and five girls aged 12 to 15, were chosen to go on the trip from three local organisations, Harwich Home Start, Teen Talk Harwich and Harwich and Dovercourt High School.
The young people and their four youth workers will depart from Harwich’s Ha’Penny Pier on Tuesday 9 August, onboard two 72ft Challenger yachts owned by Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT) — the UK’s oldest and largest youth development sail training charity.
The idea for the trip came from Cllr Henderson in preparation for his 2021 Mayoral Year and to mark the 400th anniversary sailing of the Mayflower from Harwich to Portsmouth. Due to delays and restrictions caused by the Covid pandemic his Mayoral Year has been extended for a further year to enable projects like this to come to fruition.
Cllr Henderson also set up the Mayflower Legacy Fund with Essex Community Foundation (ECF) to give long-term support to charities and voluntary groups in Harwich.
Cllr Henderson said: “I wanted the fund to have a link to the ongoing maritime history of Harwich and importantly, to build up over time and create a legacy that supports and benefits local people for years to come.
“As part of this, I’m delighted that we’ve been able to give 20 local young people a residential sailing opportunity, which otherwise they wouldn’t have had. The experience will be one of personal development and discovery for the young people and will stay with them forever, helping them to shape their lives positively.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has helped to turn this project into a reality and ensure the young people are prepared and have everything they need for their voyage. It really has been a combined effort and is only happening because of the generosity and contributions of all those involved.”
Onboard the Challenger yachts, which were built in 2000 and are famous for having sailed twice round the world as part of the Global Challenge Races, the young people will get involved in all aspects of sailing and crewing the boats. From start to finish they’ll be doing everything from steering to food preparation, maintenance and cleaning.
Importantly, they’ll be supported by TSYT’s professionally trained crew who work with young people to increase their practical life skills as well as develop their personal and social skills.
Chas Cowell, Youth Development and Volunteer Manager at TSYT, said: “We’re really excited to welcome the young people onboard especially after the setbacks caused by the pandemic, which have exacerbated some of the difficulties many were already facing and now need extra support for.
“We believe all young people should have the opportunity to take part in a transformational voyage with us. Thanks to the Mayflower Legacy Fund and the generosity of local organisations and businesses, this is a reality for these 20 young people.”Caroline Taylor, CEO at ECF concluded that a lot of hard work has gone into making this project happen.
She said: “We have been pleased to work with our fundholders, helping them to meet their charitable wishes and ensure these young people have an adventure of a lifetime.
“The Mayflower Legacy Fund is a great way for local people and businesses to keep their giving local, either through donations or as part of a legacy, and support charities and voluntary groups in Harwich and Dovercourt year on year.”
As well as the Mayflower Leqacy Fund, the project is being supported by the Milsom Charitable Fund and the Minter Family Fund, both managed by ECF, Galloper Wind Farm, The Alma Inn and Harwich Haven Authority. In addition, Harwich Connexions, with support from ECF, is providing the transport to collect the young people from Portsmouth and bring them back to Harwich.
Paul Milsom, Managing Director at Milsom Hotels said: “Supporting young people and helping to build their skills and aspirations is at the heart of what we want our charitable fund with ECF to achieve.
“As a local business in Harwich, we were keen to be involved in this project from the start and combining our support with others for what I am sure will be an experience of a lifetime for those taking part.”
Sean Chenery, General Manager at Galloper Wind Farm added: “We are always looking at ways to get young people involved in maritime activities. This project is such a great opportunity, and we are pleased to provide each young person with a bag and accessories to help them navigate their way through their voyage.”
The Alma Inn in Harwich has provided the young people with sweatshirts. Nick May from The Alma Inn, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this project. Providing the young people with matching sweatshirts will hopefully help them to feel like a team from the start.”
Neil Glendinning, CEO at Harwich Haven Authority, added: “As a Trust Port, supporting our local communities along the Haven and in Harwich, is an intrinsic part of our work.
“We didn’t hesitate to be part of this project and are pleased to offer our professional expertise and technical support to Tall Ships Youth Trust to ensure their vessels are berthed safely.”
Support the Fund:
Supporters can make a donation via Justgiving: bit.ly/2Q1nghT or send a cheque made payable to Essex Community Foundation to 3 Hoffmanns Way, Chelmsford, CM1 1GU.
Please note on the back of the cheque that you would like your donation to go to the ‘Mayflower Legacy Fund’.
For more information and to find out how you can support the Fund call ECF on 01245 355947.