“Lifeline” organisation receives significant funding boost

12th July 2021

West Essex based disability charity Accuro (Care Services) have been awarded £20,000 from the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF).

The funding, which comes from the Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme, will be used by the charity to help with the additional costs associated with tackling COVID-19, keeping clubs and services safe and the R rate low.

The charity provides social and leisure opportunities for children, young people and adults with a disability across West Essex, enabling members to make friends, build confidence and self-esteem and develop life skills.

During the national lockdowns and while restrictions were in place, Accuro had to suspend face to face services, quickly taking to online sessions via Zoom and support calls over the phone, keeping members connected with friends from their clubs and the Accuro team.

In a recent survey of its members and their families, the charity found that while the online provisions during the national lockdown were well received, members were keen to return to in-person clubs and services when it was safe to do so.

Accuro’s Operations Manager Alison McKeown commented, “At Accuro, we aim to reduce loneliness and social isolation among people with a disability and to do this, the provision of in-person services is incredibly important.

“The additional costs associated with keeping our clubs and services safe and operational at this time are significant, so we were thrilled to be awarded this funding. This grant will help us to provide essential equipment and training, ensuring the safety of our members, staff and volunteers.

“As in-person clubs and services return, this funding will enable Accuro to help keep people safe and be able to continue providing in person COVID-secure activities and new projects outside including a walking group for adults.

Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “During the pandemic Accuro quickly moved their sessions online, providing virtual activities as well as emotional support.   This was a lifeline for their members during a very difficult time and we are pleased to support Accuro as they take the first steps to resume their normal activities.”

To find out more about Accuro (Care Services), please visit www.accuro.org.uk

SUPPORT ECF’S ACORN FUND CHALLENGE and help local charities  like Accuro.

ECF is running the ‘Acorn Fund Challenge’, appealing for donations and matching them on a 2 to 1 basis.  This means that for every £2 received, ECF will add £1, and if Gift Aid can be claimed, it nearly doubles the value of donations.

• Give online through: https://justgiving.com/campaign/ECFAcorn
• To give by card over the phone call us on 01245 355947
• Send a cheque to Essex Community Foundation at 121 New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0QT.
• Speak to us if you want to make a donation by bank transfer or to set up a regular gift
• For more information email perry@essexcf.org.uk

Local charity reopens with a splash

A water activities centre set in the Lee Valley Country Park is making a splash after re-opening for customers in a Covid-secure way.

New outdoor handwashing facilities and other measures to combat Coronavirus have been installed at The ESSA Water Activities Centre, thanks to a grant of £2,000 from the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF.)

Now people of all ages can once again enjoy activities on the centre’s beautiful 22-acre lagoon in Nazeing, Broxbourne.

ESSA, a registered charity and RYA training centre, caters for schools,youth groups, individuals, families, corporate events and parties and runs a wide range of courses and activities.

The charity’s work helps young people to achieve their full potential physically, intellectually and socially through sailing and other water-based activities.

Training courses and activities for all ages at the centre include RYA sailing, RYA Powerboat and Safety boat, RYA Windsurfing, Dragon Boat helm, traditional rafting award, British Canoeing  Start and Discover courses,  Kayaking, Foundation Safety and Rescue training, Mega SUP and wobble boarding.

Volunteers play an important role at the centre. Several have gone into sea-based careers or sports associated industries and one was inspired to take up their education in marine biology.

When ESSA was looking to re-open after lockdown extra facilities were needed to ensure the centre complied with all the relevant Covid regulations and guidelines.

The grant from ECF helped ESSA meet the cost of installing new outdoor handwashing facilities which included new water pipe laying. The centre has also introduced ways to ensure social distancing and resources to deep clean every boat after use.

Kevin Downton, treasurer at ESSA said: “We are grateful to ECF for the grant which made it possible to re-open ESSA in a Covid secure way and provide hygienic outdoor hand washing facilities for our customers.

“We have had very positive customer feedback about our re-opening and that we are operating in a Covid secure manner.”

To discuss your funding needs, please call the ECF grants team on 01245 356018.

SUPPORT ECF’S ACORN FUND CHALLENGE and help local charities and groups like ESSA.

ECF is running the ‘Acorn Fund Challenge’, appealing for donations and matching them on a 2 to 1 basis.  This means that for every £2 received, ECF will add £1, and if Gift Aid can be claimed, it nearly doubles the value of donations.

• Give online through: https://justgiving.com/campaign/ECFAcorn
• To give by card over the phone call us on 01245 355947
• Send a cheque to Essex Community Foundation at 121 New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0QT.
• Speak to us if you want to make a donation by bank transfer or to set up a regular gift
• For more information email perry@essexcf.org.uk

Fund launched to help communities tackle local issues

5th July 2021

Applications are now open for a community fund which tackles the big issues that matter to Braintree District residents.

Voluntary and community organisations are being invited to apply to the Braintree District and Eastlight Community Fund, run by Braintree District Council and Eastlight Community Homes.

For the first time, grants of between £500 and £5,000 are available for smaller scale grassroots organisations that make a big impact for people in the Braintree district. Larger awards of up to £40,000 over three years continue to be available.

A panel made up of Eastlight and Braintree District Council representatives especially want to hear about schemes which address the challenges which concern Braintree residents as we emerge from the pandemic.

Organisations that can apply for this funding include charities, residents’ groups, social enterprises and other non-profit organisations.

Projects should either improve health and wellbeing, provide opportunities for young people or offer training to local people to improve their skills.

James Green, Eastlight’s Community Investment Director, said: “This fund is here to support brilliant projects that help local people with the issues they care deeply about.

“During the pandemic, we saw local community groups and smaller organisations offering a lifeline to people in Braintree district. The smaller grants we’re introducing could enable a range of organisations to continue their fantastic work.”

Last year, grants included £20,000 to Action for Family Carers to support young carers and £31,832 to Braintree, Halstead & Witham Citizens Advice to help disabled people.

Councillor Frankie Ricci, Cabinet Member for Communities at Braintree District Council, said: “Braintree District Council are proud to continue partnering with Eastlight Community Homes for this fund which will make a real difference to our communities. The introduction of the smaller grants will hopefully encourage a wider range of groups to access vital funding to support those in need within our communities.”

The Fund is managed by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF), which has a strong track record of supporting community organisations to access the funding and support they need.

Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF said: “This Fund is a great resource for charities and voluntary groups working in Braintree District to tap into.

“We know that a small amount of money can go a long way in helping to deliver local projects and activities and we urge organisations to contact us to discuss their ideas and funding needs.”

How to apply:

For more information on eligibility and to complete our online application form, please click here.

You are also encouraged to call the ECF grants team to discuss your idea and funding needs in advance of completing this.

The deadline to submit is 5pm on Friday 27 August.

Former Loughton teacher awarded BEM in Queen’s Honours

15th June 2021

A former teacher from Loughton, who has committed her life to bringing people together and helping those in need has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Joyce Obaseki has been awarded a British Empire Medal in recognition of her hard work and dedication after founding Grant a Smile six years ago.

She launched the not-for-profit after discovering that there was no support available for children like one of her pupils, who came to school in a dirty uniform because his mother, who had cancer, was too ill to provide him with clean clothes.

The boy was being bullied at school because of his unkempt appearance and Joyce became determined to give youngsters like him the help they need.

Grant A Smile gives free practical support for eligible families whose home life is affected by serious illness. They also try to grant special wishes for children and Joyce has set her sights on expanding the organisation’s work to help vulnerable and elderly people.

Joyce said, “I was so surprised when I heard I was to receive this award.  I had no idea I had been nominated and it was such a shock to get a letter from the Cabinet Office.  It gives recognition to the organisation and particularly our work during the pandemic.

“I want to thank everyone for helping us to stay consistent and keep our mission alive. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful team of volunteers who I believe are the true Smile Heroes.  I could not do the job without their support.”

Grant A Smile has also received a grant of £11,540 to support their work from the local independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation.

Caroline Taylor, chief executive of ECF, said: “Joyce is a real community champion and it is brilliant to see her get this recognition for all her hard work.  Working within her local community, Joyce and her team can identify and support people who are in need and quickly get them the help that they need.

“During the coronavirus pandemic, Grant A Smile had to prioritise their efforts to help the families in greatest need and we were pleased to support their vital work distributing food parcels in the Loughton area”.

For a full list of everyone who received an Award in Essex this year, click here.

Chelmsford business backs local community

14th June 2021

Local charities are set to benefit from much needed financial support thanks to the local business, Chelmsford Star Co-op (CSC), that has department stores and food shops across mid and South Essex.  

Over the past year, staff, members and customers of CSC have raised an incredible £20,355 for the Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme, managed by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).  This money will give immediate support to local charities that have provided support throughout the pandemic and those that are just starting to re-open.   

Caroline Taylor, CEO at ECF said, “We are extremely grateful to CSC, its staff and customers for raising such an amazing amount of money for our Response and Recovery Programme.  Through this we have been able to provide ongoing financial support to charities that have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic, including those that have struggled to stay open or needed to adapt their services to help people in their local communities.  

“Charities need support now, more than ever, and this additional funding will be a huge boost to them.” 

In addition, CSC has also set up the ‘Chelmsford Star Co-op Community Fund’ to give long-term support to the community.  

Caroline said: “We are delighted that CSC has set up a Fund with us to benefit local charities now and in the future.  This will build on all that the company has given in the past and we look forward to working with them, sharing our knowledge of local issues so they can make decisions on where to give support and understand how their funding is making a difference.”  

For more information about ECF and how you can apply for a grant, please click here or call our friendly grants team on 01245 356018. 

If you are interested to know how we help businesses to give back to voluntary and community organisations in Essex, click here.

Raising aspirations for young people 

9th June 2021

Young people in the Epping Forest area are to be given the chance of a better future through a new project being launched by the Red Balloon Foundation. 

A grant of £4,713 from the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF) has given vital backing to this initiative which will raise the aspirations of young people to achieve successful employment, rather than falling into life of crime. 

The great need for the project became clear when, as part of their outreach work during the COVID-19 pandemic, team members from the Red Balloon Foundation (RBF) delivered more than 6,000 parcels containing food and educational materials to local families. 

“What we saw among many young people was a real loss of hope,” said Luke Lowrie, director of RBF.  

“Their parents had often lost their jobs or were at risk of being out of work due to the pandemic and the young people couldn’t see any prospect of a better future. 

“Although Epping Forest is seen as an affluent area there are several pockets of deprivation. Young people in these areas are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, as they see the ‘rewards’ offered by those recruiting them into criminal activity as the only way of supporting themselves and their families.” 

“The parcels we delivered were a help for the families, but we wanted to do something which would have a positive impact in the longer term. The grant we have received from ECF has enabled us to launch a new intervention programme called ‘Employability’ for young people who are at risk of being exploited by criminals due to them living in poverty. 

”The aim is to raise their aspirations for their futures and build resilience, giving them practical skills and work experience, to show them that their lives can take a different path. 

“The 20-week programme will give them the opportunity of gaining a nationally recognised qualification and will include structured work experience or volunteering and outdoor sessions with our qualified team, to learn problem solving, teamwork and practical skills. Some of the young people will also be allocated a mentor in the community. 

“We believe that this focused intervention will be a transformational experience for those who take part, as the project should do much to divert them from anti-social and potentially criminal behaviour in the future. 

“In the long term we hope to encourage those who complete the programme to come back as volunteers to allow us to engage with as many young people as possible in the future.” 

SUPPORT ECF’S ACORN FUND CHALLENGE and help local charities like RBF. 

ECF is running the ‘Acorn Fund Challenge’, appealing for donations and matching them on a 2 to 1 basis.  This means that for every £2 received, ECF will add £1, and if Gift Aid can be claimed, it nearly doubles the value of donations.   

• Give online here
• To give by card over the phone call us on 01245 355947 
• Send a cheque to Essex Community Foundation at 121 New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0QT
• Speak to us if you want to make a donation by bank transfer or to set up a regular gift
• For more information email perry@essexcf.org.uk.