Revealing how COVID-19 has impacted local groups
8th October 2020
We launched our community listening project, ECF Listens, by surveying over 800 organisations about the impact COVID-19 has had on their work.
An amazing 323 voluntary organisations responded and we hosted a Zoom webinar on 24 September to reveal and discuss our findings with them. The event provided a space for reflection and to start a conversation to identify areas of work that we could prioritise within our grantmaking.
This online event was chaired by Jo Wells, Director of the Blagrave Trust and one of our Trustees. Joining the conversation with Jo was Rachel Brett, CEO of the Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services and Sharon Alexander, CEO of Tendring CVS and Andy Payne Warpole, Head of Programmes at ECF.
It enabled us to bring organisations of all sizes together, acknowledging the strength and importance of their work in their local communities at such a time of crisis. During the webinar, we discussed the contribution from, and the impact on, small grassroots organisations, explore opportunities where they could work more closely together, and the importance of being able to share ideas and concerns, so they are not alone in facing this challenge.
We also discussed the impact COVID-19 has had on the mental health of their teams, the need to strengthen leadership and governance of grassroots groups, the importance of attracting funds to cover core costs and the loss of volunteers due to restrictions.
Matt King, from Trust Links, commented: “It is great to see that ECF is listening to its grantees and is keen to respond to the needs of charities and groups in a holistic and thoughtful way. ECF has a crucial role to play both in providing vital funding, and in helping to build the capacity of groups to respond to the needs of people. COVID-19 has had a profound effect on charities and community groups, reducing our fundraising income and increasing demand on our services. I congratulate ECF in taking a leading role in highlighting this dilemma and working to help address it”
Key findings:
-1 in 4 face real financial challenges
-2 in 5 have modified their delivery model
-1 in 5 had to stop delivery completely
You can watch the webinar below:
Helping local charities to survive challenging times
3rd September 2020
Charities and voluntary organisations struggling to survive and keep their services going during these unprecedented and challenging times, have been given a lifeline by Essex Community Foundation (ECF), which has distributed grants totalling almost £5 million over the past 12 months.
City of Chelmsford Mencap, the Essex-wide CVS voluntary services network and the Colchester-based organisation, African Families in the UK, are among those given urgent funding from ECF, a leading independent charitable trust.
Ever since it was founded in 1996, ECF has been at the forefront of supporting voluntary and community organisations in Essex by awarding grants from the charitable funds it manages on behalf of philanthropic families, individuals, businesses and public agencies.
Now ECF’s work is more vital than ever, as the coronavirus pandemic has had the devastating double effect of hitting the finances of charities and voluntary groups at a time when they are trying to meet an increasing demand.
Caroline Taylor, chief executive of ECF said: “We have a long-established and close relationship with the voluntary sector in Essex and are acutely aware that they are heading towards a cliff-edge, desperately needing core funding to survive. The coronavirus pandemic has had a catastrophic effect on fundraising events and many charities and voluntary organisations are struggling to keep going.
“The fact that we have been able to award grants totalling almost £5 million over the past year, as well as taking immediate action through our Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme, has been a lifeline for many voluntary sector groups in the county.
“We have been especially pleased to support projects set up by volunteers and community hubs that have helped vulnerable people and also organisations that quickly adapted their services to meet local needs. We know there will be further difficult times ahead for the voluntary sector, but we will be there to help, now and in the future.
“Even though we awarded a record amount over the last 12 months, we are still not able to fund all of the requests that we receive. If local people or businesses want to support charities and community groups in Essex, please contact us through our website, by e-mail or telephone. We also encourage voluntary organisations and community groups to keep in contact and follow us on social media as we are promoting new funding opportunities all of the time.”
Funding from ECF enabled City of Chelmsford Mencap to establish a “Virtual Academy” during lockdown. Grace Lidstone, services manager for the charity said: “We had to close our lifelong learning service and social clubs for adults with a learning disability.
“The Virtual Academy has helped prevent service users from losing skills and becoming socially isolated. We have been able to provide our usual timetable online or by telephone, and specialist staff made regular welfare checks on the most vulnerable people. The grant from ECF helped to fund staff, tutors and additional resources.”
African Families in the UK, based in Colchester, adapted its services for the BAME community also received funding through ECF’s COVID-19 response initiative.
Rachel Walton, BAME Community Development Consultant and co-Founder of African Families in the UK said: “Initial panic buying of foods and delays in deliveries during lockdown, caused difficulties in finding culturally appropriate food.
“The funding we received from ECF enabled us to help 52 families, 15 of whom are from the Bangladeshi community, providing food and support. This brought so many families peace of mind, but we have many who still require our assistance.
“We have also been able to provide training and help people get back to work as this is affecting their household income and ability to feed their family.”
The Essex-wide Community Voluntary Service (CVS) Network has played a pivotal role in the county throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, rising to the challenge of supporting the voluntary sector and their communities and co-ordinating a local response to help people in need. Chelmsford CVS was among the organisations across the county to receive a grant from ECF and the funding helped launch a volunteer initiative.
Lorraine Jarvis, CEO of Chelmsford CVS said: “The community response to help those isolated due to the pandemic, has been incredible, especially at a very local level. As a charity that supports voluntary action, we received hundreds of calls from people wanting to help or seeking guidance on how to set up a neighbourhood support group.
“We checked and signed up 176 amazing volunteers who began picking up requests for support from our helpline. We worked in partnership with Chelmsford City Council and their staff and council members rallied quickly, with over 100 coming forward to help with emergency food delivery.
“Within days of lockdown, people began to self-mobilise and over 30 new volunteer groups were also ready to help their neighbours. Thousands of local people, in a co‑ordinated effort, helped those isolated and vulnerable across Chelmsford. Our heartfelt thanks and that of the community, go to all.”
For more information about ECF, how to support local charities through them or to apply for a grant, visit their website www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk or call 01245 355947.
Essex entrepreneur pledges to support people struggling with their mental health
17th August 2020
Aron Priest’s path in life has taken him from incredible peaks to the deepest depths. He left school without qualifications, took an apprenticeship as a printer and went on to become a self-made millionaire after selling his pioneering online printing business.
In 2018 he was made a Freeman of the City of London to mark his outstanding 30-year contribution to the printing industry.
A cycling accident led to one of the greatest challenges of his life, dealing with post-traumatic stress syndrome. Now Aron’s experiences and determination to help others have led to the latest step in his remarkable life, the launch of a charitable fund, The Priest Foundation.
The fund is being managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF) and will give grants to people with mental health problems so they can access the counselling they need.
Aron has joined the ranks of a growing number of local philanthropists who have set up named funds with ECF to give back to the communities where they have strong business and family connections.
From an early age Aron, who lives in Rayleigh showed his entrepreneurial and hard-working nature. He grew up in Hullbridge and attended The Park School in Rayleigh, leaving in 1988.
He said: “I had various jobs while I was at school, including paper boy, milkman and greengrocer. I had a decision to make about my future when I left school, as my grades really were not great, a D in pottery was my highest score.
“I chose to go into printing, as my Grandad was a printer and so was my Dad. I had a look through the Yellow Pages listings and rang all the printing companies from A onwards. I got to D and I managed to get myself an interview with a company called Dellprint.
“I got the job, but the wage was only £50 a week, so I went home spoke to my Dad. I was on £90 a week as a greengrocer at the time, but my Dad immediately told me to go with the printing apprenticeship. So, in 1988 at the age of 16, I started my five-year apprenticeship. When I finished, I was still on £50 a week, so I moved on soon afterwards.
“I had a burning desire to work for myself and in 2000 I opened up a company called ACP Print. I met my business partner, Andy Smith, shortly after that and we joined forces, trading as Solopress.
“We moved online in 2005 which propelled us into a new stratosphere. We were a great team and before long we had 100 staff and achieved a 30 percent growth year on year. It was never our intention to sell the business, but a company made an offer to buy the firm in 2015. The deal didn’t come to fruition, but the offer helped us to realise we had something tangible to sell.
“So, in 2017 we negotiated a deal with a large group called Online Printers. This allowed me to stay on if I chose to and I am now in a new role, as an active adviser to the company. When we sold, we had 350 employees and we were turning over £31 million, the timing couldn’t have been better.
“I wanted to give something to give back to the industry, which I do by giving tours at the great Stationers Hall in London which gives people an insight into the history of print. I am also volunteering in schools to help mentor young people who are on the cusp of taking their GCSEs, to let them know that if you are not academic there are other options, such as apprenticeships.
“My involvement with ECF and my motivation to help others facing mental health problems came about because of my own experiences. In 2014 I had an accident on my road bike during a race called the Tour of Dengie. Afterwards I was diagnosed PTSD and I had no idea what that was.
“I just I knew I wasn’t myself for a very long time. I struggled being around lots of people and felt very depressed, something I had never believed in before. Fortunately, I had private health insurance to get the support I needed, and I was lucky enough to see a therapist for the next year. With the support of my family and exercise I got myself back on track and I will never forget the people who helped me.
“I realised there are many people out there suffering in silence with their mental health, so in 2019 I decided I wanted to give something back and started The Priest Foundation. I set up the fund with ECF because they do all the administration for the charity, which allows me, my family and friends to concentrate on fundraising.
“All requests for grants will come through ECF who will then provide us with the information so that as a family we can make decisions on who to help. My wife Lee and our children Ella, who is 19 and Macie, aged 13, are all going to be involved in fundraising, with various events such as mud runs, a Halloween Ball and cycling events. I would like to keep fundraising until I can’t do so anymore.
“We have just developed a website and a JustGiving page and have various ways of donating. I’m really enthused by the passion everyone has shown to want to help people in our community.
The more money we have in the Foundation, the more people we can help in the Rochford and Southend areas to access the support they need and get on the road to recovery.”
For information on how we help individuals and families to fulfill their charitable wishes and why they choose to give through us, click here.
Local businessman leaves a lasting legacy for Essex charities
6th August 2020
A new fund launched in memory of pioneering local businessman Bill Southern is to give vital long-term support to charities and voluntary groups across Essex.
Bill, who died in December 2018 aged 82, set up Southern Supplies with his wife Jean 50 years ago.
An enthusiastic supporter of local charities, Bill wanted this support to continue after he died. His wishes have been granted with the creation of the Bill Southern Legacy Fund, which is being run by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF.)
Jean said: “Bill and our children, Moira and Gordon and son in law, Ian, did many fundraising activities, including parachute jumps, abseiling, 100km walks and organising a charity ball. One of our staff members had a child with Downs Syndrome and we still support the charity that helped them.
“ECF appealed to us as Bill’s Legacy Fund would benefit the Essex area long-term and we as a family could be involved in decisions about giving grants which would make a difference.”
Bill was born and grew up in Glasgow and was one of seven children. From birth he had sight in only one eye.
Jean said: “This did not deter him in any way, in fact, if anything, it made him more determined. He left Glasgow when he was about 23 to find work and further his career. Bill and I met in Putney, London. We were married in September 1965 and set up Southern Supplies in 1969. Bill had spotted the opportunity to start a business selling mostly to the garage trade from a mobile van racked out with supplies. We moved to South Woodham Ferrers in 1971 and in 1976 the firm expanded into one of the first industrial units in the town. We traded mostly in Essex and East London and had a retail shop on New Street in Chelmsford.”
Bill and Jean built up the company together, with Jean working as company secretary and office manager and Bill in sales. When they retired, they enjoyed travelling and cruising, visiting many places around the world. Bill loved to explore.
The fund will be a lasting tribute to Bill who had a legendary zest for life and was known in South Woodham Ferrers as one of the ”Three Wise Men” who set up one of the first businesses on the industrial estate, in what was then a new town.
The couple’s son Gordon said: “Dad was a big character, known to all for his hospitality, generosity and gregariousness. He had endless energy, momentum, wit and charm. Only poor health in later years could slow him down.”
Bill’s generosity will live on through the fund established in his name which will be a credit to the enduring memory of a loving and wise man.
Bringing people together one stitch at a time
9th June 2020
Essex Knitters and Stitchers are ensuring that more people in the county can enjoy the feeling of a tight-knit community, while helping good causes.
The voluntary organisation for craft enthusiasts has launched new groups in Colchester and Clacton, thanks to £500 worth of funding from the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
The Essex Knitters and Stitchers now have 15 groups across the county, with more than 130 members who are looking forward to meeting again once current restrictions are eased.
Wendy Morrissey, organiser of Essex Knitters and Stitchers said: “We are very pleased to have had the grant to set up groups in Colchester and Clacton as we haven’t covered the North Essex area before. The new groups just got going before the lockdown and we will re-start as soon as we can.
“Our aim is to provide a welcoming place for anyone interested in knitting and stitching. While we haven’t been able to get together, we have kept in contact and some members have had virtual meetings.
“We make a wide variety of items to support charities, care homes, hospices, hospitals and homeless shelters in our area. During lockdown the knitters have been busy making headbands for the NHS and the sewers have been making scrubs.
“We also make other items including teddies for children who have experienced trauma, welcome bags for women’s refuges, wheelchair blankets, ‘fiddle cuffs’ for people with dementia and premature baby items.
“Our members enjoy being creative and productive and it gives a sense of fulfilment to know that what they are making will help other people.
“We already support charities in Colchester, such as the hospital, Women’s Refuge Centre and the homeless shelter. The new groups will be able to continue to support these charities and, by having another group in Clacton, members can become involved in projects in this area.
“Our groups are also very important in combating isolation, people who join make new friendships and enjoy getting together socially.”
Essex Knitters and Stitchers was launched in 2015, following in the footsteps of similar projects in Norfolk.
Julie Fosh, the recently appointed High Sheriff of Essex and her 93‑year-old mother, Joy Rogers, are among the founder members in Essex, attending a group that normally meets in Maldon library.
Julie said: “The ECF grant is a really welcome boost. It will enable Essex Knitters and Stitchers to extend our reach into the county, benefiting more people at risk of social isolation.
“The lockdown has exacerbated the problem of isolation, so any organisations that support and encourage social interaction will be essential as we work our way out of this situation.”
Julie is still hopeful that her High Sheriff’s Garden Party can take place at Stow Maries Aerodrome in early September, where one of the attractions will be knitted aeroplanes made by the Knitters and Stitchers.
During her year of office Julie is raising money for the High Sheriffs’ Fund, which is run by ECF and supports charities dealing with crime prevention and community safety.
ECF chosen as Co-op charity of the year
18th May 2020
Two of the county’s strongest community supporters have joined forces for the coming year to help with emergency funding for charitable causes through the Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme.
The initiative was launched in March by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF), to channel desperately needed funds to voluntary organisations during and after the pandemic.
Now it has been announced that Chelmsford Star Co-operative, the Essex-based co-op society, have chosen the Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme as their charity of the year, starting in mid-May.
The partnership means that the Programme, which secured £1.1 million worth of funding during its first month, will be given an extra boost to help local communities.
Barry Wood, chief executive of Chelmsford Star Co-op said: “We are delighted to work with ECF to direct much needed assistance to a wide range of charities and voluntary groups across Essex, who are struggling due to the impact of COVID-19.
“The Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme has been chosen by our directors to be our new charity partner, with all support from colleagues, members and customers being directed towards this until May 2021.
“The Programme provides emergency funding to keep many vital services running across Essex that might otherwise be at risk of closure, both now and as we move forward into the next stages of recovery.
“We have food stores across Essex and our customers and members will also be able to donate in our Quadrant department stores when they reopen, or via our new JustGiving Page.
“We are looking forward to our year of partnership with Essex Community Foundation, and hope this dedicated and local Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme will make a real difference to people and services across Essex.”
Caroline Taylor, chief executive of ECF, said: “We have had strong links with Chelmsford Star Co-op in the past and have always admired their commitment to the community.
The fact that they have chosen our Response and Recovery Programme as their charity of the year is wonderful news and is a great reflection of their community-based approach to charitable giving.
“Their support will enable us to help even more charities and organisations to sustain their services, which are needed more than ever.”