Turning Proceeds of Crime into something good

21st November 2024

Since 2014 we have been managing the Essex Police Proceeds of Crime Matched Funding Scheme (POCA). Under the Scheme, all donations into the High Sheriff’s Fund or to set up individual charitable funds, can be matched with 50% from the monies we receive from Essex Police Proceeds of Crime. The only restriction is that the grantmaking from these Funds must support projects or organisations whose work is contributing to community safety in the county.

To date, the value of the endowed funds set up with support from the matched funding scheme is £1.5 million.

B-J Harrington, Chief Constable at Essex Police said, “It is amazing to see the difference that the Scheme has made and because the funds set up with ECF are invested, they will grow and continue to give money away in the future.

“By confiscating the proceeds of criminal activity, we are making it harder than ever to profit from crime.

“Overall, crime is falling in Essex, but we can’t work alone, and we rely on the support of all our communities to keep that trend going.

“Whether it’s supporting victims, getting children and young people into sport, or giving families a safe place to stay, I’ve seen the extraordinary work of local charities. Together, we are making our county an even safer place to live and work.”

Below are examples of local charities that have received support from the Funds set up with matched funding from the POCA Scheme:

Coach Core Foundation is a charity that aims to improve the life-chances of 16–24-year-olds in Essex and across the UK, who traditionally may experience barriers, discrimination and lack of opportunities. They work with young people from a diverse range of backgrounds and through a sports apprenticeship programme, help them to access the skills, confidence and knowledge to unlock meaningful education and employment opportunities.

By training the young people as community activator sports coaches, they will become role-models delivering thousands of inclusive sports coaching sessions in Essex. They estimate this will help around 220,000 people to get and stay active.

Employers that are working with Coach Core to deliver the apprenticeships in Essex include, Volleyball England, Southend Leisure and Tennis Court, Prestige Sports, Hadleigh Park, Colchester United Football Club, Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre, Brentwood Leisure Trust, Basildon Sporting Village, Red Balloon, Essex Professional Coaching and Canvey Island Youth Project. They provide a range of sports to people in their community such as football, trampolining, gymnastics, rugby, cricket, tennis and dance.

One third of Coach Core’s applicants live in the top 20% most deprived areas of the UK, many are also from BAME (Black and Minority Ethnic) communities or have disabilities which may make it harder to obtain apprenticeships through more common channels.

80% of the apprentices taken on by previous programmes have gone on to secure employment or a place in further education. Even those who did not, benefitted from the programme by being shown positive life role models and by getting active. These benefits combine to prevent young people from falling through the cracks and into dangerous peer groups, risking exploitation.

The Jack Elliott Fund gave £823 to support the latest round of apprenticeships, ensuring that even more young people are given a greater chance in life, and that they can, in turn, help to coach people in Essex to get active.

Kids Inspire is a Chelmsford-based charity set up in 2007 that provides recovery support to children, adolescents and their families who have experienced trauma, helping them to become healthy adults who lead complete and fulfilling lives.

The charity supports children from across Essex that are struggling with a wide range of issues, including mental health due to abuse, neglect, bullying and other trauma. At the heart of the therapies, are the children themselves, because Kids Inspire tailor the sessions and their approach to the individual’s needs.

Support is given on a one-to-one basis, in groups, in school or wherever there is a safe space for the individual. This early intervention helps to prevent issues from escalating, and where young people can be vulnerable to the influence of crime and gangs.

Kids Inspire provide the children and adolescents with practical tools to help them manage their behaviours and emotions when they feel overwhelmed. This enables them to build positive relationships and overcome barriers to learning, helping them to stay in education and pursue their full potential.

Support for these intervention services came from the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Charitable Fund, FW Charitable Fund and the Police Property Act Fund. In the sessions, young people were taught how to regulate their emotions by using different methods including breathing exercises and arts and crafts sessions.

Statistics: April 2023 – April 2024

4,532 children and their families received support
11,163 is the total people Kids Inspire reached through their work
In the past six years, 2,944 people received trauma informed practice training

The anti-knife crime charity, The Ben Kinsella Trust, was formed in 2008 to tackle the rising instances of knife crime occurring in the UK, especially affecting young people.

With over fifty thousand “sharp instrument” incidents reported to the police across England and Wales in a 12-month period, there is a clear need for community safety initiatives.

The Trust runs workshops across the country to educate young people about the consequences and impact of carrying knives. The Trust has been partnering with Essex Police since 2021 to target and engage those who are most vulnerable to knife crime, in their local programmes and workshops.

Thanks to grants awarded from the Leeze Charitable Fund and the Police Property Act Fund, we were able to give £3,600 to enable the Trust to deliver workshops in Colchester, Basildon and Southend. As a result of this and other similar knife crime prevention workshops delivered in schools, 86% of the young people involved pledged to never carry a knife.

To support their workshops, the Trust uses a purpose-built exhibition and trained actors. In conjunction with theatrical presentations, feature films and interactive displays, they provide online resources, national campaigns, and programmes to reach thousands of young people, helping to highlight the dangers of knife crime.

King recognises local charities

14th November 2024

Eight Essex Voluntary Groups receive The King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2024

Eight voluntary groups from across the county have been honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS), the highest national award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from across the UK for many years.

The award is considered as an MBE for voluntary groups, given only to those who provide exceptional service within their communities. Recipients of the KAVS are announced at the anniversary of the King’s birthday on 14 November each year.

The winning Essex groups this year become the joint third largest number of winners for any non-metropolitan county in the UK, a huge achievement for all involved.

The eight groups are:

The London Bus Theatre Company: Changing lives and raising questions for young people, increasing self-esteem, employability and life skills.

UTurn4Support (UTurn): Supporting young people through mentorship into achieving more positive future outcomes.

Essex Asian Women’s Association: Empowering women, promoting wellbeing, reducing isolation and championing cultural harmony in Essex.

The Music Man Project Ambassadors: Transforming perceptions of learning-disabled people through music.

PACE Manningtree: Working with local communities on positive actions to address changing climate and biodiversity loss.

Cool To Be Kind: Supporting the homeless and vulnerable in Chelmsford with community outreach and online signposting to resources.

3Food4U: Providing food and other essentials, health, wellbeing and educational services at four Essex centres.

Avenue Child Contact Centre: Providing safe, neutral, welcoming space for children to spend time with their parents.

These groups are amongst 281 charities, local enterprises and volunteer-led groups to receive the prestigious award this year. Indicating a strong voluntary landscape, full of innovative ideas.

Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex said:
“The announcement of eight winners of the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service of Essex, is a wonderful tribute to the outstanding work of the voluntary sector.

“The number of awards won across Essex is the third highest number for any non-metropolitan county in the country. This achievement speaks volumes for the excellence of volunteering in our county and the increasing importance of volunteers for community wellbeing. It also highlights the hard work of the Essex King’s Award for Voluntary Service Panel, who are responsible for assessing the groups nominated for the award, they take their work seriously to help promote and reward excellence in volunteering across Essex.

“I look forward to presenting the King’s Award for Voluntary Service to each of the winning groups in the months ahead and to celebrate their achievements with their volunteers and many who receive their services.”

Two representatives of each winning group across the UK are invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace next summer, however the Essex winners will receive their Award from the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, at their own ceremony in the new year.

High Sheriffs’ Fund opens for applications

5th November 2024

The High Sheriff of Essex, David Hurst, is encouraging charities and voluntary groups to apply for funding to support their work tackling crime and community safety.

The funding comes from the High Sheriffs’ Fund and other community safety funds managed by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to support organisations working across Essex, Southend and Thurrock for a wide range of work and projects. These include helping victims of crime, working with young people and informing them about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, gangs and anti-social behaviour, and initiatives that contribute to keeping elderly residents safe in their homes and the wider community.

Previously supported projects include a mobile youth club in South Essex, help for adults and young people who are homeless in Chelmsford and Colchester, a programme working with perpetrators and survivors of domestic abuse and knife crime prevention workshops.

ECF has managed the High Sheriffs’ Fund since 1997 and since then, grants totalling £745,000 have been given to a wide range of charities. In addition, successive High Sheriffs who have fundraised during their year of office, combined with donations made by Essex Police to the Proceeds of Crime Matched Funding Scheme, have helped to grow the endowed High Sheriffs’ Fund which provides for an annual programme of grants.

David has already visited many charities and voluntary groups across the county, meeting volunteers and seeing first-hand the difference these organisations are making.

He said: “I have been inspired and humbled by the work that I have seen being undertaken in local communities across Essex, both by paid staff and volunteers. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to highlight and recognise their important work that is making such a difference to the lives of people of all ages, helping to keep them safe from crime and the fear of crime.

“Providing support from the High Sheriffs’ Fund is just one way of showing thanks and appreciation, so I very much encourage groups to apply for funding to support their vital work.”

Caroline Taylor, CEO at ECF, said: “We are delighted to work with successive High Sheriffs to ensure the money they raise helps to tackle important issues at a local level. As well as the High Sheriffs’ Fund, we manage other funds established with the support of the Proceeds of Crime Matched Funding Scheme set up by Essex Police in 2013. All these funds enable us to support a wide range of community safety initiatives so please call our friendly grants team who will pleased to have a conversation and help you make an application.”

The deadline for applications is 1 December. The panel will meet to consider applications in February 2025. Click here to apply or call the grants team on 01245 355947.

Apply now for Community Cares Fund

4th November 2024

The region’s largest independent retailer, East of England Co-op, is inviting applications for grants of between £1,000 and £5,000 from charities and organisations that support people in its trading areas across Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

The Community Cares Fund gives financial support to voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations, charities and parish councils that are creating or adapting services or activities that will have a positive impact in their communities.

The theme for this round is Community Cohesion and Integration, supporting people to play an active part in our communities to reduce barriers and inequalities and improve social contact and experiences.

Theme Outcomes –

      1) Improved access to social activities for all

2) Reduction in feelings of isolation and improved wellbeing

      3) Supported people into education or employment

      4) Provided Information, advice or guidance to maximise income

      5) Evidence of partnership working or alliance formation

Your application should fit one or more of the five theme outcomes.

This fund is to support organisations in Colchester, Braintree, Maldon, Tendring. Near to their shops: Store finder – East of England Co-op

The deadline to apply is 5pm on Monday 2 December. We encourage you to start your application as soon as possible; you can save it and return to it later within the funding window. If you’ve not completed and submitted your application before the funding window closes, you will receive a notification from us.

Grant decisions will be made in January 2025.

How to apply:

To apply, please fill out our online application form here.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your work in advance of applying, please call the ECF grants team on 01245 355947.

Join Us for a transformative day at our Symposium and AGM

29th October 2024

Join Us for a transformative day at our Symposium and AGM

When: Wednesday 20 November 2024

Where: Hatfield Place, The Street, Hatfield Peverel, Chelmsford, CM3 2ET

At Essex Community Foundation we are delighted to host our second Symposium, once again held at the lovely Hatfield Place with kind permission from Ian and Alison Twinley. The Charity Symposium is an opportunity to explore innovative strategies, foster greater stability and together champion a thriving civic society through the theme “Empowering Communities, Shaping the Future”.

Starting at noon and through to 5:30pm, peers will be engaging in these thought-provoking discussions. Also we will hear insights on how we can progress towards these goals from our pioneering speakers:

Immy Kuar (CIVIC SQUARE)
David Scurr (CAST)
Sebastian Rocca (Micro Rainbow)
Keisha Swaby (Centre for Public Impact Europe)

We will focus on addressing two critical questions to guide the future of the voluntary and community sector:

What innovative approaches can grassroots organisations adopt to empower communities and foster greater participation, inclusivity, and resilience in the face of increasing societal challenges.

How can the community sector build stronger collaborations with public and private sectors to ensure lasting social impact, while maintaining its independence and grassroots influence?

From 6:00pm we will share highlights from the Symposium at our Annual General Meeting. There will be networking opportunities with drinks provided, with discussion on how to strengthen our impact through innovation and collaboration.

Join us to shape the future of our communities together.

Parking: Ample space available | Nearest Train Station: Chelmsford or Hatfield Peverel

For more information about the events and to register, click here. If you have any questions, please email Jo Macaulay or call 01245 355947.

Threads of joy and community

Essex has a rich tapestry of cultural events and festivals that light up the county throughout the year.

Christmas is on the horizon, bringing celebrations in December for Christians, as well as those who do not follow any religion.

For Muslim communities, the end of the year is marked by the celebration of Mawlid, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, where homes are adorned with lights and families come together for feasts and prayers.

Hindu families, meanwhile, honour the spirit of Diwali with the Festival of Lights around the beginning of November, celebrating the victory of light over darkness.

In China, the Lunar New Year is celebrated at the end of January and begins in earnest as families clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and gather to share elaborate meals, awaiting the dawn of a prosperous new year.

These celebrations offer a glimpse into the diverse ways people come together to embrace the festive spirit. Whether it’s through prayer, feasting, or simply spending time with loved ones, these traditions highlight the universal threads of joy and community that tie us all together during the year and the festive season.

The independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF) supports a wide range of local charities and voluntary organisations who not only celebrate dates in their cultural calendar, but also reach out to their wider community, engaging people of all ages in projects, events and activities. This work helps to strengthen community cohesion and tolerance and improve education and understanding of different cultures.

Caroline Taylor, CEO of ECF, said: “Essex is enriched by the many charities and voluntary organisations that celebrate our diverse cultures, and we are proud to support their efforts. These charities have a unique ability to connect different communities to cultivate understanding and tolerance. Festivals and annual celebrations are powerful ways to build a more inclusive, curious and compassionate county.”

Essex Cultural Diversity Project (ECDP)

ECDP is based in Rochford and since 2011 they have been working with various festivals to provide new and exciting platforms for artists from different backgrounds to present their work and celebrate the diverse communities that call Essex home.

From Diwali festivals that light up the streets with colour and music to Chinese New Year parades filled with dragons and lanterns, they ensure that these significant events are not only celebrated but are also shared with the wider community. In doing so, they help to keep traditions and customs alive and accessible to people of all ages.

Inderjit Sandhu is the creative director and CEO at ECDP. He said, “One of the cornerstones of our work is support for cultural celebrations across Essex and creating spaces where people of all backgrounds can come together in mutual respect and joy. By fostering these events, we encourage residents to learn about and appreciate the many cultures that coexist within Essex, and they are also great fun.

“One highlight in our summer calendar is our Global Village stage, a multi-art form and music festival, held in July and August each year in various outdoor locations across Essex. The event brings together outstanding acts from Essex and all over the world to create a truly unique festival spectacular, celebrating music, dance, storytelling, art and performances from BAME artists in the UK and all corners of the globe. Artists include Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, UK African Acrobats, Bollywood dancing and many more.

“Funding from ECF and two of the charitable funds they manage, the Essex Fund and the Diana Tinson Fund, helped us with the costs of putting on the festival.”

Harlow Hindu Society

The Harlow Hindu Society was formed in 2021 and has become an active community organisation that plays a central role in preserving and promoting Hindu culture and traditions within Harlow and its surrounding areas.

The society has become a focal point for the Hindu community and those looking to connect with their heritage, while engaging with the broader community. ECF was pleased support their annual dancing festival, Navaratri and Dussehra, which celebrates good triumphing over evil and typically lasts around 10 days.

Nishall Garala, President of the Society, said, “Throughout the year, we organise a variety of cultural events that are not only cherished by members of the Hindu community, but are also warmly embraced by people of all backgrounds.

“Navaratri, a festival that includes lots of traditional dancing, is celebrated around the autumn period, it is one of the society’s most significant celebrations where families gather to worship and enjoy traditional music and dance. This event is full of vibrant colours and a joyous atmosphere and draws in people of all ages and families from across Harlow.

“Another one of the festivals that people most enjoy celebrating, especially the children, is Holi, the festival of colours, which marks the end of winter. Everyone loves the tradition of throwing coloured powders at each other which symbolises the arrival of Spring and the victory of good over evil.”

As well as these major festivals, the society also hosts different events, such a charity quiz night and health and wellbeing day, that bring together people, whilst ensuring that the rich traditions of Hinduism are passed down to future generations, while promoting understanding and respect within the wider community.

Colchester Chinese Cultural Society

The Colchester Chinese Cultural Society (CCCS) has been in existence for over 20 years and supports more than 100 families in the District.

ECF has supported various aspects of their work which, as well as preserving ancient traditions and celebrating important dates in their cultural calendar, aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese heritage among the wider Colchester population.

One of the most anticipated events of the year organised by the CCCS is the Chinese New Year celebration held in January, which brings the streets of Colchester to life with colourful parades, traditional lion and dragon dances and a showcase of Chinese music and martial arts.

Simone Xue, Manager at CCCS said: “This festive occasion not only marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year but also provides an opportunity for people from all walks of life to experience the richness of Chinese culture. It is such a vibrant event which creates a wonderful atmosphere, and we have lanterns and fireworks, as well as delicious traditional foods like dumplings and spring rolls.”

In addition to Chinese New Year, the CCCS also organises events for the Mid-Autumn Festival which celebrates harvest. Mooncakes are shared among friends and families while gazing at the full moon and cultural workshops introduce the community to Chinese arts, language, and cuisine.

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