Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund now open for 2026 applications
10th February 2026
National Highways has opened the £1.9 million Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund for 2026, supporting charities and community groups across Thurrock, Brentwood and Havering.
The fund provides grants of up to £10,000 to organisations working to improve the lives of people living in communities close to the Lower Thames Crossing, a major new road linking Essex and Kent via a tunnel beneath the River Thames.
The Community Fund builds on the success of a pilot programme in 2023, which awarded £250,000 to 55 community and environmental projects on both sides of the river. Learning from that pilot has helped shape the design and delivery of this larger, construction-phase fund.
About the Community Fund
The Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund is delivered through National Highways’ Designated Funds programme, a national scheme designed to provide lasting benefits for communities and the environment beyond the organisation’s core role of operating and maintaining England’s motorways and A-roads.
The funding is separate from the Lower Thames Crossing core project budget, which remains subject to government approval.
Supporting communities during construction
Applications for projects north of the River Thames are being independently managed by Essex Community Foundation (ECF). Projects south of the river, including those in Medway and Gravesham, should apply via the Kent Community Foundation.
As construction of the Lower Thames Crossing begins, the fund offers local organisations an important opportunity to secure investment that will deliver lasting benefits for their communities.
Zoe Brampton, Grants Manager at Essex Community Foundation, said:
“We’re delighted to support the Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund, giving local charities and community groups the opportunity to deliver projects that make a real difference. The 2023 pilot showed how much impact targeted, local investment can have, and we’re excited to see new projects bring positive change and lasting benefits for people across Thurrock, Brentwood and Havering.”
Find out more and apply
Full details about eligibility, priority areas and how to apply are available on our Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund webpage – here.
The deadline to apply is 30 March 2026 at 5pm.
Applications must be submitted using the online application form. Organisations that experience difficulty applying online can contact the grants team to arrange an alternative submission method.
Final funding decisions will be shared with applicants in May 2026, following the panel meeting.
Organisations are encouraged to discuss their project ideas before applying. To speak with the grants team, applicants can book a call or contact ECF on 01245 355947.
Counselling Service Receives £5,000 Grant to Support Local Residents
29th January 2026
Affordable Counselling Epping Forest (ACEF) has received a £5,000 funding boost to expand its vital low-cost counselling support for residents. The grant, awarded by the Frank Lichfield Charitable Trust and managed by ECF, will help ensure accessible mental health support remains available at a time of growing demand.
Over the past year, ACEF delivered almost 700 counselling sessions across the Epping Forest District. The service offers a safe, confidential space for individuals to explore challenges and receive professional support at low costs. Of the clients supported, 86% reported a decrease in anxiety and 93% reported a decrease in depression.
Demand for ACEF’s support continues to rise, driven by the long-term impact of Covid-19 and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. As statutory mental health services face increasing pressure, ACEF provides a crucial safety net for residents who might otherwise struggle to access help.
ACEF currently delivers 21 hours of counselling each week, led by accredited or equivalently experienced counsellors. The service is available to adults aged 18 and over living in the Epping Forest District, with each client offered up to eight sessions of support at a minimum of £5 per session.
“I would just like to say how wonderful this service is. Counselling ordinarily would have been out of my reach. Without the counsellor listening without judgement I know I would not have been able to navigate, as I have, the end of what has been a dreadful year for me. Thank you,” said a recent client.
ACEF added: “The funding we, as Trustees of ACEF, have received from Essex Community Foundation is fundamental to our ability to continue this service within the local community.”
If you are a local charity or voluntary group in need of funding, please contact our grants team on 01245 355947 or apply here.
Saffron Building Society’s Community Fund Reaches Major Milestone!
26th January 2026
Saffron Building Society has reached a major milestone, with its endowment fund at ECF surpassing £1 million, well ahead of the five-year target set in 2023.
This achievement means the Saffron Community Fund can now award around £50,000 each year to support local projects, charities, and initiatives across Essex. Since its launch in 2011, the fund has given more than £300,000 to a wide range of local causes.
Managed by ECF, grants are decided by a panel of Saffron Building Society staff and members. The fund reflects the Society’s long-standing commitment to making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.
“Reaching £1 million in our endowment fund is a testament to our values as a mutual,” said Colin Field, CEO of Saffron Building Society. “We’re incredibly proud to have exceeded our target and to know this fund will continue supporting Essex communities now and in the future.”
ECF works to connect donors with local charities, helping strengthen communities across the county.
Caroline Taylor, CEO of ECF, said: “Saffron’s endowment shows what’s possible when a socially responsible business takes a long-term view of community investment. It is already supporting local charities tackling some of the most pressing challenges, and it will continue to do so for generations.”
Recent grants from the fund include:
- DIG-IT Community Allotment – £3,000 for a joint food growing and cooking project
- Hourglass (Safer Ageing) – £2,750 towards a 24/7 helpline for older people at risk of abuse
- Kool Carers South East – £2,000 for activities and trips for young carers in Brentwood
- Red Kite Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Service – £10,200 to support survivors of sexual abuse across Hertfordshire and Essex
Laura Thompson-Harper, project manager at DIG-IT Community Allotment said: “We are so welcoming and passionate about making the site safe and accessible. The benefits of time spent here are immeasurable for our clients and the funding we have received will make a huge difference to our work.”
The fund will continue to provide long-term support for essential community projects and local organisations across the region.
For more information or to apply for funding, visit essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk or call 01245 355947.
Funding Opportunity Returns for Community Projects in Harwich and Tendring
Voluntary and community groups in Harwich and Tendring can now apply for funding from the Harwich Haven Authority Community Fund (HHA Fund). Grants of up to £7,500 are available to help bring local community, environmental, and educational projects to life.
The Fund has been managed by ECF since 2018 and has awarded over £240,000 in grants to charities and voluntary groups working across Harwich and Tendring. The funding forms part of Harwich Haven Authority’s wider programme of community support.
“This fund offers a valuable opportunity for voluntary and community organisations in Harwich and Tendring to turn great ideas into reality,” says Zoe Brampton, Grants Manager at ECF. “We encourage organisations to come forward and explore how the Harwich Haven Authority Community Fund could help their project grow and thrive.”
Projects Previously Supported
The HHA Community Fund has supported a wide range of impactful local projects, including:
- Action for Family Carers – £6,000 towards the delivery of a Young Carers Club in Harwich, offering respite and tailored support for children aged 8–16 with caring responsibilities.
- Jaywick Sands Revival CIC – £8,800 towards the costs of delivering a community foodbank serving the Jaywick area of Clacton.
- The Friends of Cox’s Pond – £2,000 towards start-up costs for the restoration of a local pond and surrounding gardens in Harwich.
- The Active Wellbeing Society – £4,000 towards a new weekly after-school bike club in Harwich, providing bike support alongside a nutritious meal for local children.
Applying for Funding
Organisations wishing to apply should ensure their project meets the Fund’s eligibility criteria and delivers clear benefits to communities in Harwich or Tendring.
The deadline for submitting applications is Tuesday 10 March.
If you applied for funding in the previous round, please contact us before submitting a new application.
For further information on eligibility and how to apply, organisations should contact our Grants Team at 01245 355947 or book a call.
You can also find more information about our funding application process on our ‘Apply For Support’ page linked below.
Young Trumpeters Inspired by World-Class Masterclass in Ongar
Young brass players from across the region were given an unforgettable opportunity to take part in a Masterclass held by the internationally acclaimed trumpeter Matilda Lloyd.
Eight talented musicians aged 12 to 26 took part in the day-long event held at Budworth Hall in Ongar, presented by Ongar Music Club and made possible with funding from the Essex Young Musicians’ Trust (EYMT). The masterclass offered a rare chance to work closely with one of today’s leading trumpet performers, combining expert coaching, performance opportunities and creative musical exploration.
Throughout the afternoon, participants performed a wide-ranging programme featuring works by Haydn, Hummel, Arutjunian, Bernstein, Copland, Sparke and Vizzutti.
Matilda Lloyd focused on developing tone, musical character and performance confidence, with sensitive support from the official pianist Joanna Smith. Members of the public were invited to observe the sessions, gaining a rare insight into the artistry and discipline of top-level musicianship.
In the evening a recital was held where the young musicians were able to put into practice their learning from the day.
At the end of the event, Matilda presented four bursaries in recognition of outstanding promise and achievement. The EYMT Norman Harper Bursary (£500) for performers aged 12–18 was awarded to Lucas Rebel (12) and Ariana Wilson (14), while the Belinda Starling Award (£500) for performers aged 19–26 went to Alexander Rebel (16) and Kerensa Newcombe (25).
Reflecting on the experience, Ariana Wilson said, “The masterclass really helped me to think about how I communicate music to an audience. I’ve already made changes to my playing and feel inspired to keep improving and see where the trumpet takes me.”
Young musicians who are in need of financial support to develop their talent should contact Essex Community Foundation on 01245 355947 or email hello@essexcf.org.uk to find out more about available funding opportunities.
Helping Heritage Crafts
Essex has been shaped over centuries by traditional crafts and skills. Thatched roofs and decorative pargeting are just two examples of crafts that have helped define the county’s landscape and history.
National charity Heritage Crafts has warned that many traditional skills are now endangered, with some at risk of being lost forever. Funding from the Salter McKinlay Charitable Fund, established with ECF in 2014, is helping to preserve at-risk skills through grants of up to £2,000 from the Heritage Crafts Endangered Crafts Fund, launched in 2019.
Each year, Heritage Crafts publishes a Red List highlighting how many traditional crafts are in danger. In 2025, 71 crafts were listed as critically endangered and 94 as endangered. Crafts classed as critically endangered are those at serious risk of no longer being practised, often due to a shrinking number of craftspeople, limited training opportunities, low financial viability or no clear way to pass on skills.
Daniel Carpenter, Executive Director of Heritage Crafts, said: “The Red List underscores the urgent need for greater investment and support to safeguard these skills for the next generation. Reversing this decline would represent not just the continuation of skilled trades, but also a significant boost to the UK’s cultural heritage.”
Keeping Endangered Crafts Alive
Essex coppicer Andy Basham received an Endangered Crafts Fund grant to learn how to make thatching spars from the last remaining spar maker in East Anglia and to equip himself for production from his own hazel coppice.
Andy has worked for more than 17 years at Hales Wood near Saffron Walden, using traditional hand tools and techniques to harvest hazel for a wide range of craft uses.
While the market for English hazel spars remains strong, a lack of new entrants meant the craft was at risk of disappearing from East Anglia. The grant enabled specialist training with Charlie Potter, ensuring the skill can be passed on.
Essex-based glass artist Elena Fleury-Rojo
Elena Fleury-Rojo was supported by Heritage Crafts in 2024 through a training bursary funded by the Maxwell Hanrahan Foundation. Trained at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, she wanted to develop her skills in the specialist field of scientific glass blowing.
She said: “Scientific glass blowing is an endangered craft in Britain. The Heritage Crafts bursary has given me the opportunity to learn from a master glass blower before it’s too late.”
A fragile future for skilled trades
Mary Lewis, Head of Craft Sustainability at Heritage Crafts, said: “Craft is not just a creative endeavour, but is a living, evolving part of our shared cultural landscape. Sadly, the future of many skilled trades is hanging in the balance.”
She added: “Trades such as cut crystal glassmaking, pewter working, organ building, industrial ceramics and the allied trades that support silversmithing are examples of those that are becoming vulnerable.”
However, she said heritage craft also plays a vital role in sustainability and cultural resilience: “Heritage crafts offer communities accessible and meaningful ways to engage with their histories, skills and traditions.”
She concluded: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Essex Community Foundation to address the specific challenges to endangered skills and knowledge in Essex.”
Salter McKinlay Charitable Fund
The Salter McKinlay Charitable Fund was established in 2014 by Michael Salter in memory of his parents, Ron Salter and Iris McKinlay. The fund supports young people to learn new skills, build confidence and gain qualifications, with a particular focus on heritage crafts and STEM subjects.
Applicants based in Essex and East Anglia can apply for heritage grants of up to £2,000 to support training, apprenticeships, equipment, sustainability initiatives and innovative ways to promote endangered crafts.
For more information or to apply, visit heritagecrafts.org.uk/ecf or contact ECF on 01245 355947.