High Sheriffs’ Fund open for applications
30th August 2023
The High Sheriff of Essex, Charles Bishop, is encouraging charities and voluntary groups to apply for funding from the High Sheriffs’ Fund to support their work tackling crime and community safety.
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 included self-defence training for young women, sessions that increase awareness of modern slavery, a programme helping people experiencing homelessness to find accommodation and drama performances in schools that teach students about the dangers of alcohol misuse.
The independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF) has managed the High Sheriffs’ Fund since 1997 and since then, grants totalling £700,000 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 from the Proceeds of Crime Matched Funding Scheme, have helped to grow the endowed High Sheriffs’ Fund which provides an annual programme of grants.
Charles 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: “It is a privilege to recognise the important work of volunteers and local charities that are making such a difference in our communities. 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.”
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “We are delighted to work with successive High Sheriffs to ensure the money they raise tackles important issues at a local level. We also have other charitable funds that can support community safety initiatives so please call our dedicated grants team who will give you support and guidance.”
The deadline for applications is 10 November. Click here to apply or call the grants team on 01245 355947.
Harlow Trust keeps residents moving
Voluntary and community organisations in Harlow are being encouraged to apply for grants from the Harlow Recreation Trust.
Grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects and activities that support the development of recreational skills, knowledge and talent for the benefit of people living in Harlow.
The Trust has been managed by Essex Community Foundation (ECF) since 2010 and has awarded grants totalling over £500,000 to support local charities and voluntary groups. ECF assesses all applications to the Trust and works with a panel of local people who share their local knowledge and expertise to help make decisions on which applications to support.
Andy Payne Worpole, head of programmes at ECF, said: “The grants awarded from this Trust help build recreational skills and confidence. Over the past 13 years, a wide range of projects have benefited from support, including horticultural therapy sessions, sports clubs and a weekly group for young carers.
“The grants team at ECF are available to discuss ideas and funding needs. Grants will generally be for one year, but for exceptional projects the panel may consider awarding funds over a longer term.”
CanalAbility is among the organisations to have been awarded funding previously. A grant of £7,000 helped them to buy a new engine and gearbox for one of their Canal boats which provides accessible day trips to people with disabilities in Harlow.
Doreen Goodall, general manager, said: “We are dependent on two of our boats being available to provide 4-hour trips 300 days a year. We were so grateful for the funding as we were able to replace the engine in our Challenger boat which had exceeded well above the number of expected hours.
“Now we can continue to provide trips for people who, because of their varying disabilities, might not otherwise have access to the enjoyment of being on a boat and all the associated benefits this brings.”
Harlow stroke Support Group also received a grant of £6,000 from the Harlow Recreation Trust to provide chair-based exercise classes for stroke survivors. The sessions help people to rebuild confidence in their abilities in a safe and friendly space and the exercises helps them with their posture, walking and improving their balance so they are less prone to falling over.
Apply here or call the grants team on 01245 356018. The deadline for submitting applications is 5pm on 29 September 2023.
Global choir hits a high note
25th August 2023
Colchester Mercury Theatre is raising the roof with its new community Global Choir. The project was originally set up to help asylum seekers and refugees settle into the City, but it has been so successful that people from the wider community are also getting involved.
Members of the Global Choir come from a wide range of backgrounds and age groups. The choir sessions and performances help to break down barriers, build community cohesion and help people to feel less isolated by creating new friendships.
The project received £8,975 from the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
Abbi Roberts, from the Mercury Theatre, said: “We are so grateful for this funding which helped us to set up and run the choir, but its success is due to those who have so wholeheartedly got involved.
“We meet weekly, and after a vocal warm-up, we sing songs from around the world including Eastern European harmonies, pop, rhythms from Africa and soulful gospel. There is no audition required, we learn songs by ear, and we just have lots of fun.
“It was really important to us that the choir was accessible to all ages, especially for parents with young children, as living in a new place can be isolating. To help them take part, we provide supervised activities for children aged up to 3.”
A member of the Choir said: “It is great fun and I have met so many new friends. I encourage anyone who is interested to take the leap and come along to a practice.”
Colchester Mercury Theatre also host creative meet-ups, helping people to improve their English language skills by participating in theatre games and drama exercises in a safe, family-friendly environment. They also make music, learn different crafts and share food that celebrates each other’s culture and helps create a mutual understanding.
Some of their artists are trained drama therapists experienced in providing opportunities for people to express themselves, so this also helps with the mental health needs of people affected by displacement and trauma.
To find out more about the Mercury Theatres Creative Engagement Activities, please email taking.part@mercurytheatre.co.uk
Supporting positive thinking for young people
An Essex family’s determination to create something positive following a tragedy means that vital help is being given to young people struggling with their mental health.
Projects for pupils and students in schools and universities, as well as informative video guides for parents seeking support for their children, have all been made possible by the Charlie Watkins Foundation (CWF). Charlie Watkins was just 22 when he took his own life in 2017. Outwardly, he was a confident and happy young man who studied criminology at the University of York. He had a large circle of friends, was a member of the lacrosse club and an active member of the student union.
However, the loss of his mother to cancer when Charlie was nine years old had a huge impact and from then on, he struggled with his mental health.
Following Charlie’s tragic death, his father Tim and twin brother, Harry, were determined to keep Charlie’s memory alive and make a real difference to the increasing number of young people across the country facing mental health challenges.
They decided to set up the CWF and started working with Essex Community Foundation.
The Fund in memory of Charlie continues to go from strength-to-strength with the mission to “smash the stigma” surrounding mental health, raise awareness and provide practical support for young people in need.
Tim, who lives near Colchester, said: “So much progress has been made in the past six years and we are proud to have supported charities and organisations that are changing lives with grants so far totalling £130,000.
“Our young people need support with their mental health. We have always said that if we could help just one person, it was all worth it and I know that we have exceeded that.
“Working with ECF allows us the time to get involved in fundraising and build a lasting charitable fund, in Charlie’s memory, as they take care of all the administration. Through working with them, we support local charities and national initiatives to ensure that young people keep talking about mental health and can access support if they need it.
“Charlie was such a character, and we miss him dreadfully. But we are so proud that his legacy lives on and are so grateful to anyone who chooses to support Charlie’s Fund.”
Harry said: “Charlie lost his battle, but there are many more young people who suffer in silence and tackle their feelings alone. Through the Charlie Watkins Foundation we support projects and initiatives that increase awareness of mental health issues, encourage young people to talk about their feelings and accelerate the provision of counselling services.”
Tim and Harry’s efforts have also taken them to 10 Downing Street for an open conversation between Government and several organisations, to explore what can be done to prevent more people taking their lives.
The Charlie Watkins Foundation is fuelled by the triumphant efforts of dedicated friends and family, called Charlie’s Champions, who sometimes push themselves to the limit and tackle a wide range of challenges to raise money.
These include a family friend doing a sky dive, Tim’s friends cycling the length of Portugal, two of Charlies friends cycling the length of South America. A university friend of Charlie’s is currently walking the West coast of America from Mexico to Canada and one supporter is running 13 half marathons in 13 days.
Tim, Harry and their supporters also arrange large scale fundraising events including concerts, golf days and fundraising balls and are grateful to their corporate partners for their support and contributions. So far, the Charlie Watkins Foundation has raised an incredible £600,000.
Projects supported by the Charlie Watkins Foundation include:
The Colchester & Tendring Youth Enquiry Service (YES). A grant enabled the launch of a new school navigator project for young people to access help and obtain the support they need. This project has assisted YES in demonstrating the value of school navigators, which has resulted in the Suffolk & North East Essex Integrated Care Board announcing that they will be supporting YES to deliver this much-needed service across North East Essex in 17 schools, the Sixth Form College and the Colchester Institute.
Elise Ellis from YES said: “We have found that many young people just need to be heard and have the chance to talk with a qualified, independent and reliable adult. We see a variety of young people and the beauty of the in-school project is that these young people are being seen quickly and are allocated the correct support for their individual situation. This has resulted in decreased NHS waiting lists and more successful support.
“I have met with hundreds of young people who, without the project, would have been on a counselling waiting list, potentially for many months.”
YES also has a community garden – an allotment space where young people can meet and work together to grow fruit and vegetables to support their mental wellbeing. Thanks to funding from CWF, there is a new addition to the community garden; a summer house called ‘Charlie’s Cabin’. This provides a safe and quiet space for the young people to open up to each other and YES staff about any troubles they may be facing.
Support for Students
Life at university was, at times, difficult for Charlie, but also for many other students who were adapting to living away from home and family while studying. By partnering with and supporting Student Minds and the Charlie Waller Trust, CWF is reaching out to even more young people to help them access the support they need.
Student Minds is a UK wide charity that empowers students and members of university communities to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to look after their own mental health, support others and create change. In partnership with Student Minds, CWF has funded the development of a mental health support directory for all students.
Working with another similar organisation the Charlie Waller Trust, CWF has recently released parental video guides giving advice on how to identify and address mental health issues affecting their children.
CWF also previously worked with them to produce some transition guides for those moving to university. These guides have been especially helpful to those going on to further education after the COVID-19 lockdowns and whose mental health was not as strong as it once was.
For more information and to support the Charlie Watkins Foundation visit cwfoundation.co.uk
The business of giving back
Multiple charities in the East of England are set to benefit following the latest tranche of grant-giving from the Saffron Community Fund (SCF).
The SCF is fast becoming synonymous with offering unconditional financial support to charities across Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire. Its ‘no strings attached’ attitude towards grant giving means that it will support charities in all sorts of ways including with their running costs – an area that is so often overlooked by other organisations that prefer to fund projects or one-off activities.
The Saffron Community Fund provides grants to charities, community groups, and volunteer organisations within the East of England. The fund is run independently, in partnership, with Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
Claire Hunnable, Community Business Partner at Saffron Building Society, said: “Our approach to selecting the successful applicants for the Saffron Community Fund goes far beyond what each individual charity wants to use the money for, instead we look at the charity as a whole and base our decision on overall community impact.
“The harsh reality faced by so many charitable organisations at the moment due to increased costs is how they can keep the lights on, and the Saffron Community Fund is on-hand to support them in this time of need.”
This year saw Saffron Building Society open applications for its Saffron Community Fund twice – the first time since it was masterminded 11 years ago.
Successful charities, all located within the building society’s heartlands, will receive more than £25,000 between them over the coming months.
The full list of beneficiaries can be found below:
Essex
- Accuro Care Services, Saffron Walden
- Colchester CAP Debt Centre (CCDC)
- Forget Me Not Café, Saffron Walden
- Hatfield Heath Village Hall Trust Men’s Shed, Bishop’s Stortford
- Kool Carers South East Limited, Brentwood
- YMCA Thames Gateway, Brentwood
Suffolk
- Families Together Suffolk, Haverhill
- Memories Are Golden, Haverhill
Hertfordshire
- Young Concern Trust, county-wide
Caroline Taylor, Chief Executive of ECF, said: “Saffron is an excellent example of a local business putting community at the heart of everything they do. Their decision-making panel, made up of employees and members, recognises the importance of supporting running costs, which is a priority for many charities at this time. By choosing to give locally, they get to visit the groups to see the difference their funding has made.”
For more information or to apply for the next round of funding, please visit: www.saffronbs.co.uk/saffron-community-fund
The challenges of coastal living
2nd August 2023
People who live in Essex have a precious asset within their reach, one of the longest coastlines in England. Stretching over 350 miles, the Essex coast embraces fascinating and historic towns and important countryside.
Living by the seaside can be idyllic, but for some it can pose challenges including isolation, a shortage of employment, lack of good transport links and sparse local services.
Charities based in areas such as Harwich, Clacton-on-Sea, Burnham-on-Crouch and Southend-on-Sea are helping to make life better for people in coastal communities in Essex.
Many such organisations are led by local volunteers, and their close involvement with the places they are based-in and serve, means they can understand and help meet local needs. Essex Community Foundation (ECF), an independent grantmaker, supports the work of these voluntary and community organisations, thanks the generosity of fundholders and donors who choose to give locally.
Someone who has a lifelong connection with the Essex coast and who has made a vast difference to the quality of life in his community is Peter Croysdill. More than two decades ago Peter set up the Southend Community Fund with his friend from childhood, Howard Briggs, a former mayor of Southend.
Their aim was to create a unique financial resource for the area, where local giving could be channelled to provide ongoing support for charities and community groups in Southend.
The Fund, managed by ECF, has grown steadily thanks to fundraising events, donations and support from local people. Since it was launched the Southend Community Fund has awarded almost £500,000 in grants. It also has an equivalent endowed amount which provides an ongoing source of funding.
Peter said: “The fund is such an asset for Southend, providing support for local charities and organisations. It is a legacy for the area, and I am proud of what has been achieved since it was set up.
“Working with ECF has been a great success, they can do all the checks to make sure that the money is spent correctly, where it is needed.
“The fund is run by a panel of local people who make decisions on the applications made to ECF for grants. Southend is a great place, but there are areas needing support and the grants can help these communities.
“We have been able to help many different charities, including the Balmoral Community Centre in Westcliff-on-Sea which desperately needed new windows. If we had not given this support, the many groups that use the hall would not have been able to meet. It is a real community hub and when we went back to visit the centre months later, the people there told us they were so delighted with the help given by the fund.
“The Fund has given grants to HARP, the charity for homeless people and to charities helping domestic abuse victims. We were also able to help SAVS, the council for local voluntary services, when their telephone system was breaking down. Without that grant they wouldn’t have been able to carry on.”
Peter, a community stalwart, who lives on the seafront, has recently taken the role of President of the Southend Community Fund. It is a fitting recognition for the vital contribution he has made in establishing such a resource to help his fellow citizens in the place where he has lived all his life.
His friend Howard Briggs has, due to declining health, had to move away from Southend to be closer to his family. But he and Peter can be assured that their vision of a stronger community will live on.
Among the local charities working in coastal areas in Essex who have received support from funds run by ECF are:
Chalkwell Lifeguards received a grant of £2,750 for their life-saving equipment. Anthony Martin, from Chalkwell Lifeguards, said: “The seaside is a very beautiful place, but due to the ever-changing tides and currents and fast changing weather conditions it can also be a very dangerous place.
“We provide a Beach Patrol and Rescue service to help keep residents and visitors to our new city safe when they are enjoying the beach and water along Southends foreshore. In recent years our club has become much more than a Lifeguard Patrol Unit, with our base at Chalkwell Shelter becoming also more of a Community hub to assist and serve all sections of the local community.
“Our Club and its volunteers support Southend Councils Beach Welfare Officer scheme and offer public information and water safety advice for people passing by and a constant First Aid service including a heart restart defibrillator which we have at our Club house at Chalkwell Shelter and also one that we take on cycle & foot patrols from Southend Pier to Bell Wharf at Leigh-on-Sea.
“Our Beach Welfare Officer volunteers also act as welcome hosts to residents and visitors during the summer months, we also offer local carers groups a place to meet, including those caring for loved ones with disabilities and a widow and widowers group. We also work closely with ‘Active Life’ for community yoga exercise sessions on the beach and also host litter picking events.”
Bradwell-on-Sea Community Shop is owned and run by members of the local community. A £6,000 grant helped to create a small self-service café area. The shop is now a focal point where local people meet. Rachael Smith, from the community shop said: “Our village shop faced an uncertain future when the former owner decided to sell-up. With our nearest supermarket over 10 miles away the shop played a vital role for the community and we could not be without it.
“Fortunately for the villagers the former owner Michael Baker, who opened the shop as a community store back in 2009, not only came up with the idea of a business owned by local residents but was also extremely benevolent in letting us purchase the property for a much-reduced price.
“In September 2014 the local community came together and raised nearly £45,000 through a shareholder scheme. That, together with a bank loan, meant we were able to make the purchase and keep the heart of our community alive. Every xcess we make from the shop goes either back into the store or the community.
“We have also been the recipients of generous funding including the grant from ECF. We are extremely grateful for all the support we have received. Today we employ a full-time manager to run the shop and Post Office, employ a 19-year-old from the village and we have over 30 fabulous volunteers who run the store on a shift basis, keeping the shop open seven days a week.”
Canvey Island is separated from the mainland of south Essex by a network of creeks and has a population of around 40,000. A lack of services locally was resulting in a rise in anti-social behaviour and alcohol and drug misuse among young people. Yellow Door Youth Club provides a vital service, and their Friday night youth club gives those aged 11 to 25 somewhere safe to go to spend their free time. It also offers a range of services focusing on improving health.
Harwich Connexions set up a mini-bus service in response to the isolation caused by a lack of local transport. It offers group travel for elderly people, those with disabilities or young people undertaking school outings. Over the past 19 years the service has grown to a fleet of seven minibuses and now a regular service to Colchester Hospital has been established thanks to a grant of £10,000.
Walton Community Centre received £5,000 from ECF to run a tech class to help elderly people get online so they can connect with family and friends to ease feelings of loneliness.
Shoeburyness Residents Association used a grant of £2,800 to install a solar powered “talking bench” on Shoebury East beach. Pre-recorded messages which change regularly are played for those who sit down while on a walk to encourage positive thinking.
If you care about your community and want to give back, contact Perry Norton at ECF to have a conversation on 01245 355947.