Community fund focuses on families
6th June 2023
One of the latest beneficiaries to a grant from the Chelmsford Star Co-op Community Fund is Families InFocus, a parent-led charity that supports families with a child under 25 with special educational needs or disability.
The charity operates in both Southend and Chelmsford and recently welcomed members from Chelmsford Star Co-op’s decision making panel for a visit. This was to see one of their social activity groups at Melbourne Sports Stadium and to witness the support they provide.
Families played together, parents swapped stories and advice, children mixed with others their own age and were not made to feel different. There was a friendly atmosphere with a community feel, and it was busy.
One parent said; “Families InFocus have provided the most on point and appropriate support that we have received. It is the first assistance that we have been offered that has completely fulfilled what it said it would and I honestly can’t thank them enough.”
Pauline Dodd, Chair of the Co-op’s Membership Committee which allocates where our Community Fund money is distributed, said; “It’s been really quite moving to see how much this small charity has achieved over the last 25 years or so, and how relied upon they are. What a great organisation.”
Families InFocus received a grant of £1,500 which was combined with other donations by the Essex Community Foundation and this was used to cover rental costs and other essential expenses.
If you are a local business that would like to give back to local charities, click here to find out more.
Apply for a grant for your charitable work here.
Three Brentwood-based charities receive funding boost
5th June 2023
Three Brentwood-based charities have been recognised for the incredible work they carry out in the community.
To help them continue their missions, REACH, SNAP and the Lighthouse Furniture Project have been awarded grants by the Saffron Community Fund.
Set up by the Saffron Building Society 11 years ago, the fund is run in partnership with Essex Community Foundation (ECF) and supports not-for-profit organisations across Essex, Suffolk, and Hertfordshire.
Claire Hunnable, from Saffron Building Society, said: “It is truly humbling to meet the everyday heroes that commit their time and energy into running organisations like REACH, SNAP and the Lighthouse Furniture Project.”
REACH provides high-quality assessment and rehabilitation programmes, using trained horses, for adults and children suffering from physical, mental, social and/or learning disabilities.
Beth Lovell said: “We work hard to provide a bespoke service to our clients, helping those with physical and learning disabilities, mental health challenges, and those finding it hard to access mainstream education – and horses are at the core of everything we do.
“Our centre provides a natural environment and an alternative learning experience for those not wanting the pressure or confines of a classroom. We have happy ponies, happy staff, happy volunteers, and ultimately happy participants, and want to be able to help more people in the future. This means we are constantly looking at ways to fundraise to keep our charity going. Being a not-for-profit and having horses to pay for is a difficult challenge so we appreciate any help, however great or small.”
SNAP is a charity for families with children and young people who have any additional needs or disabilities. More than 3,800 families across Essex are accessing SNAP.
Callum Boath said: “SNAP has been supporting Essex families who have children with any additional need or disability for almost 30 years. All money raised helps us to continue to provide vital services including a very busy helpline, specialist parent talks, counselling, support and advice from our team of Family Support Advisers as well as a variety of activities, therapies and clubs for children and young people.
“It is only through the support of the local business community as well as our other fundraisers that we can continue to be there when families need us most.”
The Lighthouse Furniture Project is a charity serving communities in Essex by providing low-cost, reused furniture and electrical appliances.
Jackie Rayner said: “The Lighthouse Furniture Project works hard in the community to provide new and refurb goods to people in need. We works with others to provide food parcels and the relevant items to make a house a home. With a bed to sleep in, somewhere to wash their clothes and something to cook a meal with, it gives a person or family the starting blocks to build a future.”
The Saffron Community Fund is, for the first time, opening its grant applications twice this year. For more information or to apply for the next round of funding, click here.
Supporting dementia and autism friendly cinema screenings
The Electric Palace Harwich has been successful in obtaining grants from Essex Community Foundation and Harwich Town Council to ensure that their popular Dementia and Autism friendly screenings can continue.
Since reopening just over a year ago, following a major refurbishment made possible by support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and English Heritage, the Electric Palace has been offering a programme of Dementia and Autism friendly screenings alongside its general screenings.
The programme, delivered by an Education Officer, has been very well received and has allowed the Electric Palace to serve its communities in ways in which it has never been able to do so before, reaching more people and making the venue more inclusive and accessible.
A recent grant awarded by Essex Community Foundation (ECF) provides funding for two days a week for the next year for the Education Officer to continue this work.
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “Initiatives like this are really important for helping to ensure that everyone gets to enjoy the arts and can access them. We are pleased that two of our fundholders, Harwich Haven Authority Community Fund and Galloper Wind Farm Community Fund, have funded the role of an education and community engagement officer, to continue and expand work like this.”In addition, a grant from Harwich Town Council has made it possible to offer free tickets to those who would benefit from these screenings.
The Electric Palace will continue to collaborate with partners including Age UK, Harwich Connexions, Autism Anglia, local care homes and Harwich Home Start, to make sure that those that would benefit most from specialist screenings are able to attend.
Dementia Friendly Memory Matinees
These screenings have been designed to be inclusive to those living with dementia, as well as family members and carers. Memory Matinees screenings are rooted in the idea that a trip to the cinema is a powerful way for people to reconnect with memories. During the film, the house lights are raised slightly and the sound level is slightly lower than normal. Trained staff and volunteers are on hand throughout the screenings to assist, but please note that pastoral care is not provided, a friend, family member or carer must also attend.
Autism Friendly Relaxed Screenings
These relaxed screenings provide a chance for adults & children to watch a film at the cinema in a relaxed & inclusive environment. Adjustments are made to reduce over-stimulation & create a friendly atmosphere for people with additional needs. The number of tickets for online sales are reduced so that audience figures are slightly lower than a general screening. There is free entry for carers with CEA cards.
Doors open 30 minutes before the screening start time in order to get settled and sensory objects are available on entry (sanitised before & after). There are no trailers or adverts and the film will be introduced.
During the screening lights will remain on low and the volume will be adjusted to a lower level. Visitors can bring own snacks to eat and moving around & noise making are accepted.
For more information, please contact Hayley: educationofficer@electricpalace.com or Michael: operationsmanager@electricpalace.com 07734 300 045
Mayor creates lasting legacy to support local charities
26th May 2023
Charites in Harwich and Dovercourt will continue to benefit for years to come thanks to the vision of Cllr Ivan Henderson, who steps down as Mayor later this month after two years in the role.
Cllr Henderson established the Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund, which is managed by the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF), when he became Mayor in 2021, to provide an annual source of funding to support the work of local charities and voluntary groups.
“My mayoral year coincided with the 400th anniversary of Master Christopher Jones’ sea voyage aboard the Mayflower,” said Cllr Henderson. “I wanted to do something that would last beyond my term of office, would link to the ongoing maritime history of Harwich, but importantly, would also support our communities now and in the future.
“Thanks to the donations I have received, the Locality funding provided by Essex County Council and matched funding from the Proceeds of Crime Matched Funding Scheme run by ECF, I am delighted that I have been able to achieve my ambition.
“Now the Fund is set up, I would like to see it continue to grow with donations from local people who want to support their community because together, we can really make a difference.”
Cllr Henderson has lived in Harwich all his life and has devoted almost three decades to public service, including being a former MP for Harwich, a Town, District and County councillor.
He said, “I am passionate about Harwich. It has an amazing history, wonderful coastal views, and a great sense of community spirit, but like many areas, there are people who need extra support. This is why I set up the Fund.”
Since the Fund was established, nearly £6,000 has been given in grants to local voluntary organisations. In addition, ECF has been able to leverage a further £10,500 from other charitable funds that it manages.
Home-Start Harwich is among the charities that have benefited from support. Wendy Taylor, Scheme Manager said, “All parents struggle at one time or another and it can be lonely, frustrating, and overwhelming. Our staff and volunteers work alongside families to give non-judgmental, compassionate, and confidential support.”
She added, “Funding is vital for us to be able to work with families directly, often in their homes, and help them gain confidence and skills to overcome challenges.”
One of the highlights of Cllr Henderson’s term of office, was a partnership project with local businesses and other ECF fundholders, including Harwich Haven Authority, Milsom Hotels and Galloper Wind Farm, that enabled 20 local young people to take part in the trip of a lifetime as part of a Tall Ships Sailing to Portsmouth.
Charities also receiving support include Teen Talk (Harwich) for their work helping local young people with a wide range of advice, guidance and services, and the Ark Family Resource Centre which was awarded £1,470 to help set up a family support group for survivors of domestic abuse.
Cllr Henderson hands over to Cllr Maria Fowler in a Mayor-making ceremony to be held at the Guildhall in Harwich on 25 May.
If you would like to support local charities and make a donation to the Harwich Mayflower Legacy Fund, you can donate here on JustGiving or by calling ECF on 01245 355947.
Phabulous café gives young people a helping hand
23rd May 2023
A café in Leigh-on-Sea is helping young people with additional needs, to improve their skills and confidence while at the same time, gain valuable work experience.
This hands-on opportunity has been supported by the Southend Community Fund which is administered by the independent grant making trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF). Since it was established in 2003, over £430,000 has been given out to charities and voluntary groups that are helping local people.
Sandra Howarth, from the charity The Phab Life which runs the Phabulous Café, said: “The young people prepare and serve everything, which can either be eaten in house or as a takeaway.
“Over the past year, we have seen 12 of our young people complete the programme and either go on to paid employment or other working opportunities. We have also built up a social network group to help the young people develop their self-worth and create lasting friendships.
“Securing grants like the one from the Southend Community Fund it vital for us to continue our work supporting young people with additional needs and create even more opportunities which will help them to improve their lives.”
Sandra added: “As well as the café experience, we host other events for our young people, including craft and games nights. We also recently returned from a group holiday to Potters, where 35 of us enjoyed a weekend of activities, food and fun.”
David Hurst, vice chair of the Southend Community Fund panel, said: “The café really is Phabulous! It is having a very positive impact on the lives of young people who need some extra support and we were pleased to support them as they grow their customer service and hospitality skills.”
David added, “Phab is just one of the local charities that has received support from the Southend Community Fund which only exists because of the generosity of local people, businesses and trusts. Working with ECF means the Fund is independent, invested for the long-term and local people will always be involved in decisions about where to give support year after year. This is a winning combination for our communities and the people of Southend-on-Sea who live in them.”
The Phab Life also runs the Phab Shop in Rayleigh High Street, which also gives young people with additional needs retail training.
If you are a local charity in need of funding, click here.
The Southend Community Fund offers the opportunity for your charitable giving to stay local and to benefit charities and voluntary groups working in Southend, Rayleigh and Rochford. Donate here: https://essexcommunityfoundation.enthuse.com/cf/3a62/SouthendCF or call us on 01245 355947.
Lower Thames Crossing reveals Community Fund projects
15th May 2023
National Highways has unveiled the successful community and environmental projects across Thurrock, Essex and Havering that have been awarded grants through the Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund.
The £250,000 fund has been set up by National Highways to support local charities and not-for profit community groups near the route of the proposed Lower Thames Crossing. Working in partnership with Essex and Kent Community Foundations, 55 projects north and south of the River Thames have been awarded grants of up to £10,000 each.
40 projects in Thurrock, Essex and Havering have been awarded a total of £165,000 funding including:
- Orsett Primary School – providing new outdoor play equipment
- Thurrock Local History Society – development of an interactive heritage map for walkers, cyclists and horse riders
- Odyssey Explore Scout Group – investing in new camping equipment so they can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Friends of Dagnam Park – supporting a conservation programme
- Havering Green Streets – enhancing a pond, installing new signage and running Forest Schools for local children and adults
A further 15 projects in Kent have been awarded funding, including Cobham Pre-school, Thames and Medway Canal Association, Northfleet Community Farm and Cyclopark.
If the Lower Thames Crossing is given the go ahead by the government, a larger Community Fund will be established to support communities near to the new road as its being built.
Emily Dawson, Head of Benefits, Lower Thames Crossing said: “We’re committed to helping local communities make the most of our investment in the road network. The Lower Thames Crossing is a transformational project that will improve the journeys for millions and give the region a huge boost. In the coming weeks the project will take a step forward as our plans are examined by the Government’s independent planning authority. In the meantime, we are delighted to share the details of the fantastic projects we are investing in today, so that our neighbours can feel the benefit of this investment years before a spade goes into the ground.”
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF said: “We are pleased to work with LTC and be involved in this partnership project to support local communities. The funding will make a big difference to local charities and smaller voluntary groups as they continue to deliver their excellent work, especially at this financially challenging time.”
Hazel Eddy, Trusts and Foundations manager at Re-Engage said: “Your donation will truly make a difference in helping us support people aged 75 and older living in Thurrock who are lonely, socially isolated and in need of companionship.
“Sadly, the cost-of-living crisis is forcing many older people to stop accessing social opportunities and with no means of increasing their income, our free services will be more important than ever. This funding means that our staff and volunteers will be able to show older people that they are not alone.”
Between 2020 and 2025 the Lower Thames Crossing is investing more than £30 million in projects across the region, and has recently funded projects including 10km of new gigabit capable broadband infrastructure to connect South Ockendon to Great Warley in Brentwood, through North Ockendon to the existing full fibre network; Essex Wildlife Trust projects to create new habitats in Thurrock; restoring heritage features in Dagnam Park and Warley Place, Brentwood; and supporting RSPB environmental enhancements at Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve.
The funding is provided through National Highway’s standalone (or designated) funding programme, which is a national scheme that aims to deliver lasting benefits for communities and the environment beyond the organisation’s role of managing England’s network of Motorways and A-roads. The funding is seperate from the Lower Thames Crossing’s core project budget, which is subject to government approval.