Improving and increasing access to community health services
11th January 2022
Local charities and voluntary organisations that help improve and increase access to community health services are invited to apply to the Provide Foundation.
Provide is an Essex-based social enterprise owned by its staff members and delivers a broad range of community health services in the County and beyond. Their Fund, which is managed by Essex Community Foundation (ECF), is offering grants of up to £20,000 to support local charitable activities.
To be eligible for this funding, applicants must demonstrate how they have adapted well during the COVID-19 pandemic and how their work supports those who are socially isolated, particularly those most vulnerable.
Links to health and social care should include one of the following:
- To help keep people out of hospital
- To help people leave hospital more quickly
- To help people stay healthy in their community
- To improve health and wellbeing in the community
The decision-making panel at Provide is particularly interested to hear how your work is addressing gaps in the community, compliments statutory provision and if you have contact with their services. For more information about Provide and their work in Essex, click here.
How to apply:
The deadline to apply to this Fund was Friday 4 February 2022. Successful applicants will receive grants in early April 2022.
If you didn’t apply in time for this deadline, we still may be able to help you. Please call our grants team on 01245 356018.
(Pictured: Essex Dementia Care who received a grant previously of £9,287 towards the salary of a dementia key worker to provide support to people living with dementia in mid Essex).
Grants available for Essex charities
A fund set up by Essex County Council is offering grants to local charities and community groups to help support their work.
Essex Fund, which is managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation, has already channelled £1.4 million into local communities and is calling for new applications.
This year, voluntary organisations in Essex (not Southend and Thurrock) can apply for funding of between £500 to £7,500 towards their core operating costs, projects or capital items.
The Fund can support activities that help unpaid carers, improve the environment or engage people with the environment, provide a community resource or those that help young people to explore culture and heritage.
Cllr Eddie Johnson, Chairman of Essex County Council, said, “Essex has a diverse range of voluntary and community organisations that do so much to improve the lives of local people and make their communities a better place to live.
“The impact that their work has is immeasurable and I am so pleased that the grants we award annually help to further their work.”
Among the charitable activities that have received funding in previous years are a virtual classroom for people with learning disabilities, a horticultural project for people with mental health issues and support for young carers.
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: ““The decision-making panel has a particular interest this year in supporting smaller voluntary organisations, projects that are working in deprived communities or organisations that are led by members of the community.
“There is a short application form on our website, but our friendly grants team are on hand to help on 01245 356018 if you have any questions.”
The deadline to submit an application was Friday 4 March 2022. If you missed this, but are still in need of funding, please call our grants team on 01245 356018.
Helping people in need during the festive season
22nd December 2021
A local charity that provides support to those who are struggling with their mental health has received a funding boost that will make it easier for people to access the help they need.
Mind in West Essex offers a wide range of services including one-on-one counselling and online peer support groups, and a grant of £18,244 from the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF) is helping them to make their work more accessible.
The funding will enable Mind to set up a new online booking system, increase the mental health training they offer and subsidise the cost of counselling for some of their clients who would struggle to pay for the support they need.
Alison Wilson, chief executive of Mind in West Essex, said, “We are so grateful for this funding as it will enable us to help more people and expand our services.
“Christmas and New Year’s is a time of celebration, but it can also be a difficult time for many people, especially those who may be struggling for all sorts of reasons and the additional stress and worry created by COVID-19 has caused great anxiety.
“We would encourage people to check-in with each other, their neighbours and their friends over the festive season, to see if they want a chat or a walk outdoors. Just letting them know that you understand this time of year can be difficult and you are there for them, to talk and offer a listening ear can make such a difference.
“If you think someone needs more help than you can give, please encourage them to phone us on 01371 876 641, use our web chat service or email us on admin@mindinwestessex.org.uk .They can also text 85258 for a free 24/7 confidential text service run by another charity, SHOUT.”
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “Being responsive to the changing needs of our local communities is a key part of our grantmaking at the Foundation.
“It is thanks to local people who choose to channel their charitable giving through us, that we are able to award vital grants like this to Essex charities that are helping local people.”
To find out more about the charity, visit mindinwestessex.org.uk.
To make a donation to Essex Community Foundation and support other local charities like Mind in West Essex click here or call 01245 355947.
Surviving Winter Appeal launched to help those in need
Older and vulnerable people in Essex will be forced to choose between heating and eating this winter – but you could help those most at risk.
Essex Community Foundation (ECF) has launched the ‘Surviving Winter Appeal’ to raise vital funds for older and vulnerable people who struggle during the colder months.
If you receive the Winter Fuel Allowance and don’t need it to pay your own bills, please consider donating it.
All donations will help provide grants to cover fuel and food costs, support activities to reduce loneliness and isolation, and help those in need to access specialist services and community groups.
Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “Rising energy and food costs will cause many older and vulnerable people to worry about turning their heating on this winter which can be extremely dangerous to their health and well-being.
“Our Surviving Winter Appeal is a direct way to help people in need in your local community to stay warm, safe and connected with others.
“Every donation, whatever the amount, will help to make a significant difference.”
To make a donation, please visit our giving page.
Cheques can also be sent to the Essex Community Foundation offices: 121 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0QT.
Granting New Year wishes through charity payouts
20th December 2021
The wishes of half a dozen local charities have been granted as independent Co-op, Chelmsford Star, completed its first round of payouts from their new Community Fund this week.
Six charities from across Essex, each benefiting our local community in entirely unique ways, received gifts of between £2,000 and £5,000 to assist them with their efforts and for specific projects and improvements.
These ranged from easing isolation for members of the BAME and disabled communities, providing housing and education to abandoned teenagers, or offering a counselling or advice service.
Nikki from Renew Counselling said; “Each of the groups benefitting today are shining a light in the darkness for the individuals they serve. How appropriate that the Chelmsford Star is helping provide some of that light.”
Other groups benefiting in the first round of payments include Southend YMCA, Happy Hill, Southend Christian Fellowship, the Essex Multicultural Activities Network and Braintree District Mencap Society.
Chelmsford Star Co-op has been providing assistance to hundreds of local groups for over 150 years, but it set up the Community Fund during lockdown as a way to give greater financial aid. Those benefiting from the grant are selected by its members from applications made to the Essex Community Foundation (ECF) who assist with the management of the scheme.
Head of Membership for the Society, Kevin Bennett, said; “A portion of every transaction made in our food, department stores or travel agents is redirected into this Fund, along with corporate donations, colleague fundraisers, sales of carrier bags and money from collecting pots left by our generous customers. Local customers and members raised this money and it all benefits local groups who need it. It’s why our Co-op is set up like it is.”
If you would like to find out more about the Chelmsford Star Co-op Community Fund, or perhaps apply for a grant for your own organisation, in the first instance please contact membership@chelmsfordstar.coop.
You can also contact the ECF grants team on 01245 356018.
Read our latest Annual Review
10th December 2021
We have published our latest Annual Review which is available to read here.
The Review highlights how the Essex voluntary sector has adapted to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, the importance of us funding core costs and some lovely stories about the people behind the charitable funds that were established this year.
You can also read our Grants Supplement here which highlights the local voluntary and community organisations we have supported during the last financial year.
If you have any questions about our work, please do get in touch on 01245 356018 or hello@essexcf.org.uk.