High Sheriffs’ Awards recognises our unsung heroes
4th March 2021
The prestigious High Sheriffs’ Awards were announced on Wednesday, March 3, in a live programme broadcast by BBC Essex.
COVID-19 restrictions made it impossible to hold the event at its usual venue, Hylands House in Chelmsford, but the High Sheriff of Essex, Julie Fosh, was determined that the show would go on.
The ceremony, being held on the radio for the first time ever, lost none of its kudos and high-profile recognition was given to local charities tackling crime, community safety and anti-social behaviour.
A knife crime education programme for young people, an organisation providing work experience to ex-offenders and a specialist support scheme for victims of modern slavery were among those to receive awards.
A total of 23 local organisations received grants totalling over £42,000 from the High Sheriffs’ Fund, which is managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
For Julie Fosh, the awards were the culmination of her successful year of office at a time like no other in the long history of High Sheriffs of Essex.
She said: “It was so important that this annual thank you to the voluntary sector did not fall to the wayside in the wake of COVID-19. The idea to go live on the radio was brilliant, as everyone could still hear about the vital work groups are doing across the county and it was an opportunity for us to come together, over the airwaves, to celebrate something positive.”
The two-hour radio show was hosted by Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt. Julie Fosh, Nick Alston, Chair of ECF and B J Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex, joined them on air to talk to grant recipients and award winners.
Alongside the grants, special awards were presented to five organisations:
- The High Sheriffs’ Cup was awarded to The Gifted Organisation for their work delivering online confidence and skills building sessions for young women living in Harlow, Ongar and West Essex.
- The Essex County Council Bowl was won by Justice and Care who work with Essex Police to increasing the provision of specialised support to victims of modern slavery.
- The Essex County Fire & Rescue Shield went to Red Balloon Family Foundation for their intervention programme helping young people in Epping Forest district who are at risk of criminal exploitation.
- The Essex Police Cup was awarded to St Giles Trust for the preventative sessions on violence, vulnerability,and exploitation they provide to pupils in seven Essex schools.
- The High Sheriffs’ Shield went to Ormiston Families for their work helping children across Essex to deal with having a parent or carer in prison.
Caroline Taylor, Chief Executive of ECF, said: “The Awards is such an inspiring event and one of my favourite nights of the year. Although we were hugely disappointed that we couldn’t bring everyone together for our in-person event, we are so grateful to BBC Essex for making it possible to still recognise and commend the charities’ work.
“The voluntary sector has had an incredibly tough time over the past year, so we are urging any organisations in need of financial support for their work to get in touch with us. We may be able to help.”
View a list of all organisations that received grants from the High Sheriffs’ Fund here.
To view and download photos of the High Sheriff of Essex with certificates and trophies for each of the groups, visit our Flickr page here.
You can listen back to the show on BBC Essex online here.
BBC Essex to host High Sheriffs’ Awards live
26th February 2021
On Wednesday 3 March from 6pm BBC Essex hosted a live show and presented this year’s High Sheriff’s Awards. These annual Awards are designed to recognise and commend local voluntary organisations that devote their time and energy to make Essex a better and safer place.
The well-known Essex presenters, Steve Scruton and Ian Wyatt, brought their inimitable style and warmth to create a wonderful event full of information and conversation. As well as talking with groups that are receiving grants from the High Sheriff’s Fund, Steve and Ian were joined by Julie Fosh, the current High Sheriff of Essex, Nick Alston, Chair of Essex Community Foundation and B-J Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police.
Whilst it was hugely disappointing that we could not bring everyone together at Hylands House for the usual in-person event we were absolutely delighted that BBC Essex stepped in to save the day and host the Awards event live from their studio.
You can listen back to the show on BBC Essex online here.
If you use Twitter, you can review tweets from the night using #HighSheriffAwards. Links to our social media accounts can be found at the top of our website homepage.
Read more about other projects we have funded across the county here.
To donate to the High Sheriffs’ Fund and support community safety initiatives across the county give online via our JustGiving page.
The gift that keeps giving
11th February 2021
Young women and girls in Harlow, Ongar and West Essex are being given the chance to unlock their potential and have a brighter future.
A special initiative by The Gifted Organisation, to provide online sessions giving girls and young women support and inspiration, has received high-profile backing with a grant of £4,690 from the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF).
The grant, which has come from the High Sheriff’s Fund, managed by ECF, has given The Gifted Organisation a vital boost at a time of enormous challenges. Lockdowns and school closures caused by the Covid pandemic affected referrals for the organisation’s services and meant that support sessions could no longer be held face-to-face.
Determination won the day and means that much-needed online support, confidence-building and life and work skills sessions are helping vulnerable or disadvantaged young women and girls living in Harlow, Ongar and across West Essex.
Tori Pearson, partnerships and progressions manager of The Gifted Organisation said: “Young people are at the heart and soul of what we do and we work with them to create solutions to the difficulties they face.
“We have been hearing of the crippling isolation and anxiety young women and girls have been experiencing during lockdown. It is a really tough time for them, they can’t go out or see their friends and they feel starved of the things that mean so much to them. Many lead very complex lives and if they are vulnerable the current situation makes them more so.
“We feel that this is the forgotten generation and that is why we are determined to get our online project going. It is so important, as it gives a connection for young women and girls to learn skills that they can go on to use in real life. The more services we can provide to make them feel they are not alone and can achieve the better.”
The online sessions and workshops for girls and young women aged 15 to 25 range from yoga to inspirational talks and advice from high-achieving female mentors from various sectors.
Tori said: “Everyone in the The Gifted Organisation loves working with young people, supporting them to unlock their gifts and create brighter futures for themselves. Our aim is to enable young people to develop transferable skills while supporting their emotional and mental wellbeing and helping them move forward in a positive way, gaining creative, entrepreneurial and leadership skills.
“The young people themselves have emphasised a clear need for our services, saying how it has a real impact on their lives.”
Since it was founded in 2012, The Gifted Organisation has worked with over 4,000 young people and the funding from ECF will mean that their help and motivational support can reach many more.
If you are a voluntary or community organisation in need of funding, click here to check if you are eligible for an ECF grant.
ECF welcomes three new trustees
Three dynamic new trustees have joined the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation, (ECF) to help the organisation to have an even greater impact in the future.
Gail Cunningham, Ben Minter and Gemma Cartwright are making it their mission to see ECF strengthen its position as one of the leading community foundations in the UK, working with individuals, families, businesses, charitable trusts and statutory bodies to support the vital work of charities and voluntary groups in the community.
A total of 167 charitable funds are now under ECF’s management and this achievement has meant that over the past year of great challenges, £4.8 million has been distributed in much-needed grants to 436 voluntary organisations and 89 individuals.
Gail, Ben and Gemma have taken up their roles as trustees at ECF at a time when the organisation has set its sights on encouraging even greater local philanthropy to help improve the lives of those in need in Essex.
Gail, who lives in Chelmsford, is head of investment learning at the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF). Her extensive experience of the charity sector, in the UK and overseas, makes her a great asset as a new trustee for ECF and she is eager to use her skills to help the organisation develop and continue to flourish.
She said: “Since moving to Chelmsford, I have been impressed by the work of ECF, in particular its sustained growth, commitment to grassroots issues, community accountability and its ambition to make a greater impact through working in partnership with other organisations.
“I have a keen appreciation of the power of community foundations and similar models, having worked with them in Canada. The ability of community foundations to listen to people’s needs is a key resource.”
Ben Minter, a charity investment manager who lives in Brentwood, is bringing energy and enthusiasm for the voluntary sector to his new role as an ECF trustee.
“I think ECF serves a vitally important role in ensuring the resilience of local enterprises from grassroots upwards, helping them to keep going, especially given the current economic environment and the longer-term funding pressures in the third sector,” said Ben.
“There is great value in working directly with the local community and I will take huge pride in being able to visit the people and projects funded by ECF grants to see the success stories, while offering further support to those yet to reach that stage.
“I was born in Colchester and feel a sense of real connection to the county. I believe that being a trustee for ECF will be a great way to give something back and will help develop a network of local expertise for the good of the community in future.”
Gemma Cartwright, who lives in Southend, is a development officer with the Southend Association of Voluntary Service supporting many charities and voluntary groups. She also volunteers her time and gets involved with lots of community work and activities. Through her work she had already forged strong links with ECF and is looking forward to her new role as trustee.
Gemma said: “I have a deep passion for equality, ending injustice and the work of the voluntary sector and I am strongly motived by the direct impact made by small and medium sized groups.
“Having grown up in Southend I have been aware of ECF for many years and the vital impact it has across Essex. As an ECF trustee I will be able to use my knowledge of the charity sector, develop new skills, interact with new people and learn more about the work of the voluntary sector across Essex.”
Caroline Taylor, chief executive of ECF said: “We are delighted to welcome Gail, Ben and Gemma as our new trustees and know that their skills, experience and commitment will be invaluable as we face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
To see more members of our trustee Board, click here.
High Sheriff walks the walk
15th January 2021
Julie Fosh was not daunted by the challenge of doing things differently during her year as High Sheriff.
Coupled with her usual determination and enthusiasm for everything that she does, Julie has spoken with a great many charities and voluntary organisations on the telephone, through online meetings and visits (when allowed).
Thanks to the support of local people and companies she has also organised events including a 50 mile walk along the Essex coastline, and has raised over £30,000 for the High Sheriff’s Fund.
“The effort, creativity and professionalism of everyone I speak with reflects the talent, deep passion and care for others that we have within our Essex communities. I can’t thank them enough for all they are doing”. Julie Fosh, High Sheriff of Essex
Reflections of the High Sheriff
“My Declaration did not go as planned. The initial arrangements in County Hall were rapidly pared down to three of us, in full court dress, in our back garden – at least the sun shone! My attentions then turned to what I could do – a sentiment shared by so many. The traditional garden party now involved sending 650 invites to a virtual ‘Wish You Were Here Summer Party’, asking for a photo or short video clip and request for donations. It provided an amusing, uplifting and generous response. To view the montage see below.
Later in the year my husband, Paul and I embarked on a walk – 150 miles from Harwich to Tilbury. The Ha’Penny Pier was glowing in the early morning sunshine as we left Harwich with a spring in our step. Leading the way, with an amazing rendition of Walking With The King, was the aptly named Wash Your Hands Band, formed to raise the spirits of communities in the Tendring area during lockdown and very thoughtfully organised by Cllr Ray Gooding, Ivan Henderson (Leader of the Labour Group at ECC and Deputy Mayor of Harwich) and Suzanne Howe (United in Kind). And so began another ‘first’ in a shrieval year that has become like no other.
The original aim of my walk was to complete it during term-time and engage groups from coastal schools. With schools closed the walk was moved to mid-August. The sun beat down on us for most of the first five days. There were wild swims in the cool North Sea. If you haven’t visited the Tendring Coast in recent years then do – it will not disappoint. Fossil hunting on the Naze, the new sea defence of 22 fishtail groins between Holland-On-Sea and Clacton is a work of beauty as is the award-winning Clacton Pier. Thanks goes to the Old Surgery B and B in Frinton for their generosity and to The Sandrock B and B in Clacton for an equally comfortable night. Joined by Richard Pattison (Essex Scout’s County Commissioner), not forgetting scout mascot ‘Teddy Brown’, we followed the beautifully distinctive coastal path to the remote Point Clear.
A visit to Brightlingsea, the delightful coastal home of a newly refurbished museum and stunning harbour, was made possible by Felicity Lees who very kindly collected us from Point Clear and organised a tour to see the great work of the Pioneer Trust. With help from the Mersea Ferry we spent the night at Mersea Outdoors (thanks to Paul Button) with a swim and evening barbeque on the beach – very romantic!
Stacey Belbin at the helm of the beautifully renovated Lady Grace took us across the estuary mouths to the Grade 1 listed 7th century Capel of St Peter-on-the-Wall at Bradwell-on-Sea – a remarkably spiritual place of pilgrimage for all persuasions and none. The golden glow from the freshly harvested fields provided a spectacular backdrop for a most thoughtful reflection and blessing from my chaplain and the Rural Advisor and Agricultural chaplain Revd Canon Janet Nicholls.
It is while walking along the Dengie peninsular that you feel so close to the elements, so unprotected from the encroaching sea, so vulnerable. The inlets and saltings can be misleading, encouraging you to attempt a short cut but sucking away at your boots with each step.
We enjoyed the culinary seafood delights at lively Leigh-on-Sea courtesy of the Mayor and Mayoress of Southend. So fuelled, we climbed to the 13th century remains of Hadleigh’s ghostly castle. It has stunning views over the Estuary and is adjacent to the site of the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course.
We were so pleased to be joined at various stages by over 100 people including our Lord Lieutenant Jenny Tolhurst and husband Philip, past High Sheriffs James Bettley and wife Lucy and Bryan Burrough and wife Philippa. We were also joined by several Mayors and Chairs including those from Colchester, Leigh-on-Sea, Castle Point, Canvey, Brightlingsea, Thurrock and South Woodham Ferrers. The group on the National Citizen Service programme (organised by Martin Solder and his team at the Essex Boys and Girls Clubs) epitomised all that is great about young people: supportive, enthusiastic and good fun. So too, the 2nd Stanford scouts with their twenty-five strong chorus of ‘Oggy, Oggy, Oggy’ on Mucking Flat.
On our journey we enjoyed great company, stunning views, including a special one from the top of Fobbing church tower and huge help, support and encouragement from the Essex farming community. Thanks too to all other friends and family who joined us, gave encouragement and generously donated to the High Sheriffs’ Fund.
Passing the well-preserved Coalhouse and Tilbury Forts we finished at the World’s End pub and reflected on our journey north to south on the Essex coast.
Julie Fosh
High Sheriff of Essex 2020 -2021
A gift from one team to another
Our Team Fund here at Essex Community Foundation (ECF) gives support to other charity teams who we think would benefit from an unrestricted donation at Christmas time. They can do anything they want with the funds so long as it brings a smile to the faces of their team and/or clients.
This year we decided to give a donation of £1,000 to Safer Places, the domestic abuse organisation in Harlow and we were delighted to receive a heartwarming thank you letter from their CEO about how they used the money to celebrate the end of a very tough year.
Setting up a charitable fund with your team is easy. For more information click here.
Thank you from Safer Places in Harlow
“Thank you for providing funding for us to celebrate with our staff at the end of this tough year.
We held an online staff party which was hosted by GAV Quiz. As well as the quiz it also included performances from the musicals and musical clues from a group of performers from the London Musicals and a singalong which sounded really awful, but was such good fun. Everyone enjoyed it and it was so lovely to all be together. We also sent Christmas presents to every one of our staff and volunteers.
We have been doing a great deal to try to support the wellbeing of staff over the last months as they have their own personal anxieties and circumstances to deal with, as well as needing to provide a good deal more support to our clients for whom this pandemic has been such a challenge.
We decided to gift them a package that would support their wellbeing and so went for something for each of the five senses. Everyone received some sock slippers, some body butters, a Yankee candle votive, some Lindor chocolates and a handmade Christmas bauble made by one of our Trustees, and a Christmas greeting and thankyou letter. Two members of our team, Aimee and Rachel, volunteered to double as elves to do the parcelling up and dispatch from the Santa depot North Pole (aka our very cold store room!).
As a result of an obsessive search for the best deals on Black Friday we got a great deal for our money. We had a small amount set aside in our budget for Christmas and by combining this with the money you so kindly provided we have enough left to be able to come together and do something when it is safe. We have in mind a picnic in Hatfield Forest as we expect to be able to do that sooner than anything indoors.
Everyone really enjoyed the celebration and receiving a parcel was very much appreciated especially at a time when some of our staff were on their own and not able to have their usual Christmas. The feedback has been really heartening.
Strangely though physically together less often, we all seem to have become closer over this time and relationships between all of us at Safer Places have only strengthened as we have looking after each other as well as our clients. Our staff have been incredible and so to have the opportunity to celebrate and thank them on behalf of the organisation, and for them to know that this was as a result of being recognised by the Foundation was wonderful. Thank you so much and best wishes for 2021.”
If you would like to support local charities, short or long-term, we will be pleased to discuss your wishes and the options that might work best for you. Click here for more information.