Funding Opportunity Returns for Community Projects in Harwich and Tendring
26th January 2026
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.
Surviving Winter Appeal
8th December 2025
This Winter, Essex’s Most Vulnerable Need Your Help
As winter draws near, many older and vulnerable people in Essex may have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table. It’s a choice no one should have to make, and with your support, they won’t have to.
Since 2011, the ECF Surviving Winter Appeal has raised nearly £106,855 for local charities, helping vulnerable people stay safe, warm, and well. This year we have launched the Appeal again to raise vital funds for those who need extra support during winter. Your donation will help provide:
- Grants to cover fuel and food costs
- Activities to reduce loneliness and isolation
- Access to specialist services and community groups
Perry Norton, Head of Development at ECF, says:
“No one should have to choose between heating their home or putting food on the table. Every donation to the Surviving Winter Appeal helps vulnerable people in Essex stay warm, nourished, and connected with their community during the coldest months of the year. Together, we can make a real difference.”
In previous years, your generosity has helped provide:
- Winter clothing packs for those in need
- Lunch clubs offering warmth, companionship, and a hot meal
- Extra beds for homeless charities during the coldest months
How you can help:
- Donate your Winter Fuel Payment or Energy Rebate if you don’t need it
- Make a one-off donation or set up a regular monthly gift
- Send a cheque to: Essex Community Foundation, 3 Hoffmanns Way, Chelmsford, CM1 1GU
- Call 01245 355947 for questions or alternative ways to give
Give today and help Essex’s most vulnerable stay warm, fed, and connected this winter.
Looking Ahead Together: Meet Our New Chair and Trustees
28th November 2025
Last week, we came together at Little Channels Golf Club for our AGM a chance to celebrate a fantastic year and look ahead to the next chapter of ECF. Around 60 members and new fundholders joined us to reflect on our achievements and meet our new leadership team.
After six incredible years as Chair and 8 years overall as a trustee, Nick Alston CBE DL stepped down, handing the reins to Atul Manek. Nick’s leadership has been truly transformative, guiding ECF through the challenges of COVID-19, growing our reach, and helping us manage over 200 charitable funds while awarding £60 million to local charities. His dedication to supporting the voluntary sector and fostering collaboration across Essex has left a lasting mark, and we are hugely grateful for everything he’s done.
We also said farewell to trustees Sandra Hollis and Simon Hall MBE DL, thanking them for their dedication and invaluable contributions over the years. Their commitment has helped shape ECF into the organisation it is today.
We were also delighted to welcome two new trustees and a new chair:
- Atul Manek (Chair): Atul brings extensive experience in financial services and governance, along with a strong commitment to social impact. He will lead ECF as we work towards our 2030 strategy and continue supporting communities across Essex.
- Naz Biggs: Naz works at Impact on Urban Health, focusing on reducing health inequalities in Lambeth and Southwark. With experience across sectors such as higher education, civil service, and international development, Naz also supports funders across London as a trustee of London Funders.
- Gillian Hayter: Based in Great Yeldham, Gillian runs her own consultancy and has a long history of community involvement in Essex. A former Trustee and Vice Chair of the Rural Community Council of Essex and a Justice of the Peace, she brings governance expertise and a passion for supporting local charities.
The AGM also gave everyone the opportunity to explore our Annual Review and ask questions about our work and plans for the future. It was wonderful to see so much engagement and enthusiasm from our members and fundholders.
As we celebrate the past and welcome our new leadership, we’re filled with optimism for what’s to come. With your continued support, ECF is ready to keep making a lasting difference across Essex.
Grant Story: Be More Dandelion
27th November 2025
The Dandelion Project (Be More Dandelion)
Domestic Abuse Support
The Dandelion Project is a newly formed community interest company supporting women who have experienced, or who are at risk of, domestic abuse. Using dance, movement and creative health, the organisation helps survivors rebuild confidence, reconnect with their bodies and improve their wellbeing, while also raising awareness of domestic abuse across the community.
Supported by a grant from East of England Co-op Community Cares Fund enabled The Dandelion Project to run its Survivor Steps programme in Colchester free of charge. The six-week course combined grounding techniques, breathwork, mindfulness, movement and topic-based discussions covering confidence building, recognising the signs of abuse and staying safe. The funding also helped the organisation test and refine the programme, develop ways to measure its impact, and build long-term sustainability.
Participants have reported improvements in their emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. The sessions provide a safe and supportive environment where women can heal at their own pace, guided by founder Fiona, who works closely with partners including Next Chapter, CARA and MIND. A recent visit during Empowerment Week highlighted how the programme fosters connection, resilience and a sense of community, giving women the tools and confidence to rebuild their lives.
Find out more about Be More Dandelion on their website linked here.