Helping people to manage

28th July 2022

A local charity is giving residents in Waltham Abbey advice on money management and is helping them to tackle anxieties about how they will make ends meet as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.

The demand for financial advice and the impact money worries has on people’s mental well-being is rising rapidly, causing Citizens Advice to issue a red alert warning for crisis support.

Citizens Advice Epping Forest District tells us that 46% of people with debt have a mental health problem.

To help tackle this issue locally, they launched a financial and mental health well-being programme. Following its success, they have received a grant of £10,000 from Essex Community Foundation (ECF) to extend the pilot into a 12-month project.

The project aims to tackle the clear links between poor financial well-being and poor mental health by providing a community hub service that delivers financial advice, mental health support and help to access employment opportunities. This well-rounded approach means people who are struggling to cope are supported holistically and have solutions that will provide lasting change.

Jo O’Boyle, CEO of CA Epping Forest District said, “Everyone understands that the cost-of-living has increased, with electricity bills and petrol prices soaring, and with some bills predicted to rise even more in October, we recognised that intensive support was needed locally.

“People are coming to us worried about how they will make their budgets, which in most cases are already tight, even tighter. Some people are at the point where their income does not meet essential costs, let alone covering payments to reduce debt if they have any.

“Financial difficulties are a common cause of stress, and we are determined to help people feel more confident when it comes to money, support them to find job opportunities, and ultimately improve their mental health.”

For free, confidential, and impartial advice, contact Citizens Advice Epping Forest District from Tuesday to Thursday from 9:30am to 2:30pm on 0808 278 7855.

Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at ECF, said: “It is important to us that our grantmaking responds to emerging needs of our communities, so when Citizens Advice came to us for funding, we were pleased we could help.

“Their project teaches people money skills, and in turn boosts their mental health as they start to feel more in control.

“It is a worrying time for people financially and local charities like the Citizens Advice are a vital source of information and advice.”

Charities and community groups working in Essex can apply to ECF for funding. Click here to apply for support or call the ECF grants team on 01245 355947.

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.

Building self-confidence and social skills

10th September 2021

An organisation in Ongar has now reopened, offering a programme of activities to help people develop their self-confidence and social skills in a relaxed and friendly space.

Zinc Arts, which is running a wide range of activities for adults who have learning disabilities, survived its closure during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to a grant of £10,000 from the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF).

This lifeline funding helped to cover their lost income when they had to stop their theatre courses during lockdown and were unable to hire out rooms.

Sonia Cakebread, programme manager at Zinc, said: “We are so grateful for the grant we received from ECF as without it, we may have had to close down for good, and we could focus on hosting online sessions to continue supporting our clients.

“We also offered our empty premises to 3Food4U, which collects surplus food from supermarkets and donates it to people in need. This extra space meant they were able to increase their distribution, helping over 100 local families to get food, toiletries, clothes and other essential items.

“Our activities includes baking, flower arranging, pottery workshops and more. We are so excited to be back!”

Zinc also runs a community café, theatre workshops for all abilities and they use their profits to houses six local families who are homeless.

For more information about how you can apply for funding, click here.

Community bus service returns

10th August 2021

A community bus scheme for people living in rural areas of Epping and Harlow is back up and running after nearly a year of offering an adapted service.

The charity, Epping Forest & Harlow Community Transport (EHCT), helps local people who are unable to use conventional public transport, including the elderly, those who are disabled or people who are rurally isolated.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic their fleet of 18 mini-buses made around 8,000 door-to-door service journeys each month, but they had to adapt their offering in March 2020 when the country went into lockdown.

Angela Canham, manager of EHCT, said: “Although we were unable to operate as usual, we knew that our clients still needed our support.

“We applied for a grant from Essex Community Foundation and were awarded £13,175 from their Essex Coronavirus Response and Recovery Programme, which meant we could buy the equipment needed for some of our team to work from home.

“They made daily calls to our housebound passengers to provide them with some reassurance that they weren’t alone and help prevent them from feeling isolated.

“We also made trips to St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping and worked with NHS Princess Alexander Hospital in Harlow to deliver medications to patients who had gone home after being treated for Coronavirus or those with serious underlying heath conditions who needed to self-isolate.

“The funding we received also meant that we could add safety screens in our mini-buses for when restrictions eased.

“Like many charities, our income and donations reduced, but the need for our services grew. We are so grateful to ECF and their fundholders who decided to support us. It helped us get through a very challenging time and kept us going.”

Andy Payne Worpole, Head of Programmes at Essex Community Foundation, said: “Community transport services like EHCT provide a lifeline to people who are elderly or disabled, especially those who live in rural communities where there is a limited or no bus service at all.

“Knowing they can attend an appointment, meet friends or simply do some shopping, is so important as it helps keep them connected to their community and reduces feelings of isolation.”

EHCT are recruiting for new volunteers to help meet renewed demand for their services. To discuss the available positions, please call 01992 579556 or e-mail: efct@efcommunitytransport.org.uk.

For more information about ECF and how you can apply for funding, click here or call our friendly grants team on 01245 356018.

To support local charities and community organisations, please donate to our Acorn Fund Challenge here. We are currently matching all gifts on a 2 to 1 basis.

Local charity reopens with a splash

12th July 2021

A water activities centre set in the Lee Valley Country Park is making a splash after re-opening for customers in a Covid-secure way.

New outdoor handwashing facilities and other measures to combat Coronavirus have been installed at The ESSA Water Activities Centre, thanks to a grant of £2,000 from the independent charitable trust, Essex Community Foundation (ECF.)

Now people of all ages can once again enjoy activities on the centre’s beautiful 22-acre lagoon in Nazeing, Broxbourne.

ESSA, a registered charity and RYA training centre, caters for schools,youth groups, individuals, families, corporate events and parties and runs a wide range of courses and activities.

The charity’s work helps young people to achieve their full potential physically, intellectually and socially through sailing and other water-based activities.

Training courses and activities for all ages at the centre include RYA sailing, RYA Powerboat and Safety boat, RYA Windsurfing, Dragon Boat helm, traditional rafting award, British Canoeing Start and Discover courses, Kayaking, Foundation Safety and Rescue training, Mega SUP and wobble boarding.

Volunteers play an important role at the centre. Several have gone into sea-based careers or sports associated industries and one was inspired to take up their education in marine biology.

When ESSA was looking to re-open after lockdown extra facilities were needed to ensure the centre complied with all the relevant Covid regulations and guidelines.

The grant from ECF helped ESSA meet the cost of installing new outdoor handwashing facilities which included new water pipe laying. The centre has also introduced ways to ensure social distancing and resources to deep clean every boat after use.

Kevin Downton, treasurer at ESSA said: “We are grateful to ECF for the grant which made it possible to re-open ESSA in a Covid secure way and provide hygienic outdoor hand washing facilities for our customers.

“We have had very positive customer feedback about our re-opening and that we are operating in a Covid secure manner.”

To discuss your funding needs, please call the ECF grants team on 01245 356018.

SUPPORT ECF’S ACORN FUND CHALLENGE and help local charities and groups like ESSA.

ECF is running the ‘Acorn Fund Challenge’, appealing for donations and matching them on a 2 to 1 basis. This means that for every £2 received, ECF will add £1, and if Gift Aid can be claimed, it nearly doubles the value of donations.

Give online through: https://justgiving.com/campaign/ECFAcorn
To give by card over the phone call us on 01245 355947
Send a cheque to Essex Community Foundation at 121 New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0QT.
Speak to us if you want to make a donation by bank transfer or to set up a regular gift
For more information email perry@essexcf.org.uk

Raising aspirations for young people

9th June 2021

Young people in the Epping Forest area are to be given the chance of a better future through a new project being launched by the Red Balloon Foundation.

A grant of £4,713 from the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF) has given vital backing to this initiative which will raise the aspirations of young people to achieve successful employment, rather than falling into life of crime.

The great need for the project became clear when, as part of their outreach work during the COVID-19 pandemic, team members from the Red Balloon Foundation (RBF) delivered more than 6,000 parcels containing food and educational materials to local families.

“What we saw among many young people was a real loss of hope,” said Luke Lowrie, director of RBF.

“Their parents had often lost their jobs or were at risk of being out of work due to the pandemic and the young people couldn’t see any prospect of a better future.

“Although Epping Forest is seen as an affluent area there are several pockets of deprivation. Young people in these areas are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, as they see the ‘rewards’ offered by those recruiting them into criminal activity as the only way of supporting themselves and their families.”

“The parcels we delivered were a help for the families, but we wanted to do something which would have a positive impact in the longer term. The grant we have received from ECF has enabled us to launch a new intervention programme called ‘Employability’ for young people who are at risk of being exploited by criminals due to them living in poverty.

”The aim is to raise their aspirations for their futures and build resilience, giving them practical skills and work experience, to show them that their lives can take a different path.

“The 20-week programme will give them the opportunity of gaining a nationally recognised qualification and will include structured work experience or volunteering and outdoor sessions with our qualified team, to learn problem solving, teamwork and practical skills. Some of the young people will also be allocated a mentor in the community.

“We believe that this focused intervention will be a transformational experience for those who take part, as the project should do much to divert them from anti-social and potentially criminal behaviour in the future.

“In the long term we hope to encourage those who complete the programme to come back as volunteers to allow us to engage with as many young people as possible in the future.”

SUPPORT ECF’S ACORN FUND CHALLENGE and help local charities like RBF.

Give online here
To give by card over the phone call us on 01245 355947
Send a cheque to Essex Community Foundation at 121 New London Road, Chelmsford CM2 0QT
Speak to us if you want to make a donation by bank transfer or to set up a regular gift
For more information email perry@essexcf.org.uk.

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