10 Mar £150,000 injection of funds for local charities
Community organisations working to improve people’s experiences of health and social care in Essex have received a healthy injection of funds – with eight groups receiving a share of £150,000 in grants.
The Fund, which is managed by Essex Community Foundation (ECF), was established in March 2016 by Healthwatch Essex to support community organisations that provide information, advice and guidance around accessing health and care services in the county.
Healthwatch Essex provides an information service to help people access, understand, and navigate the health and social care system, as well as gathering people’s experiences to help improve local services.
Dr Tom Nutt, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Essex, said, “There is an increasing pressure on health and care services. We know that voluntary organisations are often the place that people turn to when they don’t know where else to get the help they need. This Fund is providing financial support to organisations to help them expand their work and give local people greater knowledge about access to health and care services.”
Charities receiving grants included Action for Family Carers, Ark Community Resource Centre, Colchester’s Beacon House Ministries and Brentwood Community Print to name a few.
Families InFocus (Essex) received £9,927 to enhance a Family Support service for those with children who have disabilities and special needs in South Essex
Rachel Ellis, Chief Executive of Families InFocus, said, “We are delighted to have received this funding which will allow us to expand our reach to families with children who have disabilities and special needs in South Essex.
“The families we work with are often close to breaking point and working with them on how to support their child, and their needs, means they will have the resilience to deal with every day issues and have positivity for the future”.
