Colchester’s strategic partnership, One Colchester launched its 2021-22 Winter Resilience campaign to help those in need stay safe, warm, well and connected this winter.
Thanks to partnership working, funding and community spirit, this project continues to provide advice and support through the One Colchester initiative delivering roadshows in the community and distributing winter packs to those affected by the cold weather, including families on low incomes, people living with long-term health conditions or at risk of social isolation,
A Winter Resilience Steering Group, chaired by Community360, who co-delivers the project, brings together representatives from the public and voluntary sector to facilitate more action over the coming months.
Tracy Rudling, Chief Executive Officer of Community360 said: “We are delighted to be working once again with key partners who provide much needed help and support when things get tough during the winter months. This also includes funding local projects and conducting outreach across the borough. We are still facing challenging levels of inequalities across North-East Essex as a result of the pandemic. That’s why it is crucial that we continue working together with partners to support our communities.”
She added: “We also have the welcome addition of our new Community Hub in Long Wyre Street which has recently opened its’ doors. A huge asset to the town as well as an important focal point for our communities this winter. The COVID-19 lockdown forced the Hub to pause its usual activities and we had to adapt to support our communities in new ways. It is fantastic our wonderful staff can once again welcome the people of Colchester, a welcoming space and access point for a wide range of activities, programs, services, social and wellbeing activities.”
The Winter Packs, a crucial part of the campaign will include a guide to local support services ranging from Colchester Borough Council’s Emergency Heater Scheme to social groups, and contain practical items, such as clothing, basic refreshments, a torch, blanket and flask and will be distributed to those identified as being in need by partnership members. In addition, this year the packs will provide help and support to encourage people to stay safe but to try and maintain some form of physical activity and to maintain a healthy mind. A dedicated supply of packs will be held at the Hub and will also be held at Colchester Hospital for staff to distribute to patients who would benefit from the packs when they are discharged.
Pam Donnelly, Colchester Borough Council’s Strategic Director of Customer and Relationships, said: “Winter is always a tough time, but for the second year running the pandemic will make the colder months even more challenging for many in our communities.
“Colchester has a fantastic community spirit – exemplified by this campaign and the excellent partnership working that will make a significant difference by providing much-needed help for some of our most isolated and vulnerable residents.”
This winter has also seen the creation of six neighbourhoods, Colchester South, Central and North and Tendring West, East and South all of which will have a Live Well Neighbourhood Team which is able to support individuals and communities with whole population, urgent care, ongoing care and high needs in a joined-up way. The aim of the neighbourhood’s team is to break down barriers and to work more closely together to focus on the improved health outcomes for local people.
Emma Strivens is Associate Director for North East Essex Mental Health and Senior Reporting Officer for the Neighbourhood Model (North East Essex Alliance) she said:
“We are delighted to announce that the first neighbourhood, Colchester Central has been launched which sees a collaboration between the local voluntary sector, communities, leaders, boroughs and health and social care.
The opening of the One Colchester Hub comes at a crucial time to this project, with a Community Connector working from the premises. Community360 is an important part of the Neighbourhood Leadership Team and will be on hand to support this new and exciting way of working.”
Cllr Beverly Oxford, Colchester Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Communities, said: “With winter approaching it is important residents keep warm and look after themselves. Our ongoing partnership work and funding continues to support this excellent winter resilience project, offering free support for our residents to stay well and warm this winter.”
Pam Green, Chief Operating Officer at the North East Essex CCG said:
“Keeping the residents of Colchester and the surrounding areas warm and safe during the winter is essential to avoid people becoming unnecessarily unwell. C360 are essential partners with the NHS and this is just one of the amazing projects we do together. Connecting with people in their own homes and communities is so much more than just the winter packs that C360 can provide when they see the need. Brilliant work and thank you to all the volunteers and staff that make this happen.”
The Winter Resilience project has been funded by North East Essex Alliance and supported by donations in kind from the COOP and Waitrose. More sponsors are expected to be announced shortly.
Our new £1 million fund set up to support Essex’s art and culture sector has opened for applications today (Tuesday 4th January). The Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund will offer artists and cultural organisations grants from £2,500 to £30,000 to deliver projects.
It will support projects across the creative sectors and is open to individual artists, co-operatives, community groups, charities, community interest companies, social enterprises, private and public organisations.
Graham Butland, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Devolution, the Arts Heritage and Culture, said: “We have been overwhelmed with the response from the artistic and cultural community since we first announced the launch of this new fund, as demonstrated by the sheer number of expressions of interest we have received.
“The Arts and Cultural Fund is open to all and will support the diverse and vibrant communities we have in the county, from grassroots community groups to large organisations. I would encourage everyone who is eligible to apply as a thriving creative sector is part of a strong economy and one which will rejuvenate our high streets.”
Applications can be made until Monday 28th February with the successful grant submissions being announced at the end of March.
The Community Investment Fund is managed and delivered by the Community Investment Board, made up of local residents volunteering their time to make investments enabling Southend residents to improve their lives. The fund is hosted by Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS). The board are keen to hear from not-for-profit groups or individuals with ideas that will achieve our vision and mission from Jan 2022 onwards. The board are seeking proposals looking for up to £10,000 per year in early 2022. The funding is targeted at organisations with a lower income (approx. £100,000 or less). This initial funding is being offered as a trial to establish the best way for the Community Investment Fund to operate in the future. The board then planning for larger investments from spring 2022 onwards, all from a total pot of £1.5m from Southend Borough Council.
The Community Investment Board’s vision is of a sustainable Southend where residents engage in their wider communities, are empowered to realise and reach their full potential. In a city they are proud of, feel safe in and can enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives.
Their mission is to utilise the strengths and assets of Southend locally by motivating residents to create sustainable and resilient communities that will;
Improve health and wellbeing; mental health; and the perception and attitudes towards Southend.
Reduce isolation and loneliness, homelessness; poverty; addiction; antisocial behaviour and violent crime.
Enable community-led action to improve and allow community ownership of physical spaces & local events.
Enhance a thriving economy, by raising aspirations and building skills.
Influence positive change within organisations to improve and develop their activities.
Invest for future sustainability in the work of the Community Investment Board.
The board are interested in ideas seeking up to £10,000, per year (i.e. 2022, 2023 and 2024), for use until September 2024 from those based and/or working in Southend that;
Will deliver their vision and mission and Southend Borough Council’s 2050 themes and outcomes.
That deliver direct benefits to the most marginalised communities in Southend facing the challenges within our vision and mission and tailored to them.
Ideas that minimise the need to access statutory services and dependency on them.
Activities that provide support outside of usual working hours and are more accessible.
Are from small organisations, most likely with an income of around or less than £100k per year seeking core or project costs from Jan 2022 to Sept 2024 over weeks, months or years. If you apply for funding for a short time you are welcome to request more if you need it in the future.
Proposals where those who will benefit from the activities are directly involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of the plans.
Board member Paula Morgan said, ‘Our board of 9 members only came together in September this year formally for the first time. Since then we have been exploring the various strengths and opportunities in our city – we are all local residents and excited to have this chance to invest in and inspire change across our own communities using our lived experiences.’
Throughout 2022 it is envisaged that the board will meet monthly, to consider proposals. If you have feedback or questions, want to find out more or talk through your idea and how to approach this, please contact our Community Investment Fund Coordinator, Gemma Cartwright using [email protected], 01702 356008 . To apply and find out more visit the guidance here.
Construction is forever evolving. It is important that we too evolve as people. Let’s start by engaging with the new faces of construction.
About this event
Calling all contractors, employers, schools and parents! This is your chance to discover Essex Youthbuild and to find out about the work we do with young people in the community; filling the skill gaps in construction. Take this opportunity to find out how you can be a part of improving our young people’s development, and building the future generation of construction workers. You will discover the different ways that we work to ensure that our young people are work ready; being conscientious, focused and skilled. If we don’t start investing in our young people today, we will be the generation who failed to pass on the necessary knowledge and skills to those who follow.
Join us at our centre on the 31st January 2022 to find out more. Refreshments will be available. No charge, just come along!
ESSEX YOUTHBUILD IS A CHELMSFORD-BASED CHARITY OFFERING CONSTRUCTION AND EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS TRAINING TO YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 11-19 FROM ALL OVER ESSEX.
Mind in West Essex have new free courses on their online academy. These new courses include Intro to Mental Health and Intro to Stress. There are many more free and paid for courses on the academy website for you to experience.
If you have an online course you would like hosted on the academy you can contact the online training team here.
This exciting new two year project is intended to support individuals and families impacted by the COVID-10 pandemic across West Essex, through loss of income, illness, need to self-isolate and who have limited or no access to digital devices/data in order to be able to access services such as employment support, skills for life, online shopping, banking, socialising and health interventions and appointments.
The project intends to address four key elements of digital exclusion:
Lack of recognition of being “in need” or digital inclusion support;
Lack of access to digital services;
Lack of access to affordable digital connectivity, mobile and fixed broadband;
Lack of access to the digital skills needed for life and for work;
The project will be working in close partnership with key statutory and VCS agencies across West Essex who support marginalised and vulnerable groups, to ensure there is widespread knowledge of its existence and easy referral routes in.
The project will also be playing a particular emphasis on providing tailored support to access digital for people experiencing poor mental health and those from minority ethnic communities.
We have commissioned the development of a purpose built digital platform that will enable people to donate and receive donations of equipment and data and that will enable us to provide training and skills development resources, as well as a volunteer management and coordination system.
For further information on this exciting new project please contact Ali Firth – Digital Inclusion Project Lead on 07578 665659 or by emailing [email protected]
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. The Provide Foundation is managed by Essex Community Foundation (ECF), with the aim to improve and increase access to community health projects and services by supporting voluntary and community organisations working in Essex, Southend, and Thurrock.
This year, the Provide Foundation would like to support organisations or projects that have a clear link to health and social care, and meet one of the following:
Continue to adapt well to help the community during the pandemic
Support those who are socially isolated, particularly those most vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic
Links to health and social care ought to 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
Grants of up to £20,000 for one year are available
The Panel is interested in:
How your project compliments their ownwork or whether you have contact with Provide’s services. For example, if you receive referrals from their staff. Please do include this in your application.For more information about Provide and their services click here.
How your work compliments statutory provision and where your organisation is addressing gaps in the community.
Please complete your application here and submit your supporting documents by Friday 4 February. The Provide Foundation will award grants in early April.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your organisation’s funding needs, then please contact us. You can reach us on 01245 356018 or [email protected]. You can also set up a time to speak with a member of the grants team here using the General Catch Up option.
Supporting the arts, culture and creative industries in Essex.
Now open for applications. The Essex County Council Arts and Cultural fund has been designed to help organisations and practitioners to deliver a broad and exciting range of work and activity to engage with and bring communities together.
The arts, cultural and creative projects, such as festivals and exhibitions, all contribute to helping communities recover from the pandemic and play an integral part in enabling the objectives of Essex County Council’s wider objectives as set out in Everyone’s Essex.
Creative and cultural sectors are at the forefront of economic and social regeneration in our region. One of the aims of the fund is to provide a boost for the creative and cultural sector which will enable organisations and practioners to develop long term and sustainable future for arts and culture in the county.
Now open for applications, the ECC Arts and Cultural Fund will offer artists and cultural organisations grants from £2,500 to £30,000 to deliver projects to help support and rejuvenate the Essex arts and culture sector, as well as the county’s towns and city high streets.
The fund will support projects, which will contribute to ECC’s Everyone’s Essex: The Plan for Essex 2021-2025 within the music, theatre, dance, visual arts, literature, combined arts, including festivals and carnivals, museums and the wider creative sectors.
The Arts and Cultural Fund will support revenue programmes only, not capital. A full list of what the Fund cannot support can be found in the guidance.
Examples of eligible organisations include:
• Individual artists or artistic cooperatives
• Community groups
• Charities or trusts
• Community interest companies
• Social enterprises
• Public sector organisations (not local authorities)
• Private sector organisations
• Organisations that are part of a local authority’s direct provision will be considered on a case-by-case basis
Here we show you shortcuts to creating quality charity videos that don’t have to break the bank.
Whether snippets or full-length features, videos are fast becoming the most consumed content online. But, through presumed lack of resource and time, charities are missing out.
Videos don’t have to be difficult. In fact, producing a quality video can be very easy. Make sure you don’t let the lack of video expertise stop your digital teams from creativity.
Here, we showcase how to successfully create and produce different types of video content for charity audiences.
Everyday video guidelines
Planning daily, weekly, or monthly content is exhausting. Luckily, there are lots of great ideas out there. As a guide, video content should be short, instantly relevant, and aim to draw in and engage audiences.
Include a shocking twist: videos with surprises tend to be memorable
Aside from best practices, there are so many videos that charities can learn from. Most, if not all, contain elements of Reason Digital’s advice.
Use video to create a connection with audiences
Showing snippets of the charity’s work and purpose will engage and motivate supporters. Both large and small charities are producing videos that create an intimate feeling to build a connection with their audience.
Last year’s Christmas campaign was also full of emotion and delight. The animated clip showed children being whisked home while asleep. In a surprise ending, the animated clip turned into real footage, bringing audiences closer to the work that GOSH does.
Evidently, for GOSH, video is an excellent way to tell audiences about the work they do and share a compelling story.