

Saying thank you to our local community and voluntary groups for their hard work was the focus of our grant aid celebration event on Friday 8 March 2019 in Epping.
In the past year Epping Forest District Council has awarded £83,450 in grant aid funding to a range of organisations to support a variety of community projects. An event was held to thank the organisations who had been in receipt of funding from the Council over the past year for the services and activities they provide within the district. The event was hosted by Chairman of Council – Councillor Richard Bassett and supported by Community & Partnerships Portfolio Holder Councillor Sam Kane, Customer Services Portfolio Holder Councillor Helen Kane and Leader of the Council Councillor Chris Whitbread.
Grant aid celebration
37 groups received grant aid to spend on community projects that benefit the health and wellbeing of local people. The funding was used towards a range of projects from the renovation of buildings to the purchase of defibrillators.
Presentations by Leonard Cheshire Disability and the Samaritans showed how the money they received in grant aid helped their groups to provide successful services and activities. Kathryn from the Leonard Cheshire Disability spoke about the grant aid which allowed them to fund an indoor boccia project for individuals with disabilities; she said, ‘purchasing this extra equipment would not have been possible without the grant from Epping Forest District Council’.
A presentation on the Councils Epping Forest Community Champions Programme was given which explained the project and how you can get involved. The aim of the project is to bring together like-minded people from across the district to share ideas and experiences from their communities to improve the health and wellbeing of local people. To get involved you need to be aged over 18, live in the Epping Forest District and have time to support your local community.

Keep up the great work
Chairman Richard Bassett said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to all the groups working so hard within the Epping Forest district. Epping Forest District Council is committed to supporting the work of the voluntary sector. As Councillors, we recognise the support you give local people and take great pride in being able to champion and support the work which you do. As such we have provided £83,450 this year in small grants to community and voluntary groups in our district, to enable them to provide successful services and activities which make such a difference for local people. Keep up the great work!”
Help you to help your community
Councillor Sam Kane, Community and Partnership Services Portfolio Holder said: “Applications for funding are welcome once again and you can apply for up to £5,000 so please get in touch if your group needs financial support. Let us help you to help your community”
Want to know more?
- Email: grantaid@www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk