STRUGGLING families are to benefit after the district’s foodbank received a slice of £95,000 of grants.

Braintree District and Greenfields Community Fund, managed by Essex Community Foundation (ECF), was set up in 2008 by Braintree Council and Greenfields Community Housing.

The fund provides organisations with the opportunity to apply for funding of up to £40,000, distributed over a period of up to three years.

Those receiving grants included:

  • Braintree Area Foodbank which was given £30,000
  • Families InFocus, which received £20,500
  • Witham Town Luncheon Club, which received £13,000
  • Relate North Essex and East Herts which received £13,746
  • Home-Start Witham, Braintree and Halstead, given £16,970.

Pat Kent, the family support adviser with Families InFocus for Braintree District, said: “Having children who have disabilities or special needs can put strain on a family.

“Support for the parents is important. Our drop-in sessions offer professional and peer support where knowledge can be shared, isolation can be reduced and parents are given me- time pampering with our alternative therapist.

“This enables them to relax and restores a sense of balance – thus enhancing family life.”

More than £1 million has been distributed to local voluntary and community organisations since the fund was set up eight years ago.

Wendy Schmitt, chairman of the fund panel for the first year, is looking forward to seeing the groups benefit from the grants.

She said: “I’m really pleased with the range of organisations we’ve been able to help via this first round of funding from people in crisis, to families of children and young people with disabilities and families experiencing mental ill health.

“It shows that funds like this one really can help us to promote resilient communities and I’m hugely looking forward to seeing the impact of the funding on the projects and how it will help and support residents to live well in our district.”

For more information visit essexcommunity foundation.org.uk