CHARITIES and community groups have been rewarded for their hard work with funding from Rochford District Council.

Every year, the council hands out cash to support voluntary organisations across the district.

June Lumley, Rochford District Councillor and chairman of Rayleigh Rochford and District Association for Voluntary Services, said: “I am always amazed at the wonderful work volunteers and community organisations undertake across the whole district.

“These groups make a huge difference to our residents’ quality of life and that of our young people who are growing up in an ever changing world.

“Geographically the whole Rochford District from Great Wakering to Rayleigh benefits - and demographically residents young and old are represented.

"From scout tents to LED lighting for the Bar n Bus Trust which specialises in outreach support for young people; to Dementia training for carers - the funds are going to benefit so many people.”

MORE than £1,400 will go towards helping people living with Dementia in south Essex.

Carers’ Choices, based in Kiln Road, Benfleet, was given £1,414 to help with its work.

Angela Allum, from the scheme, said the money will pay for courses to help people caring for people with Dementia.

She said: “We are overwhelmed with gratitude for this grant, it will mean so much to the carers of those living with Dementia.

“The money will pay for free Dementia awareness ‘Virtual Dementia Tours’. These are two and a half hour courses for carers to give them a real understanding of what it is like to have dementia.”

Ms Allum added: "The grant means we can hire a specialist company to come and provide the training. Because of the very nature of being a carer, just getting here is a mammoth task as they have to get their loved ones looked after.

“What the grant will also do is to ensure that no carer has to pay for this and that transport will be provided.

“Rochford district can be very rural and this can heighten peoples' feelings of isolation, we will be getting the message out there and we will ensure that all Rochford District residents are made aware and those who are affected by Dementia get the chance to book a place."

PEOPLE affected by domestic abuse will get a helping hand from a £1,000 grant.

Rochford District Council gave the cash to Basildon Women's Aid for its specialist services for people affected by domestic abuse in and around the district, including counselling, community-based outreach services and practical and emotional support.

Chief Executive Jessica Barclay-Lambert said: "It's important to highlight the partnership working between us and Rochford Council. We are very grateful to Rochford Council for this grant and their ongoing support that allows us to continue to provide these essential services to all who need them."

ROCHFORD Scouts will be able to extend their hut with thanks to a £1,500 handout.

The 4th Rochford Scout Group were given the money towards an extension to the scout hall and the 1st Rayleigh Scout Group were given £800 to buy four new tents.

Bill Neobard, of the 4th Rochford Scout Group, said: "We, like many others in the Rochford District Council area, are successful and well-subscribed. Having a youth membership of over 100 including wheelchair-using membership.

“We provide opportunities for all children aged five to 14 years to make friends, build confidence and independence and to become good citizens.

“It is our aim to be fully inclusive and offer opportunities that raise aspirations for all children regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities."

 LOW-INCOME families will benefit from cash to give children a place to go in the summer.

Rochford District Council gave £500 to the Great Wakering Summer Play Scheme.

Held in the Great Wakering Community Centre, the sessions will run on between Monday, August 8 and Friday, August 12 from 10am to 12.30pm.

The events are open to all children up to age 11 and there is an under five’s room which gives a more protected play area for smaller children.

Kevin Stibbards, of the GWSP, said: "This is a not-for-profit event run by unpaid volunteers and the entrance fee is kept as low as possible to ensure that it can be accessible to as many families as possible.

“However, in recent years it has struggled financially and has made losses. Therefore the receipt of the grant from Rochford District Council is vitally important as this funding ensures the continuance of the event.

“In recent years more than 500 children have registered to attend each event where they can come for one or more days, or the whole week.”

CASTLE Point Association of Voluntary Services was given £1,000 to continue its befriending scheme in both Castle Point and Rochford.

Befrienders are people of all ages and from all walks of life that have offered their time on a voluntary basis.

They are paired with someone who is experiencing social isolation taking into account their interests and hobbies in order that they have some common ground on which build a rapport.

The aim of the service is to provide companionship and emotional support to the residents of Castle Point and Rochford.

A spokeswoman from CAVS befriending service said: “CAVS is extremely pleased to receive this funding and thank Rochford District Council for their contribution to the Befriending Scheme.

"The grant will provide support towards the service offered in the Rochford District for isolated individuals who would benefit from having increased companionship.”

SOUTHEND Achievement Through Football was awarded £1,350 towards the cost of providing a trained ATF football coach and buying new football kit and equipment.

Stuart Long, spokesman for the Rochford branch, said: “The grant is fantastic news for us and the young people of Rochford.

“Our weekly sessions in Rochford and Wakering provide the young people with a base and security and an alternative to getting into trouble.

“We operate from public areas which have been prone to antisocial behaviour and therefore even where we cannot directly engage with all the young people, we can be the eyes and ears for the community.”

All the other winners:

* Rayleigh Rochford and District Association for Voluntary Service, received £15,000, as a district wide organisation.

*Academy Soccer YFC has been awarded £1,500 towards the cost of a small tractor to help maintain football pitches.

* Old Peoples' Welfare Committee for Rochford District received £1,500 towards new chairs for the day centre.

*Hullbridge Senior Citizens Welfare Council received £1,500 for a new carpet.

*Great Wakering Thursday Club received £476 for blackout roller blinds at the Great Wakering Methodist Church.

*Southend Achievement Through Football received £1,350 towards the cost of providing a trained ATF coach for local projects and towards buying new football kit and equipment for their Rochford branch.

*Rochford District Schools Partnership £1,300 for the supply of educational psychologist and senior family support worker and to buy books and DVDs to lend to families – the RDSP helps disabled children and their families.

*Hullbridge Senior Citizens Welfare Council £1,500 towards the cost of carpeting the hall

*EQUAL People Performing Arts £1,460 towards the purchase of six conference tables and a projector (Rayleigh district)

*Rochford Bowling Club £1,500 towards the cost of maintaining the greens

*Rayleigh FC was awarded £1,195 to buy a defibrillator

*Footprints Community Group (a young peoples group in Rochford) £600 for a 10-session martial arts course

*The Bar n’ Bus Trust, part of the Rayleigh young people outreach support, £500 towards the cost of patio chairs, LED lighting and a projector.

*Rayleigh Age Concern at the Todman Centre received £1,500 to replace existing toilets and the disabled toilet at Rayleigh