COMMUNITY projects worth £60,000 have been funded by a housing association to enhance the lives of residents and communities.

Eastlight Community Homes has funded projects which include new benches, colourful murals, and a national youth rugby tour for youngsters.

Eastlight has three resident groups (ERGs) who are each given annual budgets to spend on small changes that make a big difference to their local communities.

Last year’s budgets, totalling £60,000, went on an array of initiatives and community improvements.

Eastlight’s ERG North provided funding for students from Earls Colne Primary School and Ramsey Academy in Halstead to transform a mural on a garage site in Earls Colne, using paints and a nature theme.

Technology curriculum leader at the Ramsey Academy Jenny Gerrard said: “Our Year 9 students thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the mural project.

“It was wonderful for the students, parents, and school to see how their early ideas developed and were brought to life in such a special way.”

In the ERG Mid group, young rugby players from Braintree had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see up-and-coming superstar, Louis Rees-Zammitt play in Wales, through a paid-for national youth rugby tour to Cardiff in April.

Halstead Gazette:

Daniel Cole, a Head Coach for the under 14s team at Braintree Rugby Club, said: “A huge thank you to Eastlight.

“The money went towards a personal shirt for each player and a coach for the tour, and also a ticket each to watch Newport Dragons vs Gloucester.

“For a large number of the young players, it was their first-time experiencing being on a rugby tour and will be a special memory for a long time.”

As well as that, the Mid ERG also provided funding for John Ray Infants School in Braintree to improve their outside learning environment

These included a water wall within their water area, an area for the use of scooters, bikes, and small games, a sand area, and a mud kitchen.

A representative from the school said: “Please accept the sincere thanks from all of the children and staff for your generous donation.

“We have been encouraging the children to use their motor skills by digging in both the sand area and the mud kitchen, as it has been noticeable how many have underdeveloped strength due to the time missed outside and at school during the lockdowns.”