VOLUNTARY and community organisations working in Harlow are being encouraged to apply for grants from the Harlow Recreation Trust.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for projects and activities that support the development of recreational skills, knowledge and talent for the benefit of people living in Harlow.

The Trust, which is managed by Essex Community Foundation (ECF), has awarded grants totalling £330,000 since it was established with ECF in 2010. ECF assesses all applications to the Trust and works with a panel of local people who share their local knowledge and expertise to help make decisions on which applications to support.

Caroline Taylor, chief executive of ECF, said: “The grants awarded from this Trust help build recreational skills and confidence. Over the past 9 years, a wide range of projects have benefited from support, including horticultural therapy sessions, sports clubs and a weekly group for young carers.

The Offshoot Foundation received £3,225 to run film workshops for young people during the Summer holidays.

“The grants team at ECF are available to discuss ideas and funding needs. Grants will generally be for one year, but for exceptional projects the panel may consider awarding funds for more than one year.”

Plant Pots and Wellies were among the organisations to have been awarded funding previously. A grant of £5,000 enabled them to buy tools and equipment to set up a new horticultural therapy project in Harlow for people with additional needs and disabilities.

The Offshoot Foundation also received a grant of £3,225 from the Harlow Recreation Trust to provide film workshops to young people during the Summer holidays.

Paul Press, from The Offshoot Foundation, said: “Our workshops help young people to learn hands-on skills in filmmaking and editing. They also develop leadership and teamwork skills and increase their aspirations for future careers.

“We believe that everyone should have access to the media arts and know that a creative career is an option for them, which is why the first workshop will be based around music videos.”

For more information and to apply for a grant, visit https://www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk/about/news/grants-available-to-build-skills-in-harlow?dm_i=1X1Z,6E6XH,R75XG0,PBBPX,1 or call the grants team on 01245 356018.

The deadline for submitting applications is 5pm on 6 September 2019.