NINE organisations will benefit from a share of more than £85,000 to help tackle health inequalities in Essex.

The groups have all secured grants through Essex County Council’s Public Health Accelerator Bids (PHAB) programme.

Supporting the aims of the Essex Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities Business Plan, PHAB funds projects which aim to improve the mental and physical health of Essex residents.

Grants are awarded across two funding streams, small grants less than £7,500 and major grants over £15,000.

So far, more than 30 projects have received small grants through the programme.

The latest successful projects, which have received a total of £87,339, are:

The MAZE Group CIC, Tendring: to provide one-to-one emotional wellbeing support to parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust, Basildon: to extend the Essex Pedal Power project by 100 additional bikes, meaning a total of 250 free bikes are available to staff living in disadvantaged areas of Basildon.

Rhiannon Faith Company, Harlow: to host year-round weekly creative workshops followed by a ‘Care Cafe’, which provides an opportunity to socialise and discuss mental health over a cup of tea, supported by a counsellor.

The Flex Youth and Community Group CIC, Basildon: to support the ‘We are Kings’ project, offering targeted support groups for men across two groups, one for teens aged 12 to 19 and the other for men over 19.

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Tendring: to develop a new pathway within the Children Learning Disability Service to support parents through compassionate psychoeducation workshops in Clacton.

Tiptree Community Hub CIC, Colchester: to provide a programme of mental health support for children via a five-week course delivered by Ollie and his superheroes, targeting seven to 16-year-olds.

The Next Chosen Generation CIC, Basildon: to support a project improving the mental and emotional health of young people and parents.

Reach Group Community Projects, Basildon, Clacton, Braintree, Chelmsford and Uttlesford: to support a ten-week programme of boxing and therapeutic mentoring for young girls as well as three CPD training courses for schools.

Mind in West Essex, Uttlesford: to support the creation of the Saffron Walden Community Garden, which will be open to the whole community and provide home-grown seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Councillor John Spence, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Integration, said: “Our PHAB small grants programme has already supported a number of innovative public health projects in Essex, many of which are helping residents and communities facing major challenges in life.

“It is highly encouraging to hear of the positive results this programme is helping to deliver, and the difference these projects can make to residents’ health and wellbeing.”

One of the previous recipients of a small grant through the PHAB programme is Muscle Mind Care CIC.

The grant has allowed the community interest company to offer free fitness classes for pregnant women and new dads.

The classes focus on tackling health inequalities by targeting those facing mental and physical health challenges.

Classes, which take place in Colchester, are led by Director Emma Carpenter.

She said: “PHAB funding has empowered us to offer our parent and baby exercise classes for free, reaching more families in need.

“With this support, we’ve created a welcoming community where parents can improve their physical and mental health, building connections and resilience.

“We ensure no parent faces the challenges of parenthood alone, something I know firsthand as a new mum myself now. Our classes put a massive smile on my face.

“It makes me so happy that this funding has made our classes welcoming, inclusive, and a place where parents look forward to coming week in and week out.”

One of the course attendees, Cheyenne, said: “Emma provides a very welcoming class and it’s so refreshing having a class that enables parents to take babies along. The fact it is fully funded is so helpful, especially due to the cost of living.”

Abi added: “Emma’s classes are great at bringing together mums and positively impacting both their physical and mental wellbeing.”

Find out more about PHAB at www.essex.gov.uk/phab.

Funding distributed through Essex County Council’s Public Health Accelerator Bids programme.Nine organisations will benefit from a share of more than £85,000 to help tackle health inequalities in Essex.The groups have all secured grants through Essex County Council’s Public Health Accelerator Bids (PHAB) programme.Supporting the aims of the Essex Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities Business Plan, PHAB funds projects which aim to improve the mental and physical health of Essex residents.Grants are awarded across two funding streams, small grants less than £7,500 and major grants over £15,000.So far, more than 30 projects have received small grants through the programme.The latest successful projects, which have received a total of £87,339, are: The MAZE Group CIC, Tendring: to provide one-to-one emotional wellbeing support to parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust, Basildon: to extend the Essex Pedal Power project by 100 additional bikes, meaning a total of 250 free bikes are available to staff living in disadvantaged areas of Basildon.Rhiannon Faith Company, Harlow: to host year-round weekly creative workshops followed by a ‘Care Cafe’, which provides an opportunity to socialise and discuss mental health over a cup of tea, supported by a counsellor. The Flex Youth and Community Group CIC, Basildon: to support the ‘We are Kings’ project, offering targeted support groups for men across two groups, one for teens aged 12 to 19 and the other for men over 19.Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Tendring: to develop a new pathway within the Children Learning Disability Service to support parents through compassionate psychoeducation workshops in Clacton.Tiptree Community Hub CIC, Colchester: to provide a programme of mental health support for children via a five-week course delivered by Ollie and his superheroes, targeting seven to 16-year-olds.The Next Chosen Generation CIC, Basildon: to support a project improving the mental and emotional health of young people and parents.Reach Group Community Projects, Basildon, Clacton, Braintree, Chelmsford and Uttlesford: to support a ten-week programme of boxing and therapeutic mentoring for young girls as well as three CPD training courses for schools.Mind in West Essex, Uttlesford: to support the creation of the Saffron Walden Community Garden, which will be open to the whole community and provide home-grown seasonal fruit and vegetables.Councillor John Spence, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Integration, said: “Our PHAB small grants programme has already supported a number of innovative public health projects in Essex, many of which are helping residents and communities facing major challenges in life.”It is highly encouraging to hear of the positive results this programme is helping to deliver, and the difference these projects can make to residents’ health and wellbeing.”One of the previous recipients of a small grant through the PHAB programme is Muscle Mind Care CIC.The grant has allowed the community interest company to offer free fitness classes for pregnant women and new dads.The classes focus on tackling health inequalities by targeting those facing mental and physical health challenges.Classes, which take place in Colchester, are led by Director Emma Carpenter.She said: “PHAB funding has empowered us to offer our parent and baby exercise classes for free, reaching more families in need.”With this support, we’ve created a welcoming community where parents can improve their physical and mental health, building connections and resilience.”We ensure no parent faces the challenges of parenthood alone, something I know firsthand as a new mum myself now. Our classes put a massive smile on my face.”It makes me so happy that this funding has made our classes welcoming, inclusive, and a place where parents look forward to coming week in and week out.”One of the course attendees, Cheyenne, said: “Emma provides a very welcoming class and it’s so refreshing having a class that enables parents to take babies along. The fact it is fully funded is so helpful, especially due to the cost of living.”Abi added: “Emma’s classes are great at bringing together mums and positively impacting both their physical and mental wellbeing.”Find out more about PHAB at www.essex.gov.uk/phab.