Anglian Community Trust Awards First Grants to Level Best Enterprises

Local community groups in North East Essex can apply for new funding to support life-changing projects following the relaunch of Anglian Community Trust. 

The organisation, which used to be part of Anglian Community Enterprises, restarted its grant programme recently at the opening of Level Best Enterprises’ new centre on St Johns Street.

It awarded its first grant as part of the relaunch, which consisted of purchasing 60 reusable takeaway cups for £600, to be used at the café in Level Best Enterprises’ new building.

It has also funded a compost toilet for Level Best Enterprises to use at its allotments in Colchester, which cost £1,740.

Councillor Julie Young, who is the chair of ACT, is delighted its grant-giving programme is up and running again and was very pleased to celebrate its new start with Level Best Enterprises.

“I have proudly chaired ACT for almost five years and enjoyed seeing the difference our investments have made. During COVID we supported charities that did so much to help our community in North East Essex, including the Foodbank and Next Chapter, which helps victims of domestic abuse, as well as other health professionals. I’m glad we can help people again, but with a refreshed philosophy and independent set-up.

                          (The picture above and images in the video below feature Directors from ACT who were present at the new centre launch)

“Trustees had a fantastic evening with Level Best recently, where we received a tour of their stunning new building and marked the start of our collaboration. The Dacon Trust is doing remarkable work with their trainees, to improve their skills and well-being. This new partnership fits perfectly with our ethos and mission and we are proud to work with them.”  

Alison Ling (on the left below), the manager of Level Best Enterprises, is very grateful for the funding support. “We had a great time at the launch. It was lovely to share the space with so many amazing local people and organisations.

The completion of the build and our move into it is such a milestone for us and an opportunity to offer our services to more people, as well as creating new opportunities.

“The new location has much better footfall, which drives customer numbers giving our trainees increased opportunities to interact with and serve members of the public. Due to the size of the space, we have also been able to develop new ‘front of house’ opportunities for our trainees, which involves working on the till, making and serving hot drinks and cakes.

Most importantly the new premises is fully accessible – both in terms of getting around the building, but also with regards to having height adjustable work-stations in the kitchen for wheelchair users.

“There’s also been really good feedback on the cups so far. Thank you so much to ACT for funding them.”

Additionally, Alison is delighted about the funding for the compost loo. “It means trainees who require regular access to a toilet will be able to take part in allotment sessions. It also means the allotment group could stay out for extended periods of time. Finally, it’s great to partner with a local organisation, like ACT, particularly after such a big step forward for Level Best.

Having support from another organisation gives us confidence going forward.”
Julie cannot wait to get going again with the newly invested ACT funds, which will enable the Directors to spend a portion of the returns on local community projects in the region. She is also looking forward to supporting more organisations with a different, more personal approach as compared to traditional funders.

“We want to set-up new partnerships with people, by working closely with them on a personal level during the lifetime of their projects, to help them grow and make a big impact. We are most interested in addressing health inequalities and supporting projects that help people to help themselves more, especially during the cost of living crisis. 

“We will listen carefully to their needs and will definitely consider life-changing projects that cannot receive funding from anywhere else. We are most interested in grassroot initiatives that need seed funding to get off the ground. Plus, ideally, we will support projects that can work together and support each other, to complete a long-term virtuous circle.”

The Trustees also might not just fund a project once. If they can see the initiative needs further funding after a certain amount of time to grow further, they will consider additional funding to keep it going.

Funding considerations will also be flexible so it can bend to the needs of each idea.

Frank Sims, the Treasurer for ACT, who used to be the Chief Executive of ACE, says that the vision of the Trustees has been based on consultation with the former members of ACE.

“They told us they wanted a proactive charity that was able to focus on improving mental wellbeing, that could help support people with housing needs and who could help local people help themselves.

We are looking to work with local entrepreneurs who can make a social return and, of course a financial one.

“This is truly exciting as we are in the start-up phase and therefore open to new ideas. As a Trustee Treasurer, of course I have one eye on the money, but at ACT we see ourselves as an original and innovative funder. We want to really connect with local people in a way that will empower them – after all, local people know what is best for them. We have such an opportunity to improve lives and I am excited to be a part of it.”

The Trust is also in the process of considering awarding £20,000 for two new projects a part of a Social Impact Hackathon recently organised by James Weaver, from The Weave and Colbea. They hope to announce grants for these projects soon.

In the mean-time, if you are keen to apply for one of their two programmes – small grants under £500 and larger grants over £500, you can visit their website to fill out our new application form.