Giles Watling, MP for Clacton, has met with Grassroots, a charity that specialises in providing small grants to voluntary and community organisations, who are involved in delivering social welfare services across North East Essex.
Giles, who has recently agreed to become a Patron of Grassroots, met with Sue Hawes, Director of Grassroots, on 9th August, and discussed the work that they do and the type of charities they aim to support.
Grassroots were established in 1989, and have distributed over £558,000 to over 900 local organisations. Five grants, totalling £1,465, were awarded in the most recent funding round, and this money will directly benefit an estimated 330 people in the Colchester and Tendring areas.
Many of the local organisations that Grassroots supports are smaller and less well-known, and undertake a great deal of vital work in their community, while sometimes struggling financially. Moreover, it is often difficult for larger funding providers to identify smaller local organisations that need support, but Grassroots’ local knowledge can assist with this, so a suitable recipient can be found.
Grassroots currently relies on the generosity of its donors, without whom none of this would have been possible. In the past these donors have included local individuals and businesses who are determined to help make a difference in their area. If you would like to donate or apply to become a trustee of Grassroots, please get in touch on 01206 587000 or by visiting www.grassrootscharity.org.
Giles said
“Grassroots certainly do an amazing job to support our local community groups, many of whom may be struggling financially whilst delivering invaluable support to the most vulnerable in our society. I am pleased to become a Patron of this wonderful organisation, and hope that residents and businesses in the Clacton constituency will continue to do all they can to support their work.”