233cd8a4

Opening the Farm Gate for Vulnerable Young People

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 11:09:58 GMT

At Dedham Therapy Farm, the rustling of animals and the rhythm of outdoor work are doing what classrooms and clinics sometimes can't. A £1,000 grant from Grassroots in 2025 has meant that even more families can find their way here.

Children and young people with diagnoses spanning autism spectrum disorder (ASD), pathological demand avoidance (PDA), ADHD and a wide range of other developmental needs can face daily barriers in forming relationships, building routines, developing fine and gross motor skills and managing their emotions in unpredictable environments.

Traditional clinical settings don't always work for them. But something changes when there are animals to tend, soil to dig, and a pace of life set by the seasons.

Young people, referred to as farm assistants, typically attend on a weekly basis. Every session is purposefully planned. Goals are drawn up collaboratively, pulling together information from the young person themselves, their family, their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and any other services involved in their care. Activities are then tailored to meet those goals, whether that's practising a particular physical skill, building confidence in a group, or simply establishing the kind of positive routine that forms the bedrock of daily life.

Many of those referred are funded by their local authority or school. But around half of all attendees are self-funding. Families are paying out of their own pockets for a service their child genuinely needs and the farm has worked hard to keep those fees as low as possible, knowing how stretched household budgets are right now.

The grant amount is modest but the impact is direct and personal.

'It is lovely to see them building relationships with staff and peers and hearing them laugh. Often the farm is the only place they attend in the week.'

Dedham Therapy Farm team

Our thanks go to everyone at the Farm for their hard work and achievements.

Website: www.dedhamtherapyfarm.org

Facebook: Dedham Therapy Farm

Supporting Parents of Children With Additional Needs

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:49:36 GMT

How Our £1,000 Grant Helped The Maze Group Make a Real Difference

At Grassroots Charity, we are committed to funding community-led projects that create genuine, tangible change for local families. Earlier this year, we awarded £1,000 to The Maze Group to support their work with parents and carers of children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions and additional needs.

Now, several months on, we’re delighted to share the impact this small but powerful grant has helped to achieve.

Growing Support for Families Since May 2025

From May 2025 to today, 461 parents and carers have attended coffee mornings across Colchester and Tendring. For many families, these mornings are a lifeline: a place to meet others who understand, to share experiences openly, and to receive guidance in a calm, welcoming environment.

The sessions have helped reduce the isolation many parents of children with SEND often feel. The sense of community that has developed is both powerful and inspiring.

How Our Funding Was Used

Our grant was allocated specifically to supporting the work of The Maze Group’s Emotional Support Workers , a team that lies at the heart of these coffee mornings.

Their role includes:

Offering 1:1 emotional and wellbeing support
Facilitating supportive, inclusive group conversations
Spotting emerging needs and signposting parents to relevant services
Creating a safe, non-judgemental space where families feel heard and valued

Feedback from parents highlights just how essential these workers have been. Their presence brings reassurance, compassion, and expertise to each session, helping families feel understood, supported, and empowered.

The Difference This Grant Has Made

Although the grant was modest in size, the impact has been profound. By helping to fund Emotional Support Workers, we’ve been able to contribute to a service that strengthens emotional wellbeing, builds confidence, and fosters genuine community connection for hundreds of parents.

The Maze Group continues to make a meaningful difference every week, and we look forward to seeing how the project grows in the months ahead.

www.themazegroup.co.uk

Victorian Christmas Market 15 November 2025

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:47:58 GMT

Grassroots had a brilliant time at the CVST Christmas Market in Clacton on 15th November 2025. Thank you to everyone who supported our stall and to the organisers. Merry Christmas.

Annual General Meeting 2025

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 09:21:34 GMT

Celebrating Community Spirit: Grassroots Charity AGM Highlights Local Impact

Grassroots Charity held its Annual General Meeting on June 24, 2025 - an event that brought together community leaders, public officials, and champions of the voluntary sector to celebrate the transformative power of local action.

The AGM, held in Colchester, was attended by the Mayor of Colchester, the Chairman of Tendring District Council, and a host of representatives from across the local voluntary and community sectors. Their attendance underscored the vital importance of voluntary-sector work in shaping healthier, more connected communities.

A key highlight of the day was the presentation of financial awards to 10 outstanding voluntary organisations by Tim Stokes, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Essex. These organisations, each providing vital social welfare services across Colchester and Tendring, were recognised for their tireless dedication to improving lives and supporting vulnerable residents.

From tackling social isolation and mental health to offering debt support and community transport services, the awarded groups reflect the heart of what makes our region strong: a commitment to compassion, collaboration, and care.

The event served not just as a formal AGM, but as a celebration of the passion and perseverance that defines the voluntary sector. Attendees shared stories, ideas, and future plans, all with a shared vision of fostering well-being and resilience in our communities.

As Grassroots Charity looks ahead, we remain inspired by the energy and impact of the local groups we serve. We are proud to be part of a movement where ordinary people are achieving extraordinary things.

Thank you to everyone who made the AGM a success, and congratulations once again to the award-winning organisations. Your work continues to change lives for the better.

New Members at Dumont Bowls Club

Thu, 01 May 2025 08:53:10 GMT

Club attracts 10 new members

With a little help from Grassroots, Dumont Bowls Club is delighted to report that it has been able to attract 10 new members. The club was awarded funds which were used to buy advertising in the local magazine and to purchse 2 banners promoting the club. The club meets regularly at Dumont Hall in Point Clear, St Osyth and now boasts 22 members some of whom are pictured enjoying their tea break. The funds also helped with hall hire and extra woods. Clubs like this are essential for keeping people active and providing social opportunities which are vital to good health. We wish the club continuing success.

Grassroots helps with fun activities at Pre-school

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:44:49 GMT

Stepping Stones Play and Learn Group put grant to good use

Stepping Stones Play and Learn in Colchester supports pre-school schildren with complex and challenging needs. A grant of £1,000 from Grassroots has been used to purchase tailored and fun activities which lead to positive outcomes for the choldren. Liz Taverner told us: 'The support given by Grassroots is invaluable and impacts our children by helping them to learn in a fun and stimulating environment at their own pace. It allows us to focus on child-led and

child-motivated themes.'

Helping Blossome CIC to Blossom

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:23:53 GMT

Trauma awareness training transforms organisation

With a little help from Grassroots, Blossome CIC was able to research and deliver Trauma Awareness Training which has transformed the way the organisation works. 10 members attended the bespoke workshop to gian a deep understanding of complex trauma. The organisation helps those affected by a loved one's addiction and the training now informs every activitiy undertaken. Kim Moore, founder of Blossome told us: 'It has helped our programme leaders and volunteers to develop a greater understanding of how to hold space for our community members which is critical to their healing'.

Dovercourt Community Allotment

grassrootscharity@outlook.com (Sue Hawes) — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 15:28:34 GMT

Green Shoots Thanks to Grassroots

In February 2020 Grassroots gave £1000 to Tendring community Voluntary Services towards getting their Dovercourt Community Allotment up and running. The community allotment has been a life line for residents over recent days and weeks. Although the site has only been used by a few people during covid-19, the benefits to those people have been life changing. One said “without the allotment to visit life could have been much harder. I don’t know how I would have coped”. Members who have been shielding have been painting stones to label the vegetables whilst at home. This has given everyone things to do even if they have not been physically able to attend the site.

New Grant Making Trust Launched

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 16:52:23 GMT

A new grant making Trust has been launched helping community and voluntary organisations operating in Essex and Suffolk.

The Tudwick Foundation provides support, principally by direct contributions, to small organisations for specific and well-defined projects directed to charitable purposes according to the laws of England and Wales in the geographical regions
of Essex and Suffolk. Funding will be prioritised for community projects where the greatest
number of people will benefit, mainly voluntary organisations and community groups that are
addressing outstanding social needs. The charity is happy to support requests for core funding
as well as project-based grants, and actively encourages applications from relatively new
organisations to help them become established. For more information and application details please visit the charity's website www.tudwickfoundation.org.uk.

Trustees of Grassroots join in the fun and dress in Victorian costume at the Victorian Christmas Market

Sun, 24 Nov 2019 16:52:23 GMT

The Victorian Christmas Market proved a festive hit once again and Grassroots' trustees raised £131 by raffling delicious Christmas Hampers. A big thank you to all who took part.

Celebrating 30 Years

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 15:52:23 GMT

Making the most of the summer weather, trustees, supporters and grant recipients came together in June 2019 to celebrate 30 years of supporting the local community through small grants and practical help.

The Colchester & Tendring Community Trust, now known as Grassroots Charity, was set up in 1989 to provide financial and practical support to voluntary and community welfare groups serving the local area.
Since then more than 1000 small grants have been handed out across North East Essex and the charity held a garden party to mark the occasion. Trustees and patrons of the charity were joined by supporters and grant recipients to celebrate the charity’s achievements.