by Matthew Martino
People living in Colchester and Tendring, who have learning disabilities, mental ill-health and autism are to receive extra support to help them communicate more effectively, thanks to a grant of £2,000 awarded by Colne Community Builders.
Bright Lives Social Enterprise, which is based at the Abbots Community Centre in Colchester, is receiving the money from the grant programme run by Essex housing association Colne Housing. It will enable them to train a regional Makaton Tutor to work with the adults who attend the centre.
Makaton is a language programme designed to help those with learning disabilities to communicate.
The Colne Community Builders Fund is managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF). Since the Fund was established in 2015 over £23,000 has been awarded to local charities and voluntary projects which enable independent living.
Applications are now being accepted for the next round of grants from the Fund from charities and community organisations in areas where Colne Housing operates – Babergh, Braintree, Chelmsford, Colchester, Maldon, Tendring and Uttlesford. Please call the ECF grants team on 01245 356018 or visit www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk for more information.
