A fund set up by Essex County Council is offering grants to charities and community groups to help support their work.

Essex Fund, which is managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation, has already channelled £1.4 million into local communities and is now seeking new applications.

This year, voluntary organisations can apply for funding of between £5,000 to £7,500 towards their core operating costs, projects or capital items.

The fund can support activities that help unpaid carers, improve the environment or engage people with the environment, provide a community resource or those that help young people to explore culture and heritage.

Cllr Eddie Johnson, chairman of Essex County Council, said: “Essex has a diverse range of voluntary and community organisations that do so much to improve the lives of local people and make their communities a better place to live.

“The impact that their work has is immeasurable and I am so pleased that the grants we award annually help to further their work.”

Among the charitable activities that have received funding in previous years are a virtual classroom for people with learning disabilities, a horticultural project for people with mental health issues and support for young carers.

Andy Payne Worpole, head of programmes at ECF, said: "The decision-making panel has a particular interest this year in supporting smaller voluntary organisations, projects that are working in deprived communities or organisations that are led by members of the community.

“There is a short application form on our website, but our friendly grants team are on hand to help on 01245 356018 if you have any questions.”

The deadline to submit an application is 5pm on Friday, March 4, 2022. For more information and to apply, visit www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk