The Witham Hub, has received a National Lottery Community Fund Grant of £250,000 towards its ‘empowering and employing project’. Announced at a special ceremony held at the Hub in the Grove Centre, Witham on Friday 6th October by Tina Townsend, Chair of the Witham Hub Trustees, the grant will be paid out over the next five years and will allow the Hub to further professionalise its operation and significantly expand its work in the community.
The event was attended by Cllr Diana Garrod, Chairman of Braintree District Council, Rachael Luckin from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK, Cadent Gas, who supported the funding application and the full board of Hub Trustees as well as representatives from a wide range of local businesses and charities.
Helen Bushell, Head of Regional Funding for London, the South-East and East of England at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to the dedication of staff and volunteers at The Witham Hub, and the money raised by National Lottery players, this funding will boost the mental and physical wellbeing of families in a deprived area of Essex. Our ambition is to invest most in places, people and communities experiencing poverty, disadvantage and discrimination. I’m delighted that our funding is being used to expand the service and help people to live healthier lives.”
Cllr Diana Garrod, Chairman of Braintree District Council said: “This wonderful contribution from the National Lottery Community Fund to The Witham Hub will enable them to employ more staff so that their project can be expanded. This will help identify where the need is greatest, such as those facing poverty, disadvantage or discrimination and will help anyone experiencing difficulties to navigate their way through these problems. It is the provision of services such those being offered by the Hub that strengthens communities and improves the lives of so many people who would otherwise struggle with life’s ever increasing pressures.“
Tina Townsend, Chair of Trustees said: “I am extremely proud of the Hub and its wonderful team for achieving this incredible success, which is a major step forward in our development and history. My particular thanks go to the National Lottery Community Fund for recognising the Hub and making it possible for us to employ three new members of staff to support the team here and help so many more people in the community of Witham.”
Founded in 2017 by Tina Townsend, Chair of the Hub’s Trustees working with Essex County Council, the Witham Hub was created to promote social inclusion for the benefit of individuals living in the town of Witham and its surrounding area. This is achieved by helping to prevent people from becoming socially excluded through relieving their needs and helping them to integrate back into society.