Colchester and Tendring Community Trust

Colchester and Tendring Community Trust, operating as Grassroots, is an independent grantmaking charity established in 1989 by Westley Sandford (charity number 803193) to empower small voluntary and community groups in North East Essex—specifically Colchester and Tendring—delivering social welfare services that enhance quality of life for disadvantaged, vulnerable, isolated, or lonely residents. Its grassroots ethos emphasizes modest grants alongside advocacy, advice, and information to foster local empowerment, resilience, and community cohesion, prioritizing relationship-driven interventions over large-scale efforts.

The Trust funds projects tackling social exclusion, loneliness, deprivation, and vulnerability, supporting older people, at-risk youth, carers, and marginalized groups through befriending schemes, youth mentoring to prevent crime, drop-in advice centres, mental health initiatives, skills/employability programs, community hubs, and capacity-building activities. Examples include UTurn 4 Support's youth clubs, African Families UK's provisions, and Age Well East's befriending expansion, favoring innovative, under-resourced pilots or new activities with direct local impact.

Eligible applicants are small grassroots voluntary and community organizations (not individuals or large national charities) delivering exclusively for Colchester and Tendring residents, with a preference for those with limited income/resources; no religious restrictions apply, and unsolicited applications are welcomed. Grants typically range from £500 to £3,000 (most £1,000–£2,500) for projects or small capital/core costs. Submit via online form on a rolling basis, reviewed quarterly (March, June, September, December)—ideally 6 weeks prior for 8–12 week decisions. Distinctively hyper-local and small-scale focused, it stands out as the go-to for practical, community-grounded support in these areas.