Charity Partners

This small local charity has given help and support to hundreds of homeless people since it was launched 21 years ago and is supported by Felsted’s fundraising activities.

CHESS (Churches Homeless Emergency Support Scheme) seeks to relieve homelessness and related hardship and distress amongst single adults in Chelmsford and Essex, through the provision of support services and temporary accommodation that helps them move on in their lives.

This small local charity has given help and support to hundreds of homeless people since it was launched 21 years ago and is supported by Felsted’s fundraising activities. CHESS (Churches Homeless Emergency Support Scheme) seeks to relieve homelessness and related hardship and distress amongst single adults in Chelmsford and Essex, through the provision of support services and temporary accommodation that helps them move on in their lives.

Anyone can become homeless, and sleeping rough can be dangerous and cause damage to health. The longer someone sleeps rough, the greater the risk that they will become trapped on the streets and vulnerable to becoming a victim of abuse and crime, developing drug or alcohol problems, or experiencing problems with their health.

Rough sleepers may not be known to local services because they remain out of sight, bedding down at different times of day or night, and moving from place to place.

Not all rough sleepers are aware that advice and support is available to them.

CHESS provides food and drink, hygiene and laundry facilities, sleeping bags, clothing and toiletries for people sleeping rough, because everyone is of equal worth and equally deserving of respect and a fresh start.

Unlike NHS emergency services, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance is a charity and provides a 24-hour Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, which transports to hospital critically ill and injured patients in Essex, Hertfordshire and surrounding areas. Felsted’s fundraising activities contribute to the running of the service.

Each Essex & Herts Air Ambulance critical care team consists of a pilot and co-pilot, a pre-hospital care doctor and a critical care paramedic who are rushed to the scene with life-saving support equipment to deliver advanced clinical care, usually only available in the hospital emergency department. Once stabilised, the patient is conveyed to the most appropriate hospital by air or land.

Farleigh Hospice provides hospice care to people affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement across mid Essex.

 Since being established in 1982, their hospice and team of healthcare professionals has grown and evolved to meet the changing needs of the community they serve.

Farleigh provides care for any illness that is considered life-limiting (including cancer, neurological diseases, and chronic heart, lung, and renal diseases), both in their Inpatient Unit and in a patient’s home environments.

They also provide support for families and carers, and for people who have been bereaved. Their bereavement support is available to anyone in mid Essex, even if their bereavement is not connected to Farleigh Hospice.

Manor House take part in a Santa Fun Run, raising money for Farleigh Hospice.

Founded over 100 years ago, the Felsted Mission, Ascension Church and Community Centre provides a nightshelter, free lunches and activities for children and the elderly. Felsted pupils visit regularly and raise funds in support of their activities.

In the mid 19th Century, the poor but developing area of Royal Docks was brought to the attention of the Headmaster of Felsted. His actions led to the founding of the Felsted School Mission Association which proposed that every master, prefect and pupil pay a subscription to the Association. This funding meant that in 1887 a small brick and iron mission building could be built in Baxter Road, Custom House. By 1891 – just four years later – the mission had outgrown its first home. The Felsted School Mission Association contributed to the £5,500 cost of building a new centre and a former Felsted student, JEK Cutts, was appointed as architect. The new centre was dedicated on Ascension Day, 8 May 1902.

Today, the Felsted Mission, together with the Ascension Community Trust continues to work to fulfill its calling to be a church in the community, for the community, in the 21st century.

Every Tuesday & Thursday, a lunch is held for elderly members of the community. For some participants, this is their only chance to get out and about! The lunches are a lifeline for those who enjoy good food and conversation.
 

Felsted making a difference at the Nightshelter

The Ascension Church works with the local community through a Garden Cafe and youth activities, promoting fitness and social interaction. This now extends to the Royal Docks Academy, where one 100% bursary is offered to a pupil each year to attend Felsted School. Funded mainly by Old Felstedians and current students, the Felsted School Mission contributes some £40,000 per year to the Ascension. This goes towards helping to offer activities for the community. The resources we provide employ a youth worker, fund the football academy, contribute to the nightshelter and provide equipment for the youth club.

Visit the Ascension Trust Website to learn more

Founded by OF Matthew Spacie MBE; Magic Bus aims to steer some of the most disadvantaged children in Mumbai towards an improved life with better awareness, life skills and opportunities, in the journey from childhood to livelihood. Felsted has been connected with Magic Bus for many years, sharing resources and supporting their sports education. Felsted also organises a regular contingent of pupils to visit the centres to provide practical help and relief, as well as helping to educate our pupils on the great work that their fundraising has helped achieve.

Founded by OF Sarah Brook in 2015, Sparkle supports youth and the wider community in the Zomba district of Malawi, providing education, health and nutrition to some of their most vulnerable children. Since its inception, Felsted's has supported the foundation in providing water provision, classrooms, transport and clothing through fundraising, sponsorship and resource donation.

Visit the Sparkle Foundation website

Every year, Felsted School sponsors 30 students to access education in rural Uganda.

Teach Uganda's mission is to help transform the community in Kanungu, one of the most deprived regions in Uganda, by giving young people the opportunity to escape from poverty.

We believe that to change the situation for those most in need, first we must start with schools.

The charity was founded by Hamlet and Kellen Mbabazi. 100% of what we give goes straight to the school - not one penny is wasted on government agencies, NGO's (Non-Government Organisations) or corruption transfers - the charity is run by volunteers who are committed to the schools being run by Ugandans for Ugandans.

Teach Uganda runs several schools in Kanungu:

• Kirima Parents' Primary School
• Nyakabungo Parents' Primary School
• Great Lakes High School
• Great Lakes Regional University

Although primary education is theoretically free in Uganda, many children do not attend school, as parents are actually required to make a financial contribution. The quality of schooling is often poor, and parents would rather keep their children to work at home.

Young Minds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.

With a shocking 1 in 10 children between the ages of 5-16 having a diagnosable mental health problem, more than 80,000 children suffering from severe depression and 1 in 12 young people self-harming in the UK, Young Minds provides support and teaches vital strategies to help young people to cope with life’s adversities, find support when needed and live successful lives.

Felsted’s donations contribute to funding Young Minds initiatives raising awareness in schools and helping to remove the stigma of mental health. They also offer a Parents Helpline, to provide support to distressed parents and help them gain the knowledge they need to support their children.