Charities in Uttlesford are set to benefit from the latest round of grants offered by Saffron Community Fund (SCF).

The fund, which is run in partnership with Essex Community Foundation (ECF), offers unconditional financial support to charities, community groups and volunteer organisations across Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

Beneficiaries in Uttlesford include Accuro Care Services, which supports people with disabilities in west Essex, Saffron Walden's Forget Me Not Café, which helps people with dementia, and Hatfield Heath Village Hall Trust Men's Shed, which is a space for men to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Claire Hunnable, community business partner at Saffron Building Society, said: "Our approach to selecting the successful applicants for the Saffron Community Fund goes far beyond what each individual charity wants to use the money for, instead we look at the charity as a whole and base our decision on overall community impact. 

"The harsh reality faced by so many charitable organisations at the moment due to increased costs is how they can keep the lights on, and the Saffron Community Fund is on hand to support them in this time of need."

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This year saw the Saffron Building Society open applications for the community fund twice - the first time since its creation 11 years ago.

Charities across the region will be awarded more than £25,000 between them over the coming months.

Other Essex beneficiaries include Colchester CAP Debt Centre, Kool Carers South East Limited in Brentwood and the YMCA Thames Gateway, also in Brentwood.

In Haverhill, Suffolk, the fund is supporting the charities Families Together and Memories Are Golden, as well as Young Concern Trust in Hertfordshire.

Caroline Taylor, chief executive of ECF, said: "Saffron is an excellent example of a local business putting community at the heart of everything they do.

"Their decision-making panel, made up of employees and members, recognises the importance of supporting running costs, which is a priority for many charities at this time.

"By choosing to give local, they get to visit the groups to see the difference their funding has made."

To apply for the next round of funding go to https://www.saffronbs.co.uk/saffron-community-fund.