Community supermarkets
Increases in fuel and food prices alongside rising interest rates have created a perfect storm for individuals and families alike, particularly those already on the lowest incomes. Those who were already financially vulnerable are constantly having to decide where to spend their limited finances, making difficult choices between heating, food and other essential day to day costs.
Things just seem to get harder; money goes nowhere at the moment. My kids are all adults, but I seem to feed them and the grandchildren two or three times a week which costs so much. If I can save by shopping here [Brooklands Community Shop] it means I worry less about running out of money before I get my pension each week.
Over the last year, Essex County Council has invested over £450,000 to open six community supermarkets. Shoppers browse the shelves of fixed sites like the Brooklands Community Shop in Jaywick or jump on board a double decker bus on Canvey Island. Having selected their food and household items, shoppers pay for them at the till saving between 30% and 40% on the same items purchased at an affordable supermarket like Aldi or Lidl.
At the time of writing over 1020 people have joined the six active Community Supermarkets, accessing affordable food and household items for over 2,200 adults and over 1600 children. 5 more funded community supermarkets are set to open across the remaining districts in Essex in 2024.
Honestly it’s a life saver, what I save on my bus fare into Clacton and my shopping here means I can put my heating back on.
Harlow Futures
Mental wellbeing plays a huge role in how residents see themselves and their communities. The life skills that you learn from a young age will stay with you as you grow up and teaching techniques and learning about your mental health at a young age is essential. We launched Harlow Futures in schools, a £180,000 project to help children and young people in Harlow to improve their educational prospects and take up opportunities.
The first stage focusses on supporting mental health and resilience in young people and the newly funded second stage focuses on care providers, supporting children outside of the school setting.
Helping the children understand why they are reacting how they do, helps them know that there’s not something wrong with them, that they’re ‘normal’ to feel how they do. I’ve really seen a difference in the classroom.
Literacy areas
Building strong relationships with our partners has been key to our success this year. We have joined forces with charities including Read Easy and the Shannon Trust. Local businesses, such as Hopefield Animal Sanctuary and Colchester Zoo, have also been extremely supportive of our work, allowing us to hold poetry competitions, workshops and story times on their sites and in collaboration with us in our libraries.
There are more opportunities in Essex than ever before to help you improve you and your families reading, writing and maths skills, whether you are in a library, a school or even a forest. With 74 literacy areas available, to find one near you visit the Essex Libraries website.
I have now read a book for the first time ever.