A CHARITABLE fund has been set up to improve the health, well-being and life chances of local people.

Greenfields Community Housing and Braintree Council have teamed up to jointly fund the scheme, which is open to voluntary and community organisations.

The fund offers up to £40,000 over three years and grants will support projects which help to improve health and well-being, increase aspirations and opportunities of young people or develop skills through training.

Sandra Crosby, Greenfields housing director, said: "Greenfields wants to help enable people in the District to access the best services. We know that local charities are well-placed to help people to make positive changes to their lives.

"This new fund will provide organisations with the financial support that they will need in order to run their projects over the longer-term."

The scheme will be managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation, which Greenfields has been working with since 2008.

In that time, more than £1million has been distributed to local voluntary and community organisations.

Councillor Wendy Schmitt, chair of the panel for the first year, said: “This joint grant fund represents a great opportunity for local organisations to come forward with their ideas to help improve and develop facilities for local people, that’s why we’re very proud to be part of it.”

A panel made up of representatives from Greenfields and Braintree District Council will meet with ECF to discuss and agree applications to the fund.

The deadline date for expressions of interest is August 31.

Applicants can visit essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk or call the ECF grants team on 01245 356018.