A philanthropic mission

The Braintree District has a long and successful history of philanthropy and community giving. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries this was mostly driven by large-scale industrial businesses. Substantial profits were invested back into the Braintree District. These profits built homes for workers, community buildings and green open recreational spaces - most of which have

remained a lasting benefit to residents.

Today, the District is made up of a greater number of smaller (micro) businesses. The Braintree District Foundation is on a mission: to reconnect businesses with people and communities. We will build up strong and lasting relationships with local businesses,

philanthropists and individuals to encourage community giving.

The Braintree District Foundation will, in its first year, create a Braintree District Community Endowment Fund built up from the generous donations given by local businesses, philanthropists and individuals. The Fund will be used to establish a small grants scheme allowing local people and community groups to bid for funding. We will match people and ideas to support community

projects throughout the Braintree District.

The Braintree District Foundation will put people and communities at the heart of everything it does. It will act with professionalism and integrity to ensure that the Braintree District benefits from its

existence.

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Braintree District Foundation

Community Interest Company

“Passionate about working in partnership to

support flourishing communities”

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Who we are

Brooks Newmark President

"Brooks is currently a Research Associate in the Department of Politics & International Relations at Oxford University and is writing a report on Homelessness in the UK with Crisis and the Centre for Social Justice (due to be published in 2017).

Brooks was the Member of Parliament for Braintree (2005-15) Brooks served in the Coalition Government as Minister for Civil Society, with responsibility for charities, the voluntary sector and youth (2014) having previously served on the Treasury Select Committee (2012 -14 and 2006-7) and as a Government Whip and Lord Commissioner HM Treasury (2010 - 12). In Opposition Brooks also served as a Whip (2007-10) Brooks was Co-Chairman and Founder of Women2Win; Founder of the Million Jobs Campaign; and Chairman of the United & Cecil Club. Brooks has served on the Board of the Harvard Alumni Association (Harvard University) and has served on the Advisory Board of London Business School's Private Equity Institute. Prior to entering politics Brooks was a Senior Partner at Apollo Management LP, a leading International Private Equity firm. Brooks was educated at Harvard College (AB History) and Harvard Business School (MBA Finance). He was also a Politics Research Graduate at Worcester College Oxford.

Brooks founded the charity A Partner In Education in 2010 and has built a Primary School for 300 children in Rwanda.

Joanne Beavis Co Director and Founder

I was born in the Braintree District in 1969 and have lived and worked here all my life. In 2011 I sold my business of 20 years to concentrate on my community role. In 2013 I established the Gosfield Foundation Community Interest Company which, in its first year, established the new Gosfield Village Community Shop. Last year the Gosfield Foundation awarded grants for children’s play equipment, children’s sports equipment and to community group projects.

I have been an elected member of Braintree District Council, representing the Hedinghams’ ward, since 2003 and held the Cabinet responsibility for Health and Communities for 9 years. I’m a member of the Local Government Association, based in London where I sit on the Safer Stronger Communities Board. I’m a Board Member of Active Essex working in association with Sport England.

I have a strong sense of community and wellbeing and a real affection towards the Braintree District. The Braintree District Foundation presents a real opportunity to create long and lasting relationships. It is ensuring that investments received make a significant difference to people’s lives and it is creating a lasting legacy for the District of Braintree.

The Braintree District Foundation Community Interest Company exists as a direct result of the generosity of its donors. The strength of the Foundation will be to continue to ensure that we focus on building relationships and listen to the voice of our donors and the needs and aspirations of people and communities.

Our experience and knowledge of the Braintree District gives us a real opportunity to work with our local connections. Giving through the Braintree District Foundation allows you to channel your giving locally. Local community giving is a rewarding and fulfilling thing to do and it strengthens and enriches people and communities.

Caroline Burrows-Wren Co Director and Founder

Born in London in 1961. My Grandparents moved to Braintree in the 70' s, I followed them in 1995. After the enjoyment of teaching in preschool and further education for over 20 years, I set up my company (Wren Consultancy) in 2007 to provide an employment support service and computer training for disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the Braintree District.

The company was registered as a Community Interest Company in 2013 to enable the continuation of what has proven to be a valuable service. Within just 6 years the company successfully helped over 3000 people aged from 18 years old and over with basic computer lessons, CV writing and securing employment (two clients being just over 100 years old).

I am very excited about the future of the Braintree District Foundation which is building relationships within the community is promoting local philanthropy. Joanne, Brooks and I make a strong team. We all bring a wealth of experience and skills in listening to our community and meeting the needs of the disadvantaged and vulnerable .

I have met some amazing people that have been through some very difficult times, Having first hand experience of feeling very vulnerable myself and not having the support I needed at the right time has strengthened my understanding and provided me with empathy of those around me.

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GOSFIELD FOUNDATION

Community Interest Company.

Companies number: 8880098.

The Gosfield Foundation cic and the Braintree District Foundation cic are linked as each other’s benefactors. Both cic’s have one common goal: Support and develop the needs of the local community. “One of life’s great challenges is that nothing stays the same. The strength of the Gosfield Foundation is to help support the needs of our people and our place in a forever changing environment. Gosfield is a wonderful place to live but, like most other areas of the country, investment is needed to ensure we retain

and enhance our amenities and community assets.” Joanne Beavis (Founder).

The Gosfield Foundation cic looks forward to working closely with the Braintree District Foundation cic to ensure that projects that matter to people are delivered at the heart of the community.

The Gosfield Foundation exists as a direct result of our donors and projects like the Gosfield Village Shop. The Gosfield Foundation would like to encourage more people, families and businesses to invest in the Foundation in order to support our work.

Since it was established in 2013 the Gosfield Foundation cic has funded many community projects. These include: The Gosfield Village Shop. Contributions to: Gosfield Village Fete. Cricket bats for young children. The new Gosfield Zip Wire. The Queen’s 90

th birthday celebration parties.

The Gosfield Village Shop is open 7 days a week. It employs two staff members and is supported by over 40 regular volunteers. To date two volunteers have successfully completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The award is a journey of personal discovery and adventure for young people The profits from the Gosfield Village Shop are ring-fenced for projects in the village of Gosfield.

The Gosfield Village Shop is located at the Playing Field, Church Road, Gosfield.

Working together

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Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens & Tesco ~ “our first project”

A volunteer from Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens approached BDF seeking support with the hard work that is involved in providing our community with such a beautiful place to go and play or relax . We were also approached by Tesco of Braintree Town Centre as they wanted to become further involved in community projects. As a result we introduced Tesco to the team at the gardens and we are now all working together by providing the voluntary run gardens with some much needed help with maintenance, Tesco also provided gardening tools. BDF is also sponsoring an area of garden at the main entrance to the Public Gardens. .

POhWER

POhWER are a charity that provides information, advocacy and advice services across England, offering direct and local support via Professionals and Volunteers. POhWER’s independent, free services reach individuals struggling with particular challenges in their lives.

Advocacy means enabling your voice to be heard, speaking for you when you can’t and supporting you when you can. Advocacy is about supporting, enabling, and empowering you to express your views and concerns and access information and services where needed.

The POhWER team have requested Caroline to work with them as an outreach supporter for vulnerable people. This will take place when the Foundation has a Braintree Town Centre base which we need your support in achieving. POhWER will also have a hot desk the Town Centre base for their team to enable them to help some of our most vulnerable members of our community. We are looking forward to working with POhWER.

Our Progress & Projects

Registered charity no. 212989

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Tiggy’s Barn

Tiggy's Barn in Greenstead Green. It is a Small animal petting farm and educational centre for children of all ages. It is so obvious that Maria and Jason (Proprietors) have a real passion for the well-being of animals and truly believe in what they are doing (Providing care for animals and education for us all). Tiggy's maybe small at the moment, however it is growing week by week.

Maria and Jason do all of the work themselves along with some very valuable volunteers. They do need all the support available.

The farm is in much need of building materials for the barns and housing, in preparation for winter, grass seeds for some of the outside areas and volunteers. Braintree District Foundation is looking forward to working with and supporting Maria and Jason and proud to be part of a great future at Tiggy's.

Braintree Youth Project

Braintree Youth Project Charity (BYPC) work with young people at their drop in centre in the heart of Braintree town centre providing somewhere safe for young people to congregate and offer opportunities for them to have fun, grow and receive support when they need it.

Saha Braintree Foyer

Braintree Foyer supported by Saha which is a modern support housing development providing self catered rooms and support services to young people aged 16-24 experiencing homelessness. We strongly believe in supporting the needs of our community members this includes the vulnerable, the disadvantaged this generation and the next.

Braintree District Foundation is looking forward to working closely with

Our Progress & Projects

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Since our first Edition Caroline and Joanne would like to thank the following supporters of the Braintree District Foundation

Angus Crowther

Brooks Newmark

Design and Print Centre Braintree

Foster Contracting Ltd

Gosfield Foundation cic

Ignite Business

Julien Courtauld

Tesco

Watson Associates Accountants

Wren Consultancy cic

We would also thank our anonymous supporters for their donations.

BDF Supporters so far

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How you can get involved

Whether you are an individual, family, organisation, business or public body community giving is easy. The Braintree District Foundation CIC will provide a personal and tailored approach to help you

give locally.

Corporate Community Giving. Many organisations want to help to make a difference locally but simply do not have the time or the resource to do so. We will take away that administrative burden of giving and you can be confident

that your donations will help to deliver projects within our community.

Individual or Family Community Giving. Many individuals and families believe in just giving something back and want to help people less

fortunate than themselves. People are proud to support their local community.

There will be ongoing communication to donors and the wider community about the schemes and the allocation of grants. The governance and auditing arrangements will be transparent and

comprehensive.

Joanne and Caroline are always happy to talk with you. Please feel free to contact

either of us with your enquiries and feedback.

Please make your cheques payable to: Braintree District Foundation CIC.

Postal address: Easter Cottage, Park Hall Road, Gosfield, Essex, CO9 1SQ.

Make a direct payment to: Barclays Bank Plc Account Number: 60298891 Sort code. 20-19-95 Please quote your full name as the reference for any direct bank payments.

“We thank you for your kind generosity. Together we can make a difference”

Please tick one or both of the below boxes.

I would like to make a one-off donation to the Braintree District Foundation

I would like to make a donation on an annual basis

Name, address, telephone, email:

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Please tick one or both of the below boxes.

I would like to make a one-off donation to the Braintree District Foundation

I would like make a donation on an annual basis

Name, address, telephone, email:

...........................................................................................................................................................

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“We are passionate about the Braintree District

and wish to see people and communities progress and flourish”.

Postal address: Easter Cottage. Park Hall Road, Gosfield, Essex, CO9 1SQ.

Caroline Burrows-Wren: Mobile: 07887 504427 Joanne Beavis: Mobile: 07771 984365

Email: carolineandjo@braintreefoundation.com https://braintreefoundation.com/

Community Interest Companies were introduced by the Government in 2005 to offer a new type of legal status to encourage people who want to establish ventures that benefit their local community rather than being driven by personal profit. Community Interest Companies trade commercially but have clear social objectives that provide benefit to the community: In this case the Braintree District.

Community Interest Companies (CIC) were designed for companies that wish to be ‘Social Enterprises’ for

community good. A CIC is established with special features to ensure it is working for the benefit of the

community. Although the functions of the Braintree District Foundation CIC are similar to that of a charity;

it is a registered CIC. Company Registration Number: 9889242

We hope you have enjoyed reading all about Braintree District Foundation cic.

Look out for the next issue where we look forward to keeping everyone informed on our progress.