With a donation of £15,000 over three years Essex Freemasons through the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) are supporting InterAct. This will help us to continue our work in supporting children, young people and their families living with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by delivering vital social and educational clubs and day trips to offer respite, care and support for these vulnerable people.
InterAct has been operating since 1992, originally in Chelmsford and now in additional venues in Clacton, Colchester, Jaywick and Maldon. Evening club sessions for various age ranges are run five days a week during term time for vulnerable children and young adults from 8 to 25 years of age. These clubs enable participants to build friendships, participate in activities and develop life skills to help them as they grow older.
It takes around £300,000 per year to offer these services and funding comes from a number of sources including Essex County Council through our partnership with Disability 4 Sport, Happy Hill, Independence Project, Mistley Kids Club, Sentra, foundations and individual donations. There are also trips out to venues, zoos, the beach and other sites. Parents make a small contribution to the trips if they can.
John Blair, CEO of InterAct, commented that:
“The generous donation from Essex Freemasons through the MCF for the general running of the clubs is a big shot in the arm of us. It will help the 8 permanent staff, youth workers and our volunteers continue their important and needed work. Support of young adults with SEND in particular is really needed.”
Chris Hicks, Provincial Charity Steward, said “Our support of InterAct is another example of the community engagement of Essex Freemasons. This is one of the 80 plus Charites and good causes that Essex Freemasons have supported in this way in 2024, and it will continue.”
Photo L-R: Mike Barrett, John Blair, Hannah Read, Chris Hicks, Isabella Salthouse with two participants at Colchester.