FOR THE 2020/21 SEASON AT LEAST, THE TRUST ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE WILL BE WORKING WITH OUR FRIENDS AT EXETER COMMUNITY INITIATIVES.
ECI was first founded in 1991 as the Palace Gate Project, and has gone on to create 25 new community projects, including 10 that are now operating as independent charities or community initiatives.
This dynamic charity works in Exeter and across Devon to help people facing poverty, inequality and homelessness get their lives back on track. This is achieved by involving people in community projects to improve their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, increase their sense of belonging and provide skills to help them succeed in life.
ECI have three key areas of work:
Vulnerable Adults – Offering support for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage, ECI are currently seeking funding to restart Bike Bank where unemployed and vulnerable people can develop practical skills in a workshop environment. The Ripple Effect project works with people in recovery engage in meaningful and creative activities, while Transitions provides one-to-one coaching and mentoring for people experiencing mental or physical health issues or other challenges that affect their wellbeing.
People & Communities – ECI has a team of Community Builders working across all thirteen wards in Exeter. The Community Builders work with local residents and community groups at a neighbourhood level building confident and more connected communities. They also run the Exeter Connect service that provides free, independent support to existing and new community organisations across the city to help them develop and become more self-sustaining.
Children and Families – The charity provide one-to-one and group support for families through the Devon Family Resource project. This service works with Early Help, Victim Care and local GP surgeries. ECI also provide support for parents using the Devon Children’s Centres through our Parent Progression project helping them access opportunities to improve their employability. They have also established the Jelly charity shop that offers affordable children’s clothes, books and toys and provides volunteering opportunities for local people.
Like our friends and colleagues at the City Community Trust, ECI has been at the heart of the community response to the Covid-19 outbreak, supporting isolated and at-risk members of our community with their daily and essential needs.
Throughout the season we will be looking to promote and engage with a range of ECI activities at St James Park and within the community, so do keep a look out for more information about all of that in the coming months.
In the meantime, you can find out more about Transitions, Devon Family Resource, Parent Progression, Jelly and Community Builders by visiting their ‘Our Projects’ page on the ECI website: https://www.eci.org.uk/.
