Young people in Uttlesford are benefitting from a £20,000 grant awarded to CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse).

The money was awarded by the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit Community Grant Scheme (VVUCGS), which is available annually for groups to develop bespoke support for young people.

The funding has helped to increase counselling and play therapy for more than 50 children and young people who have been victims of sexual abuse.

CARA's young person's team received a boost - resulting in reduced waiting times from eight months in some areas to an average of 3.5 months.

Helen Parr, chief executive officer of CARA, said: "The Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit grant was a major factor in helping young people envision a better life for themselves. 

"Thanks to the VVU grant, we were able to provide more counselling to victims of sexual violence and to help support children and their families to process and understand what has happened.

"We see dramatic differences in the young people, they become more confident, report feeling more able to take back power and control and let go of feelings of shame and self-blame – recognising that what happened to them wasn’t their fault."

CARA was one of 17 community groups who in 2023/2024 supported more than 7,000 young people across Essex with a wide range of interactive projects, with 82 per cent of participants saying the project has benefitted their mental health.

Roger Hirst, chair of the Violence and Vulnerability Partnership and Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, thanked CARA for supporting young people.

He said: "We must never underestimate the fantastic work being delivered by local organisations in communities right across the county.

"The projects, embedded in their local area, understand the needs of the young people they are working with, and can provide the support needed to address risk factors such as violence, lack of engagement in education, isolation and poor mental health.

"So many young people have been helped thanks to the 23/24 VVUCGS."

Applications have now closed for the 2025/2026 grants, which will go towards helping more young people across Essex.