Our Social Impact Plan

As a Community Interest Company, we aim to achieve considerable social impact in the communities we serve. To help us to do this we have developed our first Social Impact Plan. The Plan is split into the following four elements:

Element 1

Development and application of an ACE-owned and funded Social Impact Fund (SIF).

Element 2

Personal and corporate volunteering.

Element 3

Career opportunities for both new entrants and those returning to employment.

Element 4

Doing business with local firms so we maximise sustainability of the local economy.

As part of our Social Impact Plan, ACE identified a percentage of financial surplus from 2010/11 to reinvest back into the community. As a result in early 2012, a total of £29,000 was awarded to the following local projects:

Colchester SOS Bus (Awarded £2,600)
To buy the water that is issued to the public late at night to alleviate their symptoms; prevent dehydration, and help to restore their equilibrium.
Paediatric Rehabilitation (Awarded £5,000)
Supply of up-to-date toys and specialist therapy equipment items to be used within three main clinic settings and also to be used for short-term loan to the families.
Catalyst Charity (Awarded £1,792)
Part funding of a Chunc Spica Wheelchair offering a post-operative mobility solution for children and young people in our community in hip spica casts and other requirements such as radial leg extension braces.
Looked After Children Team (Awarded £5,000)
A pilot project of 3 modules a year for care leavers age 16-19, to enable them to develop skills which would enhance their life and wellbeing e.g. healthy eating, cooking skills, cooking on a budget, first aid and self-defence.
CTC Charitable Trust – Pedal Power (Awarded £14,400)
Funding to deliver a series of regular cycle rides with a special twist in three locations: · Colchester Garrison Greenstead Clacton/Jaywick The rides are very carefully tailored for less active people, incorporating a large degree of ride support, encouragement and progression and a large element of social mixing and enjoyment. The project will train up new volunteers to ride leader level. This will give the activities sustainability into the future.