Community Champions grant for Witham Hub in Essex
03 February 2026
The Essex region has donated £2,000 to an invaluable community group that has been supporting families in Witham since 2017.
Witham Community Hub was awarded the sum from the latest round of Community Champions grants and will use the money to bring the dementia awareness bus back to Witham, giving members of the public, carers and families the chance to better understand what someone living with dementia experiences.
The Hub has been at the heart of the town for many years, initially set up to feed those who were struggling with rising food costs. Today it offers a friendly, welcoming environment at its town centre base where people can enjoy a hot drink and social interaction. They run a pay-what-you-can shop selling food rescued from supermarkets around Witham.
Luke Atkinson, Technical Director for Persimmon Homes Essex, visited the Hub this week to meet the team and hand over the donation.
He said: “The Witham hub really is at the heart of the community here in Witham and they work to tackle everything from food poverty to loneliness.
“On behalf of Persimmon, we want to thank them for the work they do. It is an honour to share this donation, knowing it will fund an event that will help so many.”
Tina Townsend, Founder, said: “Thank you to Persimmon Homes Essex for this funding. Everything we do here costs money and we could not continue without donations like this from local businesses and donations from residents.”
Cllr Paul Heath, Braintree District Council members for Witham South Ward and Witham Town Mayor, has been a long-time supporter of the Hub and said: “Witham is recognised as a Dementia Friendly town and that is something close to my heart. The work Tina and the team are doing to give those living with dementia somewhere to go and socialise, and to educate others, had played a large part in us gaining that recognition.
“Thank you to Persimmon for helping the Hub to further this work in our town.”
You can find out more and apply for a donation in the latest round of funding here
