AS Essex Freemasons prepare to mark 250 years of charitable service in 2026, they have announced a bold and compassionate initiative: a pledge of £425,000 to five handpicked charities through a county-wide programme called Essex 250.
Spearheaded by the Provincial Grand Master, Paul Tarrant, this landmark initiative reflects Freemasonry’s enduring values of compassion, service, and community. Among the five charities selected, one stands out for its deeply personal, hands-on approach — Friends of Essex and London Homeless (FOELH), a volunteer-led organisation based in Grays that is transforming lives on the streets of Essex and London.
FOELH operates multiple outreach sessions each week, providing hot meals, warm clothing, sleeping bags, hygiene products, and emotional support to individuals experiencing homelessness. Their volunteers, many of whom have lived experience themselves, build trusted relationships with rough sleepers, offering not only immediate relief but also signposting to essential services such as housing advice, mental health support, and addiction recovery.
Selected as a key beneficiary under a £100,000 homelessness support package within Essex 250, FOELH has already received a brand-new outreach van from Essex Freemasons, fully insured and maintained for two years. In addition, funding has provided thermal food bags to keep meals warm during distribution, along with comprehensive volunteer training in food hygiene, mental health first aid, safeguarding, GDPR, and fire safety — all of which will help build capacity as the charity continues to expand its services.
Recently, members of the Essex Provincial Charity Team joined FOELH on an evening outreach session, helping prepare and distribute meals, and gaining a deeper understanding of the real-world impact of their work.
FOELH responded with a heartfelt message:
“The donation of our brand-new van has been a gift beyond our wildest dreams. Being selected as one of the five charities for the Essex Freemasons 250-year anniversary celebrations is an incredible honour. Your support has renewed our strength, morale, and hope for the future.
Much love — Team FOELH”
FOELH is one of five charitable partners within the Essex 250 initiative. The others include:
- Headway in Colchester, expanding its brain injury rehabilitation services
- Essex First Responders in Chelmsford, receiving new emergency vehicles
- Essex Wildlife Trust, developing a rewilding and education site at Abbotts Hall Farm
- Teddies for Loving Care (TLC), who will receive £25,000 in celebration of their own 25th anniversary in 2026
The Essex 250 programme is being led by the Provincial Charity Team, who are working closely with all five partners to create long-term, sustainable impact. With just over a year to go before the anniversary, Essex Freemasons are showing that a legacy is not simply something to commemorate, it’s something to build, through meaningful action and service to others.
