Rochford District

Following the transfer of Rochford Housing Association to Sanctuary Housing in November 2016, we set up the Sanctuary in Rochford Committee to replace the board of management.

The committee meets six times per year and is responsible for monitoring local operational performance and compliance with the Rochford Charter, which sets out our commitments to local customers. It consists of ten members, five of whom are Sanctuary Housing tenants or leaseholders, three are nominated by Rochford District Council and two are independent. The position is voluntary with reasonable expenses paid and training provided.

If you would like to find out how you can get involved, please contact Chris Silvey, Resident Involvement Officer on 01702 533461 or email getinvolved@sanctuary-housing.co.uk.

We’ve donated £13,000 to local charities over the last 12 months and secured £9,500 from Sport England to complement it.

Bar’N’Bus, Achievement Through Football and the Essex Youth Service have been among the beneficiaries so they can provide important activities and services for young people.

Wyvern Community Transport (WCT), a charity we’ve supported for a number of years, received £6,000 to install screens and remove seats in its minibuses so social distancing can take place when its vital transport service resumes.

Although WCT has not been able to provide its usual service, volunteers have instead helped to deliver more than 400 food parcels to Rochford residents during the pandemic.

“What Wyvern have been doing for months is the kindest, most helpful, supportive and loving thing. I don’t know if they all realise how much it has meant to so many of us.”

- Resident

Our Rochford Committee is seeking new members. The Committee is made up of Rochford District Council members and local Sanctuary residents, including our chairperson, Patricia O’Shea.

By meeting regularly to scrutinise and shape our services, the Committee helps Sanctuary to provide an even better service and, in turn, to better meet your needs.  

If you’d like to influence how we run our services in the district, our team would love to hear from you. Register your interest in joining the Committee.

Maureen's Gift gives community groups across Rochford the opportunity to benefit from a share of £5,000.

The £5,000 fund is in memory of local community champion Maureen Vince who passed away in 2010. Maureen was a parish councillor for 16 years, a former chair of the Rochford Housing board and was heavily involved in many community groups and charities district wide. 

Maureen’s Gift is a resident-led initiative offering support and encouragement for local people to assist their communities in making life a richer experience.

To apply, please complete the Maureen's Gift application form (PDF 670KB).

For further information:

• Email: getinvolved@sanctuary-housing.co.uk

The Rochford District Community Response Hub continues to support vulnerable residents throughout the pandemic, providing a vital helpline for those in need.

The helpline is available by phoning 01268 779999. It offers support to those who do not have friends, family or other support networks nearby. If you would like to volunteer to help at the Hub, please email Rochford District Council. 

We also work with local organisations who can provide support with health and wellbeing, managing money and food banks. You can find them on our new interactive map by simply typing in your postcode.