TWO south Essex charities have received a £38,000 boost to help their work.

Craylands Activity Centre in Basildon received £25,756 from the health lottery, while Southend’s Trust Links got £12,456.

The money came via a programme set up to invest in local people and groups who have great ideas to make their communities even better.

Trust Links works to help people to work together to improve mental health and wellbeing and promote sustainable living.

The group will spend its grant on a 24-month community garden project in Elm Road, involving 65 residents of Eagle Way, Shoebury.

Trust Links chief executive Matt King said: “The money will make a big difference to us, as we don’t run on a huge budget.

“We want to engage more with the community and hear what we can do for it, whether it is people meeting up for a book club in our garden, or having dog shows.

“Shoebury doesn’t have too many community facilities and activities, so we want people to be able to meet each other.

“It’s always nice to know your neighbours and feel safer in where you live.”

Craylands Activity Centre will put its grant towards continuing its work to organise activities for children and young people.

John Hume, chief executive of the People’s Health Trust, which passed on the grants, said: “We are delighted to be investing in these local organisations with great ideas to make their communities even better places to grow, live, work and age.”