James Cleverly MP backs All In community teams after visit
Braintree MP James Cleverly MP has voiced his support for two pioneering community projects created through housing association Eastlight Community Homes’ trailblazing community empowerment programme, All In.
The Foreign Secretary met the All In teams for Braintree and Halstead during a visit to Eastlight House in Braintree on Friday, 24 March.
The teams of local residents introduced Mr Cleverly to the pilot schemes they have launched after spending 10 months creating a community-led solution to a major social issue.
The Braintree team introduced Kinder Minds, which they created after local residents told them there were very few activities available for people on low incomes to manage their mental wellbeing in the town.
The team told Mr Cleverly about their pilot scheme, which has seen local residents enjoy free or low-cost community activities including yoga, arts and crafts and mocktail making.
Then the Halstead team unveiled Grow with the Flow, their pilot to tackle the issues many young women face when they experience periods.
They explained how, through a series of workshops at Hedingham School and Ramsey Academy, they are creating a network of ‘Flow Sisters’ - young women with the knowledge and skills to support younger peers around their periods.
Mr Cleverly said: “I was hugely impressed with everything these two teams of local residents have done to get these community projects off the ground.
“I can see how they could make a real difference to people’s lives in my constituency for years to come, and they have my full support.”
James Green, Eastlight’s Community Empowerment Director, said: “Thank you to Mr Cleverly for coming to meet our brilliant All In teams at Eastlight House.
“Like him, we believe Kinder Minds and Grow with the Flow have the potential to improve lives in Braintree, Halstead and beyond, and his support is hugely appreciated.”
Learn more about Eastlight’s trailblazing community initiative, All In, by visiting www.weareallin.co.uk
