A FORMER EastEnders star is on the search for a local hero in the Braintree district. National Lottery funding of more than £454,961 has been given to good causes in Braintree in 2019/20, according to the latest figures. A total of 24 National Lottery grants were allocation in this period providing crucial support to arts, sports, heritage and community organisations. One of the projects includes replacing the flooring in Rayne Village Hall. More than £8,000 was awarded to renew the wooden flooring and keep the facility open. A total of £20,000 was also given to Healthwatch Essex based in Earls Colne to create a community support service for those with additional needs during the pandemic.
Jacqueline Jossa helps search for Braintree hero with National Lottery braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BBC News
By Matt Precey & Nikki Fox
BBC Look East
image captionAlan Jennison was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate in 2019
A former teacher said he had had to give up work after waiting a year for an operation.
Alan Jennison from Benfleet in Essex needs a procedure on his prostate at Southend University Hospital, where waiting times have increased.
The 60-year-old said he might have the operation within the next four months but there was no guarantee .
Southend Hospital s trust said it was working hard to care for people as quickly and safely as possible .
Data released shows the number of patients waiting more than 52 weeks for a routine operation at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, which includes Southend University Hospital, was 8,072 in February.
NHS waiting times: Essex teacher gave up work over operation wait bbc.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bbc.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The pandemic has been a very difficult time for many people across Essex, she said. We’ve seen the impact of loss of life and health, loss of jobs and businesses and the loss of so many freedoms that we often take for granted.
“At Healthwatch Essex we’ve remained focussed on understanding the experiences of those most adversely affected and finding ways to support them. In particular, we’ve focussed on the challenges faced by people living with sensory impairment during the pandemic, as well as the mental health impact of such a prolonged period of lockdown. It is clear that isolation impacts upon people in different ways and, yet, we have seen communities rally around to support the most vulnerable in incredible ways.