ESSEX County Council is inviting people to apply to the Culture in Essex Small Grants Scheme for funding to deliver arts and heritage projects which engage with communities across the county.

Organisations have until Friday, October 31.

The Culture in Essex Small Grants Schemes are funded and run by Essex County Council, offering one-off project support to arts and culture projects within Essex up to £2,500.

County Councillor Roger Hirst, Cabinet Member for Libraries, Communities and Planning, said: "Our culture grants have made so many positive outcomes possible over the years: for practioners, for the people their projects reach, and, by attracting visitors, for the Essex economy.

"I would encourage artists and heritage organisations to consider applying so that their inspirational ideas can become reality."

Dan Burman, of Essex-based drama company DMB Arts, was awarded £2,460 of funding in February 2014 to work with patients suffering from mental health, holding weekly drama workshops in Rayleigh where participants benefited from visits from industry professionals.

Dan said: "Being supported by Essex County Council’s Culture in Essex small grants scheme enabled us to run a 12-week drama workshop with the aim of introducing the arts as a potential career - working with adults who are at risk of developing or are experiencing mental ill health.

"It allowed participants to explore the possibility of the arts as a career when many employers look negatively upon anyone with a history of mental ill health.

"The course was a great success and wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the Culture in Essex Small Grants. The participants have now taken the idea and really run with it, forming their own charitable organisation and seeking funding to continue their work.

"We are extremely fortunate to have such a forward thinking Council that can not only see the potential the arts have for enhancing quality of life but also put their money behind it."

The Culture in Essex Small Grants Schemes are funded and run by Essex County Council, offering one-off project support to arts and culture projects within Essex.

Application forms and notes on how to apply for the Culture in Essex small grants are available at: https://www.essex.gov.uk/Activities/Arts%20Services/Pages/Arts-Funding.aspx.