A HOUSING association is inviting residents who want to make a difference in their community to join a new alliance.

Three new 'community alliances' in Braintree, Witham and Silver End, created by Eastlight Community Homes, are an opportunity for residents to connect again after two years of isolation during the pandemic, according to the housing bosses.

Eastlight says those attending will get to know like-minded people over some locally sourced food and drink, discover inspiring examples of communities in action and then agree how they will make their community an even better place to call home.

The alliances will meet up for the first time over the course of a month.

The first will be in Silver End on Saturday, July 30, at the village hall.

The second will be at Witham on August 6 at Dengie Hall while the third in Braintree will be held on August 13 at Glebe Community Hall.

Each of these meetings will be held from 2pm to 4pm.

The alliances form part of 'All In' - Eastlight’s major new community programme.

It aims to put power in the hands of local people who understand their communities better than anyone.

Eastlight's Lauren Brimson said: “If you want to make a difference in your community but don’t know where to start, then please come along to your local meet-up.

“Eastlight will provide you with venues, some funding and the refreshments.

“You will get to decide what actions you and your community will take."

Eastlight says alliances for Halstead and Colchester have already been successfully launched last month.

After the launches, the alliances will meet quarterly, with the next meetings taking place in late September.

To find out more, visit www.weareallin.co.uk.