Chelmsford Partners

BOSP supports children and young adults with complex disabilities or life-limiting conditions, and their families, by providing high-quality, fun, educational activities, respite, peer support and counselling.

City of Chelmsford Mencap is a local, independent charity supporting people with a learning disability throughout mid-Essex.

The Charity provides a lifelong learning service, The Outreach Academy (open five days a week fifty weeks a year), social clubs, specialist services, and information and support for members and their families and carers.

Enhanced community engagement: Foster active participation and collaboration among community members through regular town hall meetings, workshops, and volunteer programs. Ensure diverse representation and inclusive participation in decision-making processes.

Strengthened local partnerships: Establish and maintain strong partnerships with local non-profits, businesses, and government agencies to leverage resources and expertise. Collaborate on joint initiatives that address common community goals.

Improved access to essential services: Ensure all community members have access to healthcare, education, housing, and other essential services. Address the needs of marginalised and underrepresented groups through inclusive policies and programs.

Greater resource sharing: Create resource platforms that provide access to information, tools, and support services. Implement skill exchange programs to enhance collective knowledge and capabilities.

Collaborative innovation: Promote collaboration with startups, research institutions, and industry leaders to co-create innovative solutions. Participate in innovation hubs and accelerators to stay connected with the latest trends and ideas.

Agile and adaptive strategies that deliver: Create flexible business strategies that can quickly adapt to changing market conditions and community needs. Encourage a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation.

The Daily Bread Café is open 3 days a week, Tues, Wed & Fri with various inclusive clubs and activities for all to enjoy. Thursday is our Little Fishes Group which is for parents and carers of pre-school age children.

The café aims to help reduce social isolation, improve mental well-being, and give meaningful activities to our visitors, we also have a pay it forward board.

The Daily Bread Food Hub provide free bags of shopping which can include fruit, vegetables, fresh and frozen food and also store cupboard essentials. Our team of volunteers collect from over 200 supermarkets each week. This prevents tonnes of food waste from going into landfill. The Food Hub is open 5 mornings a week.

Food Hub Open: Tues to Fri 10-12 & Sat 9.30-11.30 .

We are a community organisation that supports people by raising awareness of spiritual care in Mental Health recovery.

An important part of this work includes promoting respect for people’s beliefs and practices from faith traditions other than their own. This includes those beliefs of people who claim no religious affiliation.

Is an independent charity offering free and confidential support to people affected by crime.

To access support, you are welcome to self refer.

You do not need to have reported the crime tp the police and it doesn't matter when the crime took place.

We provide free and confidential services to support people who are currently experiencing, or have previously experienced domestic abuse.

We are passionate about ensuring that every person has the opportunity to live their life free from domestic abuse.

Our staff and volunteers are trained to provide support at the highest possible standard, informed by the trauma the individual has experienced and led by their needs.  We provide immediate support and advice to promote safety and reduction in risk of harm and longer term support to promote emotional recovery and practical support wherever it is needed to enable planning for a safer future.

Community Support
We support people who are experiencing domestic abuse and don't feel able to or need to leave their home.  We are able to work with individuals in a community setting and can provide access to the same emotional and practical advice and support to promote safety and recovery for a safe and happy future.  We currently are able to offer services to individuals living in the local authority areas of Colchester, Tendring, Braintree, Chelmsford, Maldon and Uttlesford.

Refuge Accommodation
Our purpose-built accommodation provides a temporary home for up to 12 women and children who have reached crisis point. The flatlets are modern and well equipped.  Each new resident receives a practical “starter pack” when she arrives.  A key worker will support her and her family right from the beginning of their journey. When she leaves, we support her to begin her life’s next chapter.

Domestic abuse is rarely a single issue and many residents arrive needing specialist support to deal with substance misuse (drugs and alcohol). In our residential house, with nine flatlets, we provide professional, specialist support focused on the identified needs of women who are battling with this type of addiction to help them with their recovery journey.

Children & Young Persons Service
Children and young people are affected by domestic abuse too.  Our Children’s and Young People’s Team include Pre-school Practitioners, Creative Therapist and Children’s Support Workers.  We can provide a range of services including emotional support for children and young people, parenting support, family work, pre-school education, school holiday activities.  We also undertake some work in the community in partnership with local schools and other agencies.

Raising awareness of domestic abuse is a very important part of our work. In primary and secondary schools as well as in higher education, we talk to young people about healthy relationships and how to recognise the signs of abuse.

Autism Navigation Service

SUMMIT provides a bespoke Autism Navigation Service for adults without a Learning Disability that are in the process of seeking a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder across Essex and adults who have received an Autism diagnosis within the last 12 months. We can help you through the diagnostic process from the beginning and beyond.

We are independent and we work solely on the behalf of people that use our service, ensuring there is no conflict of interest with funders and other service providers.

We support you if you have been referred for an assessment of Autism, helping you to engage in the process and making sure your voice is heard.

Whilst you are waiting for a diagnosis, we can work in partnership with you to help resolve any problems you may be experiencing now, in your day-to-day life.

We also support you if you've recently been diagnosed and are experiencing barriers accessing the services you need to lead a better life.

We also provide information advice and guidance to families.

Our Autism Navigation Service is only available for adults who are 18 years and over.

How to refer

Call: 01255 429778

Email: info@summitservices.org.uk

AB4D Collaborate Essex

Ability B4 Disability

Do you want to share your voice?

AB4D (Ability B4 Disability) is an Essex wide service delivered by SUMMIT in partnership with Essex County Council (ECC).

The aim of the service is to provide a flexible platform where you feel empowered to have a voice in your local community. We discuss issues that are important to you and work together to find solutions.

AB4D is for adults with an experience of disability, their families and carers.

Your views are passed to Healthwatch Essex; Collaborate Essex Disability and Carers Forum. The forum is made up of people with an experience of disability, councillors and staff from Essex County Council.

Your views help to shape local services in Essex.

How to refer

To find out what's going on in your area, you can contact us via email : info@summitservices.org.uk, or call us on 01255 429778

The Guiding Light Mental Health Charity is dedicated to illuminating the often unseen struggles of those battling mental health challenges. Founded by Ben Holmes, a recovery advocate and neurodiversity champion, the charity aims to offer hope, connection, and fulfilment to individuals facing mental health issues. Through raising awareness, building genuine connections, and providing support, The Guiding Light strives to break down stigma and empower individuals to rediscover meaning and joy.

In addition to its core mission, the charity has recently launched a new support group, expanding its reach and resources to better assist those in need. By fostering a compassionate community, The Guiding Light ensures that no one has to face their mental health journey alone.

The charity is also actively campaigning for improved mental health support and accessibility. They have initiated a petition calling upon Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Rt Hon Wes Streeting to take immediate action to address the mental health crisis by implementing stronger policies, increasing funding, and ensuring accessibility to mental health services for all. Every signature amplifies the call for meaningful policy changes, sending a clear message that mental health can no longer be overlooked.

For more information or to get involved, please visit guidinglightcharity.org.uk.