Epping Forest District 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.

First Stop is a charity helping those who are in need in the Braintree area and surrounding communities.

The aim is to help those who have/or are disadvantaged by: a history of poor mental health, carers, ex-offenders, homelessness, learning needs, senior citizens, single parents, socially isolated, substance misuse, those unemployed (whether on benefits or not) or anyone in hardship needing help.

The help they can get is by accessing:

• Affordable Counselling, 1:1 appointments
• Our Community Fridge (accessing good nutritional food and helping prevent food waste)
• CV Construction
• Education classes: Confidence courses (a choice of 4), Learn my Way (IT), Digital Confidence- using tablets and other devices (including internet safety), arts & crafts and basic skills, including budgeting and maths- all in a professional but informal way
• Accessing impartial Information, Advice & Guidance- to a range of services
• Safe c/o address 

And any other help that may be needed. Our expertise is that as a long established organisation, we can refer on to a range of services to meet an individual's needs.  

SUMMIT's mission is to improve people's live by empowering them to take back control, restore their self-belief, self-reliance, and self-worth.

We manage, provide and facilitate a range of services and work in partnership with other organisations, serving the learning-disabled community and adults with mental illness.

We have been serving the disabled community since 1976, providing a voice for the marginalised.

We are an Essex wide service: covering Tendring, Braintree, Maldon, Colchester, Chelmsford, Epping, Harlow and Uttlesford.

The AB4D PROJECT

Email: ab4d@summitservices.org.uk

AB4D (Ability B4 Disability) is an Essex wide service delivered by SUMMIT and BATIAS in partnership with Essex County Council (ECC) for people with Learning Disabilities or Autism.

The aim of the service is to provide a flexible platform where people can be empowered to have a voice in their local community, discuss issues that are important to them and work together to find solutions.

AB4D works with anyone with a lived experience of learning disability or autism to gather their views, to collaborate and influence positive change.

Voluntary Action Epping Forest (VAEF), operational since 1993 is an independent Charity, our mission is to work with the people of Epping Forest District to empower, support and develop voluntary and community activity.

As an umbrella organisation we develop new initiatives to meet community needs and promote cooperation between the voluntary and statutory sectors.

We offer a range of practical support, including advice on funding, help with running a voluntary organisation and provide a comprehensive Volunteer Service to help local people access volunteering opportunities.

We also run a diverse range of community projects for isolated residents in Epping Forest, these include:

Benefits Advice
Befriending
Community Response Hub
Handyman for homeowners
Volunteer Centre
Digital Learning Sessions
Ace Activities supported day activity sessions for people with learning disabilities.