Maldon 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.  

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