General Information

Information on the Community Development Team's works in the District.

The Community Development Team supports networking and partnership building and a large part of our work is delivered in conjunction with local partners including Essex County Council, the health service, Essex Police, Epping Forest College and local schools. Our aim is to ensure access and choice for all groups and individuals within the community that is long term and sustainable.

The Team organises many different community schemes and events to help make Epping Forest a more enjoyable and friendly place to live, e.g. Holiday Playschemes, youth projects and learning in the community.

If you would like to find out more about Community Development or you have a community project idea we would be keen to speak to you, phone 01992 564556 or 01992 564363.

Community Development Events

Job and Volunteering Opportunties

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Holiday Playschemes

Stuck for things to do with the children in the holidays? Fancy some peace and quiet for a day or two? Then Community Development Playschemes are for you!

It's the holidays and Playschemes aim to ensure all the children have fun, learn new skills and make new friends. The Playschemes are for children aged 5 to 11 years and run at various sites across the District, the whole day is jam-packed with art and craft, music, sport, drama, dance and much much more!

Play Leaders are professional and committed to making the children`s time at Playschemes an enjoyable and memorable experience

The Community Development Team have been running playschemes in the Epping Forest District for many years.

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 E-Club

Every Thursday – 6pm-7.30pm
VENUE: Limes Farm Community Cabin, Limes Avenue, Chigwell IG7 5JP
Organised by the Community Development Team, E-Club is for young people aged between 8-13 years.  There are always a wide variety of activities on offer including; arts and crafts, karaoke, table tennis, pool, board games and much more.

The sessions are led by two of the Council’s Play Workers and are supported by local volunteers. There is a nominal charge of £1 per session. 

If you would like further information about E Club, or are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call Chris Burr on 01992 564363, email cburr@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

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The Green Team

environmental activities for 5 to 16 year olds

The aim of Green Team is to conserve and enhance the local countryside. The best and most enjoyable way to do this is through hands on practical conservation work. Practical conservation means getting your hands dirty! Building bridges, cutting down trees, planting trees and pond dipping are just a few of the practical activities you may like to get involved in.

 

 

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Ninefields Residents Panel

 

Community Development staff have been working closely with residents living on the Ninefields Estate in Waltham Abbey since 2008. A group of active residents have been supported to form a constituted group and now meet regularly to address issues of particular interest, or concern, to the community. 

 

The Ninefields Residents Panel represents a united voice for the Ninefields community. Resident Panel meetings are regularly attended by representatives from Waltham Abbey Town Council, Essex Police and the District Council. Annual “walkabouts” are organised by the group in order to raise awareness of, and resolve, estate issues. The group is keen to build on the great Ninefields community spirit and aims to fundraise and organise regular community events such as the recent Story Telling theatre performance in the Ninefields Community Centre.

 

For further information about the Ninefields Residents Panel please call Gemma on 01992 564556.

 

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The Shelley Community

 

A community consultation event was recently organised by Community Development staff at Shelley Primary School in Ongar.  The event was an opportunity for local organisations to promote their services and for nearby clubs and groups to showcase their activities.  A consultation board was set up to enable residents to comment on their hopes and aspirations for the area. Information was gathered in respect of the type of services that local people valued most and the key issues that concerned them.

 

Following the event, Community Development staff have regularly attended Shelley Residents Association meetings and continue to work with the community to act on the feedback received from residents and to help support a range of positive activities. To date these include:

 

·         Work with local partners to support the Shelley Sunday Funday event

·         “Play in the Park” play ranger sessions organised at the St Peters Avenue playground

·         Estate “walkabouts”  

·         Work with key agencies and stakeholders to develop a Shelley Partnership Group

·         On going support for events such as the Shelley Christmas Bazaar.

 

For further information about the Shelley Residents Association please call Gemma on 01992 564556.

 

 

 

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Neighbourhood Learning Funding

 

Working in partnership with the Epping Forest Learning Partnership, the Community Development Team has been successful in securing Neighbourhood Learning Funding.

 

The funding enables the Team to provide a programme of outreach learning sessions and courses across the district, with a particular focus on areas with specific needs or where there may be barriers to learning, i.e. transport issues, financial constraints or childcare needs.  The aim of the programme is to provide individuals with the opportunity to increase their skills and, ultimately, gain sustained employment.

 

Courses include; Introduction to Computers, First Aid, Cookery, Food Safety to name but a few.

 

For further information please give Gemma Jones a call on 01992 564556

 

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Waltham Abbey Older People’s Engagement Network
– Tea and a Talk

The Waltham Abbey Older People’s Engagement Network is a group that meets monthly for a Tea and a Talk.  As well as an opportunity to socialise, recent activities have included workshops on basic first aid in the home, Art and Craft Class and Seated Exercise Class.  Tea and a Talk is a friendly group that welcomes new comers.

For more information please call Gemma on 01992 564556.

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Norway House Stakeholder Partnership

Norway House, North Weald is the Council’s Homeless Persons Hostel which is for families and single people. The hostel comprises around 40 rooms with shared kitchen, bathroom and toilet facilities. A further 10 "chalets" with shared facilities are located in the grounds. The Hostel is supervised by a management team.

The Norway House Stakeholder Partnership Aims to:

Work in partnership with local service providers, volunteers and residents to ultimately improve the quality of life for residents whilst living in Norway House.  This is achieved by:

• Providing play opportunities for the children
• Offering support services for all residents

The Community Development Team manages the ‘Stay & Play’ Parent and Toddler group at Norway House.  The group provides a place for children to run around, have fun and make friends.  Activities include role play, messy play, free play, sing along and story time.  At the end of each session snack time brings families together. Parents see this session as a light relief away from their room and a chance to have a cuppa, play with their children and socialise with other families.

A Stay and Play Leader and 2 volunteers run the sessions.

Stay and Play gained the Good Practice Certificate for Parent and Toddler Groups in 2008.

Stay and Play is always grateful for any toy donations.

The Partnership welcomes new members. For more information please call Jon Hunt on 01992 564490.

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Play in the Park

Play in the Park is all about playing games and having fun outdoors. 
Trained Play Workers travel to a range of sites across the district, taking with them an exciting array of play and sports equipment, games and even art and craft materials. Everyone is encouraged to join in the fun; children, young people, parents and carers are all welcome to come and play.

The sessions are FREE of charge and open to boys and girls aged 5 to 13 years old.
Our motto is:

• Free of charge
• Free to come and go
• Free to play

There is no need to book, just turn up and join in!
Play in the Park runs in the Easter, May and Summer School Holidays. 

For more information please call 01992 564556 or 564363.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We don't do bored! is a club for children aged 11 to 19 years on Wednesdays at Ninefields Community Hall (Abbey Youth Club) from 6:30pm to 8pm. The cost is just £1.50 per session.

Download "We Don't Do Bored!" Flyer (pdf 2.83MB)

This club offers a wide range of activities including:




• Music and art workshops
  
• Sports
  
• Dance
  
• Drama
  
• Outdoor sessions

Everyone is welcome to join in and help plan the activity programme. Any queries please telephone 01992 564556.