Buddy Up - West Essex Adult Inclusion Project

The Buddy Up project supports adults 18+ with neurodivergence, learning disabilities, autism or both across West Essex (Epping, Harlow and Uttlesford) into accessing community activities and making connections.

Project Overview:

This project targets adults aged 18+ who have a learning disability and/or autism residing in or attending a General Practitioners Clinic in West Essex. The project aims to pair a buddy with a service user to support them in attending activities in society that they otherwise would have avoided; we work with you to tackle social isolation and empower the service users in community and service engagement and form social groups and communities of their own.

 Inclusion Criteria: 

• Learning Disabilities and/or Autism- doesn’t need to be diagnosed
• West Essex (Harlow/Uttlesford/Epping)
• Activities in London and surrounding areas
•  Adults 18+

If you know someone or are someone living locally and/or attending a GP clinic in West Essex who would like to hear more about this project, then we’d love to hear from you!

To query about getting involved whether as a service user or volunteer buddy, please email:

buddyup@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

For an informal chat reach out to:

Senior Disability Inclusion Officer/ Fatheha Rahnama @ frahnama@eppingforestdc.gov.uk 01992 5634 397/ 07860 922713

Children's Play in the Park-Summer 2026

FREE
Monday 20 July – Friday 28 August

Open to all ages

Play in the Park is an inclusive session and all about playing games and having fun outdoors. No need to book, just drop in at any time. This is a great opportunity for parents and carers to socialize with other families and even bring a picnic whilst the children safely play. The Play in the Park team will bring a range of sports equipment and arts & crafts resources for children and their parents/carers to enjoy together*.

All totally free of charge.

For a full list of all the sessions and their locations please click here

*Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Countrycare Teddy Bears Picnic

Wednesday 19 August 2026 12:00-14:00 at Linder’s Field Local Nature Reserve, Roebuck Lane, Buckhurst Hill

Ages 3-6 years   £2.50 Children   Adults/Under 3's Free

* Please just book on your child/children, no need to include Adults/Under 3's as participants *

Come and join Countrycare and our teddy bears for some fun outdoor activities. Bring along a picnic and a teddy to enjoy while you join in with our bug hunting, crafts, nature trails and more.

All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

For more information call Countrycare 01992 564224

For booking support call: 01992 564226

FREE EVENT- Mindful Art Space

Weekly sessions Fridays 12:30 - 15:30 **TERM TIME ONLY**

Drop-in for residents of Oakwood Hill & surrounding area at Oakwood Hill Community Hall, Longcroft Rise, Loughton IG10 3NB

A drop-in space to creatively express your mental health led by RMN Janet Ellington.  An opportunity to be playful with art in a mindful, safe space in a small group setting and to have direct access to mental health advice.

You can drop in and out any time within the specified hours.

There is no requirement to book but if you have any questions, please contact Oakwood Hill Community Engagement Officer, Claire Evans on: 07763 218593.

Please click here for flyer

* Our picture is the artwork of Janice Birks who attended previous sessions with Janet and now has her own art
   exhibition

FREE Walking Football - Waltham Abbey

Every Tuesday 10.30am - 12.30pm - Town Mead Football Pitches, Brooker Road, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1JH. Ages 45+

A slower-paced version of the beautiful game, Walking Football is aimed at getting players back into the sport.

For further information call: 01992 564222 or Email kmurray@eppingforestdc.gov.uk who will put you in contact with the group

Please click here for flyer 

Get Help and Support with your Digital Skills

Visit our drop-in centres in the Epping district for help, support and advice from friendly and experienced staff to help you improve your digital skills.

Get support with: NHS App, Banking, Social Media, Health Appointments and much more!

Drop-in service is free of charge, no appointment or booking needed

Held at the following locations:

• Monday 10am-midday – Waltham Abbey Library, Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1EL
• Wednesday 10am-midday – Loughton Job Centre, 284 High Road, Loughton, IG10 1RH (by appointment only)
• Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm – Epping Civic Hub, 323 Epping High St, Epping CM16 4BZ
• Friday 10am-midday – st Mary’s church, Loughton, 201 High Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 1BB

Contact us to find out more: Email communityhub@vaef.org.uk or Call 07967 726 851

West Essex Inclusion Project - CanalAbility Summer Activity

CanalAbility, Lockview, Burnt Mill Lane, Harlow, CM20 2QS

Friday 7th August August 10.45am-3.00pm
Thursday 27th August 10.45am-3.00pm

£20 per person

Please note booking will close in advance.

For support with online bookings, or to book over the phone, please call our Customer Team on 01992 564 226

This activity is for children & young people aged 5-14 with SEND registered with Essex Short Breaks and the West Essex Inclusion Project.

Enjoy a day on the River Stort with our friends at CanalAbility to enjoy the view, exploring the river and learning about our local area! For those that want to, there will be opportunities to take a turn at steering their boat, and helping to work the locks.  We will also have a host of Easter themed activities and games to keep us occupied too!

Each boat has a ramps & lifts to enable access via wheelchair and for people with impaired mobility, disabled toilet facilities and other adaptive technology to allow everyone to take an active part in its operation.

Please bring a packed lunches, snacks and a drink, as we will be enjoying lunch together on the river!  There is a microwave available.  Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice and water is provided. Strictly no nuts please.

Places are limited so we encourage children and young people to attend without an adult where possible.  There will be 2 members of WEIP staff on board to support our young voyagers.  However, where a 1-2-1 is required, or it would cause a child distress to be separated from their parent/carer we will accept adult bookings.  Unfortunately, on this occasion adults will need to pay for their place.

Contact Lexi Doherty: adoherty@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or 07548 145 591 to discuss any queries.  We will do our best to accommodate you if we can.

Reasonable adjustments can be made to support any additional needs, please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Families new to the project must register with Essex Short Breaks and West Essex Inclusion Project before booking. A valid Short Breaks code must be entered at the time of booking to secure your child’s place on an activity.

Unfortunately, if a code is not provided during the booking process, we will be unable to confirm the place and your child may be refused participation in the activity.

West Essex Inclusion Project - Monthly Saturday SEN Family Swim & Play at Ongar Leisure Centre

First Saturday of the month: 12:00-13.00  at Ongar Leisure Centre, The Gables, Fyfield Rd, Chipping Ongar, Ongar CM5 0GA

First session: 3rd January 2026

Cost: £6 per child. A responsible adult (parent/carer) must be in the pool with children 8 years old and under. This activity is for children up to the age of 14 on The West Essex Inclusion Project. Please confirm you will be staying with your child on the form. 

We have adjusted our inflatables sessions, responding to feedback from families who could not access the session due to children being unable to swim. These sessions are an opportunity to play in the pool and practice swimming as a family so it is advised to join in on the fun! 

Parents / Carers / Responsible adults do not need to book. 

Over the next few months, these sessions have the opportunity to develop into lessons.

Call our customer support team on 01992 564 226 to make a telephone booking or for further assistance with online bookings.

This activity is for children & young people age 0-14, and their families, who are neurodiverse, have a specific learning difficulty, sensory disorder, physical impairment or medical condition.  Families new to the project must register with Essex Short Breaks and West Essex Inclusion Project. 

This Saturday monthly SEN family Swim is open to parents/carers, siblings or friends of any child that is registered with our project and Essex Short Breaks.

 If you have any questions, would like to join The West Essex Inclusion Project, or need to speak with someone regarding your child’s complex needs or specialist healthcare contact Disability Inclusion Officer, Emily Stevens:

estevens@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or on 07596 890 819 

Please be aware that this activity is in partnership with Ongar Leisure Centre, and for safety purposes your Emergency Contact details (Participant Name, Participants additional needs, Guardians Name, Guardians Telephone Number, child's Date of birth, Unique Passport number and Emergency contact details) will be passed to Ongar Leisure Centre and will only be used for the purposes of registration on to the session and contact in case of an emergency.

For booking support or further information call: 01992 564226

For more information and to register your child with The West Essex Inclusion Project, please contact our Disability and Inclusion Officer, Emily Stevens: estevens@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or on 07596 890 819

West Essex Inclusion Project - Summer BikeAbility Harlow

Summer BikeAbility Harlow

Stewards Academy, Harlow
Monday 24th August | 3:00pm – 4:30pm

Join us for an exciting BikeAbility session designed to help children and young people build confidence and develop cycling skills in a safe, supportive environment.

Whether your child is new to cycling or looking to improve their abilities, this session offers a fun and inclusive opportunity to learn, practice, and enjoy being active.

This activity is suitable for children and young people up to the age of 14 with SEND who are registered with the West Essex Inclusion Project.

Additional Information

• Bring water and any required snacks.
• Reasonable adjustments can be made to support additional needs please get in touch to discuss requirements.

Booking & Contact Information

• For booking support, call: 01992 564 226
• Contact Lexi Doherty:
  adoherty@eppingforestdc.gov.uk | 07548 145 591

Important Booking Requirement

Families new to the project must register with Essex Short Breaks and the West Essex Inclusion Project before booking.

A valid Short Breaks code must be entered at the time of booking to secure your child’s place. Unfortunately, without a valid code, bookings cannot be confirmed and participation may be refused.

West Essex Inclusion Project - Summer Multi Activity Day - Dance

West Essex Inclusion Project - Summer Nature Explorers with Countrycare

West Essex Inclusion Project Summer Nature Explorers with Countrycare
Bobbingworth Nature Reserve, Moreton, Ongar CM5 0LN

 Monday 27th July
 Monday 10th August
 11:00am – 1:00pm

We are so excited that our friends at Countrycare would love to welcome us to Bobbingworth Nature Reserve to explore this fantastic natural space together!
Countrycare are part of Epping Forest District Council and specialise in helping people connect with nature through outdoor activities, conservation, and environmental education.
They will be showing us the amazing wildlife at the reserve, including its many habitats and the important role they play in supporting local wildlife.

What to Expect
Children will take part in a range of nature-based activities, including:

Insect hunting, Identifying plants and wildlife, Exploring habitats and the natural environment
Sensory and messy play, mud painting, nature water play, sensory listening walks, creative nature crafts. 

We’ll be looking out for orchids, butterflies, birds, mammals, reptiles and many other fascinating organisms that call the reserve home.  

Important Information
This session is for children and young people up to the age of 14 with SEND, who are part of the West Essex Inclusion Project.
This is a stay and play session. We would love for parents, guardians and carers to enjoy this activity with their children!

We are hoping (weather permitting!) to enjoy a relaxed picnic together afterwards, so please feel free to bring along food, please note this is a nut-free activity.
 Cost: £2 per child (no need to book adults/guardians/carers!)

Location Details
 Meeting Point: Car park on Moreton Bridge Road (furthest from Moreton village)
 Postcode: CM5 0LN
 what3words: yards.react.foods

Booking & Contact Information

For booking support, call: 01992 564 226

For further information, or to speak about your child's needs please contact Disability Inclusion Officer, Emily Stevens: estevens@eppingforestdc.gov.uk

Important Booking Requirement
Families new to the project must register with Essex Short Breaks and the West Essex Inclusion Project before booking.
A valid Short Breaks code must be entered at the time of booking to secure your child’s place. Unfortunately, without a valid code, bookings cannot be confirmed and participation may be refused.

West Essex Inclusion Project - Sunday SEN family Swim Epping Sports Centre

Sunday SEN family Swim at Epping Sports Centre - Bakers Lane, Epping CM16 5BD

Sundays, Weekly - entering the training pool from (advised to arrive and change 09.15am) 09.30am - 10.30am (must be out of the training pool by 10.30am)

First session: 18th January 2026

Cost: £5 per child. A responsible adult (parent/carer) must be in the pool with their children. Please confirm on the form a responsible adult / parent / carer will be staying with you child/ren. 

Over the next few months, these sessions have the opportunity to develop into lessons. 

Due to the leisure centre being brand new, our families and children have the wonderful opportunity to have inclusive family swims at the new Epping Sports Centre! 

A social story / videos of the venue will be provided during the first week of January 2026.

Call our customer support team on 01992 564 226 to make a telephone booking or for further assistance with online bookings.

This activity is for children & young people age 0-18, and their families, who are neurodiverse, have a specific learning difficulty, sensory disorder, physical impairment or medical condition.  Families new to the project must register with Essex Short Breaks and West Essex Inclusion Project. 

This Sunday SEN family Swim is open to parents/carers, siblings or friends of any child that is registered with our project and Essex Short Breaks.

 If you have any questions, would like to join The West Essex Inclusion Project, or need to speak with someone regarding your child’s complex needs or specialist healthcare contact Disability Inclusion Officer, Emily Stevens:

estevens@eppingforestdc.gov.uk or on 07596 890 819 

Please be aware that this activity is in partnership with Epping Sports Centre, and for safety purposes your Emergency Contact details (Participant Name, Participants additional needs, Guardians Name, Guardians Telephone Number, child's Date of birth, Unique Passport number and Emergency contact details) will be passed to Epping Sports Centre and will only be used for the purposes of registration on to the session and contact in case of an emergency.

West Essex Inclusion Project – Summer Inclusive Trampolining Harlow

Summer trampolining at Stewards Academy, Parnall Rd, Harlow CM18 7NQ 
Monday 24th August - 2-3pm 

Our wonderful trampoline coach, Emma who delivers our Wednesday year round sessions at Epping Sports Centre welcomes you to join us in Harlow! 

Enjoy this SEND friendly coached trampoline session at Stewards Academy this summer where your child will be supported to develop key skills such as: hand-eye co-ordination, balance, core strength, developing relationships, following instructions and so much more!

Based on our family feedback, we hope to introduce regular SEND trampolining sessions to Harlow! 

This session is for children and young people aged 6-14 with SEND on The West Essex Inclusion Project and open to children living in Harlow, Epping and Uttlesford. 

For more information, or to join The West Essex Inclusion Project, please contact our Disability and Inclusion Officer for Harlow, Lexi Doherty - adoherty@eppingforestdc.gov.uk 

West Essex Inclusion Project: VertiGo Climbing Wall Activity

VertiGo Climbing Wall – Summer Activity at Harlow Leisurezone, Second Avenue, Harlow, CM20 3DT

Thursday 30th July 3.30-4.30pm
Thursday 13th August 3.30-4.30pm

£11.00 per child (Parents must remain on site).

Booking support: Call 01992 564 226 (Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm) for help booking online or to book by phone.

Get ready to climb, stretch and conquer new heights at Leisurezone’s VertiGo climbing wall! This action-packed session is specially for children aged 6–14 with SEND, with a supportive, welcoming environment and staff on hand to help everyone take part at their own pace. Take on 19 exciting climbing challenges to test your strength and determination!  Tackle the Ice Climb, ascend the Planetarium wall or for the ultimate test try out The Step Tower or Leap of Faith!

No climbing experience is necessary and a full induction briefing is given at the start of the activity. All equipment is provided. Indoor climbing has never been easier or safer as automatic belay devices take in the slack as you climb and then lower you gently to the ground.  Places are limited to 15 children so book now to secure your spot.

More details about the VertiGo challenge are available on the Leisurezone website here: Climb Challenge : Harlow Leisurezone

For any queries or information on how to register contact:

Lexi Doherty (Harlow) – adoherty@eppingforestdc.gov.uk / 07548 145 591

Please note: This activity is delivered in partnership with Leisurezone, Harlow. For registration and emergency purposes, relevant emergency contact and participant information will be shared with partner staff and used only for session administration and in an emergency.

Families new to the project must register with Essex Short Breaks and West Essex Inclusion Project before booking. A valid Short Breaks code must be entered at the time of booking to secure your child’s place on an activity.

Unfortunately, if a code is not provided during the booking process, we will be unable to confirm the place and your child may be refused participation in the activity.