Help & Advice Support Groups Colchester Colchester Child Support and Activity Groups Name Description Telephone/Email Website Disability 4 Sport Provides a wide range of sporting opportunities and activities, aimed at engaging and empowering people of all ages 01206 619631 Click here Best Foot Forward Creative Dance Provides a range of dance classes, specialising in working with people with learning and physical disabilities 07878 920237 contact@bestfootforward.dance Click here Essex Outdoors Delivers a range of high quality outdoor learning programmes at centres across Essex Various numbers for different centres- Here Click here Girl guiding Girlguiding for girls aged 5+ years with special and/or additional needs colchestersouth.SNU@virginmedia.com Colchester Leisure World Caters for individuals of all ages with a wide range of disabilities 01206 282000 Click here Bounceability- Trampolining centre Offers trampolining to people of all ages, abilities and disabilities 01206 240510/07776 275029 bounceability@hotmail.com Barnardo’s Have a range of activities at various children’s centres located throughout Colchester 01206 562438 Click here Colchester Catalyst Provides funding for support and equipment needed for people who live in a CO postcode area 01206 323420 info@colchestercatalyst.co.uk Click here YES- Colchester and Tendring Youth Enquiry Service Provides a confidential, non-judgemental and informal service for young people aged 11-25 facing difficulties 01206 710771 Click here Mid and North Essex MIND Provides a variety of services and activities to help improve the lives of people throughout North East Essex 01206 764600 Click here Papworth Trust Provides information and advice for people under 19years old 0800 9525000 info@papworthtrust.org.uk Click here Colchester Adult Support and Activity Groups Autism Anglia’s Asperger’s Support group Support and social group for people aged 18+ with Asperger’s and High functioning autism. Relaxed and informal 0300 1233122 advice@autism-anglia.org.uk Mid and North Essex Mind STaR Service Support & Friendship Group Support Group for those feeling socially isolated, experiencing low to moderate stress, anxiety and or depression. Mid and North Essex Mind 01206 764600 Bounceability- Trampolining centre Offers trampolining to people of all ages, abilities and disabilities 01206 240510/07776 275029 bounceability@hotmail.com Best Foot Forward Creative Dance Provides a range of dance classes, specialising in working with people with learning and physical difficulties 07878 920237 contact@bestfootforward.dance Click here Bright Lives Social Enterprise Provides life skills and personal development for those with learning disabilities 01206 615165 enquiries@brightlives.org.uk Click here Colchester Leisure World Aims to cater for individuals of all ages with a wide range of abilities and disabilities 01206 282000 Click here Green trees Farm Part of the Big Xperience, an approved centre for young adults with learning disabilities. Small yard with horses, aim to work towards personal goals for individuals including confidence. Run activities including bush craft, wood work and lots more 07814 266673 Click here Colchester Catalyst Provides funding for support and equipment needed for people who live in a CO postcode area 01206 323420 infor@colchestercatalyst.co.uk Click here Colchester Gateway Club Provides social clubs and activities for adults with learning disabilities 07999 278472 mandy@colchestergatewayclubs.org Click here The Level Best Art Café run by the Dacon Trust Aims to provide quality work and life skills training for people with disabilities 01206 366059 Click here ACE- Anglian Community Enterprise Provides NHS community health services to the local community and those with learning disabilities 0845 3073600 Click here Colchester Institute Counselling Service Offers counselling services to individuals as part of an education programme for counsellors. This is donation based 01206 712184 CICS.info@colchester.ac.uk Click here Health in Mind Offers a wide range of talking treatments to help people with a variety of different mental health problems 0300 3305455 healthinmind@hpft.nhs.uk Click here Life Force Counselling A professional private BACP Accredited Counselling Service and Counselling School 01206 791661 info@lifeforce-centre.co.uk Click here Inclusively Digital Provides training, advice and support 07791 257931 info@inclusivelydigital.co.uk Click here Wellies On (formerly Butterfly Lodge) Offers holistic one to one, group training and therapeutic experiences in a farm environment. All work is done at your own pace 01206 735453 emma@wellieson.com Click here Colchester Parent and Carer Support Colchester Carers centre Aims to provide support, advice and information including signposting to other agencies 01206 560997 Click here Colchester counselling and Psychotherapy Centre Provides counselling to individuals and couples 01206 561606 information@ccandpc.co.uk Click here Colchester Spectrum A parent and carers support group, run by both parents and professionals, to help find positive strategies at both home and school Jane Pearson: 01206 210855 drjanepearson@hotmail.com Claire Smith: 01376 510132 clairejsmith@tesco.net Counselling for carers Offered to carers of family members, also offer low cost counselling 01206 768211 admin@stockwellcentre.com Click here Special Needs Counselling Service Offers counselling to those affected by disability or long term health conditions Caroline: 07811 549463 caroline@specialneedscounselling.co.uk Click here MAZE A parenting course aimed at parents with children who have additional needs, they also run local coffee mornings 07708 873023 themaze@btinternet.com Click here CCVS Support and voluntary service 01206 505250 information@ccvs.org Click here The Crouch Street Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Provides services for adults, couples, families, children and group work 01206 273327 01206384434 Click here Essex Support and Activity Groups Name Description Telephone/Email Website The Challenging Behaviour Foundation Works with children and adults with severe learning difficulties and behaviour that is described as challenging. They offer information and support to families across the UK 0300 666 0126 support@thecbf.org.uk Click here Citizens Advice Bureau Provides people with round-the-clock access to CAB information on their rights- including benefits, housing and employment, debt, consumer and legal issues 0344 477 0808 Click here Essex Outdoors Delivers a range of high quality outdoor learning programmes at centres across Essex Various numbers for different centres- Here Click here ILA- Independent Living Advocacy Promotes the empowerment of disabled people throughout Essex 01376 534980 enquiries@ilaessex.co.uk Click here Sure start Children’s Centre Provides a play service for children under the age of 5. Also offers support and advice. Sensory facilities available in some locations Click here Essex Carer’s support Supports informal carers of any age regardless of the nature of the disability 01255 474410 admin@essexcarerssupport.org.uk Click here Avenues Group Organises sports and leisure activities, day trips ad taster sessions for anyone with physical, sensory and/or learning difficulties 0300 3230405 info@avenuesgroup.org.uk Click here Cinema Exhibitors Association (CEA) Provides a card for a small fee enabling carers to get free entry to cinemas when accompanying someone with a disability or additional need 0845 1231292 Click here Carers UK Gives expert advice, information and support to carers 0808 808 7777 Click here MENCAP Helps children and adults with special needs and disabilities. Various support available including family, personal and residential 0808 8081111 Click here Essex Respite Association Provides help for carers who care for people aged 18-70 and would like planned respite 01245 353855 e.respite@btconnect.com Click here Care Farming UK Allows people with a learning disability to learn about the natural world and animal care skills at various farms Click here Adult Community Learning Offers a wide range of training courses and learning opportunities 0345 6037635 Click here Child Law Service (CORAM) Provides legal advice and information on areas of child, family and education law Family or child law- 0300 3305480 Education law- 0300 3305485 Click here Essex Carers Network Listens to carers who are caring for a family member with a learning disability 07876 025480- cannot receive texts info@essexcarersnetwork.co.uk Click here