COVID-19 – VAEF AND HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!
ARE YOU AN EPPING FOREST RESIDENT REQUIRING SUPPORT DURING COVID-19? contact [email protected]
DOES YOUR ORGANISATION NEED ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS DURING COVID-19? contact [email protected]
ARE YOU ARE SERVICE SUPPORTING RESIDENTS IN EPPING FOREST DURING COVID-19? contact [email protected] so we can add you to our database of service providers outlining how you are able to assist with your contact details.
Following Government Guidance, VAEF have closed all of our group activities including Community Clubs , Ace Activities, My Weight Matters, Digital Learning, Training and promotional events until further notice. Some of our services such as Benefits Advice and volunteer interviews are still taking place but over the telephone.  Additionally, we are all being advised to reduce our unnecessary social contact. As such, we will be implementing home working arrangements within Voluntary Action Epping Forest with contact available via our email [email protected] or your personal known contact email address. VAEF phone numbers will not be manned until further notice, all contact needs to be made using the above or contacting your VAEF contact via email.
VAEF are coordinating a system whereby staff and volunteers will maintain phone contact with VAEF clients and are aiming to offer additional support needed to others residents who lack support systems during this challenging time who are referred to us.
We are setting up a system to register those wanting to volunteer who have a current satisfactory police check as well as organisations offering support within the District. We are working closely with other groups such as Epping Forest District Council, West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group and Essex County Council to share resources and co-ordinate support efforts. We have set up an expression of interest form for anyone who would like to help – please share this with your volunteers and networks click here
We are happy to work with local groups emerging across Epping Forest offering support and if you come across any please send them our way.
We will keep you updated as things develop, but let us know if you can offer help or have volunteers who would like to help. Alternatively, if you have a need or come across anyone and we will do our best to co-ordinate the responses to support them appropriately.
And remember – please be kind to each other in these hard times.  You are all doing an amazing job but it is tough right now, uncertain, and stressful – and supporting each other right now is so important!
About Us
Voluntary Action Epping Forest is an independent charity known as a council for voluntary services or CVS. We have been supporting not for profit organisations in Epping Forest for more than twenty five years. Our core work is aimed at helping local charities and community groups to achieve their full potential. Services offered help to improve peoples quality of life and health & wellbeing.
We operate a number of direct services for people living in Epping Forest, these include:
- VAEF Befriending: This project was developed to address the need of the socially isolated by providing a befriending service across the Epping Forest District to the elderly aged 65 years or over and their carers and includes short respite for carers whilst social clubs operate.
- VAEF Handyman: The Handyman Service is a partnership between Epping Forest District Council and Voluntary Action Epping Forest which launched in October 2012. The service is funded by EFDC and provides a handyman service to tenants of EFDC properties provided they are over 60 and or disabled and have no one else who can assist them.
- VAEF Gardening: When gardens and lawns become overgrown, most of us find it a nuisance. People who are physically unable to do their gardens find it distressing, particularly those who are housebound. The aim of this service is to provide gardeners and volunteers to maintain the gardens of people who cannot do it themselves, free of charge.
- VAEF Volunteer Centre: Providing volunteers with opportunities to volunteer at local organisations
- VAEF Ace Activities: is a multi-activity project for people with Learning Disabilities. We have a range of opportunities to choose from to suit your needs.
- VAEF Community Handyman: Your odd jobs completed by our trusted community Handyman . Do you have jobs at home you are unable to manage? Are you over 60, disabled or in receipt of benefits? VAEF can help!
- VAEF Benefits Advice: The benefits advice and information project is available to those whose personal circumstances make it difficult for them to access services in their area or outside of the home.
- VAEF Timebank: The Epping Forest Time Bank aims to help local people help each other, one hour at a time!
- VAEF My Weight Matters: Join this 12 week programme where you will get resources and encouragement to help you lose weight and be weighed weekly.
- VAEF Digital Boomers: Helping seniors and those living with a disability in West Essex with their computers, tablets and smartphones.
Services operate within Epping Forest. For full details visit our website www.vaef.org.uk
