Your Guide to Events and Activities throughout Epping Forest
At Home Instead Epping Forest, we understand the impact that activities and events have on the community, and the ways they can benefit you and your loved one.
There are many events that take place throughout the year, offering companionship, support and fun within a vibrant community!
We hope you enjoy reading through some of the great initiatives that are available throughout Epping Forest. These events aim to provide support, companionship, and engaging activities for individuals and families in the community. Look forward to seeing you there!
Buckhurst Hill
Every 2nd Friday of the month, from 10am to 12pm, the Buckhurst Hill Memory Café welcomes attendees to Roding Valley Hall on Station Way, IG9 6LN. For more details reach out via email at [email protected] or by phone at 07743 097973.
Additionally, on selected Mondays, the community gathers for ‘Singing for the Brain’ sessions at St John’s Church Hall on High Road, running from 10:30am to 12pm. If you’re interested in singing contact [email protected] or call 0333 1503456.
Bedford House offers various engaging activities, including gardening, crafting sessions, seated dance classes and Tai Chi. For more information visit www.bedfordhouse.org.uk/community-courses, call 0208 504 6668, or email [email protected].
Every second Monday, from 10.30am to 12pm, The Noah’s Ark Community Hub organises a Dementia Support Group for Carers at St Elisabeth’s Hall on Chestnut Avenue, IG9 6EP. All are welcome. For more information call 0208 252 3273 or email [email protected].
Woollard’s Kitchen, hosted at The Woollard Centre on Loughton Way, invites anyone over 18, who may be living alone or keen to socialise with others, to meet over a free cuppa and cake, every Thursday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. For more information you can call Lorraine on 07960 603621.
Chigwell
The Memory Café at Chigwell Convent is located at 803 Chigwell Road, on the last Friday of each month from 10am to 12pm. Interested participants can contact David on 07702 638650.
Epping
Following our sponsored charity walk back in April last year, Home Instead Charities is excited to be supporting Epping at the Movies, the first film to be sponsored is the fantastic ‘Wonka’ (PG) on Saturday 23rd March at Epping Hall, CM16 5JU, from 11am to 1pm. You can purchase tickets here or contact our Community Relationships Manager Maureen for more information at [email protected] or call 01992 666777.
Action for Family Carers organises activity groups at Jack Silley Pavilion every Thursday offering sessions on keeping active from 10am to 12:30pm and active minds from 12:45pm to 3:15pm. For more details and to register for a free taster session contact [email protected] or call 0300 7708090.
Additionally, the Alzheimer’s Society hosts a dementia support drop-in session at the Epping Community Hub, located at Civic Offices on High St, CM16 4BZ, on the last Monday of every month from 10am to 3pm.
Carers First volunteers run a Carers Peer Support Group on the first Thursday of each month from 2pm to 4pm. Venue details are confirmed upon registration, so interested individuals can book or enquire on 0300 303 1555 or [email protected].
Dates for the next Epping and Ongar Railway Summer Memory Train have not yet been decided, but please contact https://www.eorailway.co.uk/ for more information.
Now in its third year, St John’s Church, is hosting a Dementia Fair on the 11th May from 10am to 2pm. Offering supportive information and advice with a variety of stalls and demonstrations, this is a drop in community event and booking isn’t required.
Hastingwood
Every Thursday from 10am to 12pm, St Clare Hospice Gardens hosts the Dementia Carers Café, providing a supportive environment for carers to come together. Additionally, a Dementia Friendly Gardening Club meets at St Clare Hospice Community Space every Thursday from 10am to 12pm, with advanced bookings required. For more information and bookings for both events email [email protected] or call 07534 031702.
Loughton
The Rotary Club of Roding organises a Memory Café at The Loughton Club, IG10 4NX, on the first Friday of each month from 10am to 12pm. For details, contact Fran at 07903 274398 or Chris at 07510 297173.
Voluntary Action Epping Forest (VAEF) runs a Social Activity Club every Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm at St John the Baptist Loughton with St Nicholas, offering tea, cake, and engaging activities. For more information and pricing call 07708 171116.
Loughton Voluntary Care hosts various groups at Loughton Methodist Church, including the Keep Well Club, a fish and chip lunch, a befriending program, and an IT Clinic for digital support. For bookings you can contact [email protected] or call 0208 5086114 and 07592 369198.
North Weald
The Dementia Friendly Short Mat Bowling Group meets every Tuesday from 10:30am to 12:30pm at Bantham and Ongar Bowls Club, CM16 6GP. For more details, call Doreen at 01277 363202.
VAEF organises a Social Activity Club with engaging activities every Tuesday from 1pm to 3pm at Leonard Davis House. Call 07708 171116 to find out more and book.
Ongar
Every Thursday from 10am to 12pm, Puzzle Club convenes at St James Church on St James Avenue, offering the chance to socialise in a warm and welcoming environment over a puzzle. For enquiries contact [email protected] or call 01992 564222.
3Social & Warm Place4U hosts a Memory Café at St James’ Church Hall in Ongar on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 10am to 12pm, providing a supportive space for those living with dementia to connect and share experiences. For more information, individuals can contact info@[email protected] or call 01992 842642 / 07973 166940.
Carers First Staff organises a Carers Wellbeing Group at Zinc Arts, Great Stony, High Street, Chipping. Open to all caregivers, the group meets on the second Wednesday of the month from 1:30pm to 3pm. Call 0300 303 1555 or email [email protected] for more information or to book.
Theydon Bois
At Home Instead Epping Forest, we organise the ‘Memory Lane Café’ at Theydon Bois Village Hall on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 2:15pm to 3:45pm, providing a welcoming environment for socialising and support.
We also host ‘Singing for the Brain’ sessions on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 10:30am to 12pm, offering an enjoyable and stimulating activity for all who attend!
We have previously hosted a Summer Tea Dance, Christmas Party and Valentines Tea Dance, bringing lots of smiles and laughter to the dancefloor! We continue to organise these community events throughout the year and our monthly events offer a warm, friendly space for individuals, their families and caregivers to socialise, share experiences and strengthen support networks.
For more information, interested individuals can contact our Community Relationships Manager Maureen at [email protected] or call 01992 666777.
Waltham Abbey
The Space at Epping Forest District Museum hosts ‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’, featuring a weekly Community Café from 12pm to 1:45pm. For further details or to book, interested individuals can contact [email protected] or call 01992 564226.
It also organises Museum Movers sessions every Friday from 10:30am to 12pm, where participants can enjoy dancing, refreshments, and a friendly chat! To book or for more information, individuals can visit their website here or call 01992 564226.
The Men’s Shed, organised by VAEF, meets weekly from 2pm to 4pm, providing a supportive environment for individuals to engage in crafts and activities. For further details or to book contact [email protected] or call 01992 910701.
VAEF also hosts a Social Activity Club every Friday from 1pm to 3pm at Jubilee Court in Waltham Abbey, offering tea, cake, and optional transport services. For enquiries or to participate, call 07708 171 116.
Furthermore, 3Social & Warm Place4U organises a Memory Café at Waltham Abbey Baptist Church Hall, EN9 1RL, on the last Friday of each month from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. Interested participants can contact info@[email protected] or call 01992 842642 or 07973 166940.
