Here we go again, Advent & Other News
Colchester will join the rest of Essex in Tier 4 a minute after midnight Xmas Day. After that non-essential services & shops will be closed and we are asked to stay at home apart from exercise, shopping etc…
No household mixing indoors is allowed. You can leave your home to exercise by yourself, with your household or support bubble, or with one person from another household. Outdoor sport is allowed but gathering limits applies except for youth and disabled sport.
- COVID-19 Tier 4 Guidance.
- Shielding Advice for vulnerable residents.
- Explore museums from home.
- Find food support and advice.
- Support Available for Healthy Family Relationships.
Our Advent Calendar
Thanks to all those villagers who displayed advent scenes in their windows for our giant advent calendar. If you haven’t been able to see them yet then sit down and enjoy this video display (and singalong as well if you like).
Tour Colchester & Ipswich Museums Collections from your armchair
The museums hold over 200,000 records of objects, documents, artefacts and specimens: from Natural Science collections spanning millions of years to a wide range of Social History objects. Significant collections include the internationally important Roman archaeology from Colchester, to world-class Art in Ipswich. Visit their website to start your search.
Find food support and advice
There is a wide range of support available within Colchester. Businesses and organisations are offering free meals, as well as fun activities for children during the school holidays. Find businesses and organisations that are local to you by using the map or list below.
- Colchester CAP
Colchester CAP offer help and support with debt and provide access to foodbank vouchers. You can call them on 0800 328 0006 or email [email protected]. - Colchester United
Colchester United Football in the Community are offering free sports sessions and food provision across Colchester for those in receipt of free school meals this December. The course must be booked in prior to attending. - Essex Integration
Essex Integration is a non-profit organisation that provides essential support services to newly arriving refugees and migrants accepted under the Home Office VPR scheme to Essex. - GO4
GO4 are offering food support to any family in need. Email [email protected]or call 07531 207677 for more information. - The Munch Club
The Munch Club are delivering food to those in need. Areas include Monkwick, Berechurch, Shrub End, Old Heath, Rowhedge, Hythe, Greenstead. Other areas will be considered if families are in urgent need. - New Town Food Bank
New Town Food Bank at St Stephens Church on Canterbury Road in Colchester are open between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm on Mondays and 11:00 am and 1.00 pm on Thursdays for the collection of food parcels for those in need. They are open the week commencing 21 December up to Christmas and from 29 December up to 1 January. For more information contact [email protected].
This list will be updated over time, check here for the most recent.
Support Available for Healthy Family Relationships
Families can be reassured that help and advice is available to support them in managing family conflict and to promote positive and healthy relationships.
No matter how much people are looking forward to seeing their family, Christmas can be a time when arguments break out and tensions resurface.
If you feel you, or somebody you know, is struggling then ECC have more information here.