CUCF is supporting the community during the cost of living crisis by offering a range of free activities.
Colchester United Community Foundation are offering a wide range of free activities for young people and adults to attend in the community. Please read below to find out what we can offer you this winter and beyond.
Free physical activity sessions:
As cost can be a barrier for so many people to access sport, we have taken away that hurdle by working with key partners to be able to provide free activity.
Adults
Senior U’s Shrub End supported by Provide Community
WHO – Anyone aged over 60.
WHAT – Senior U’s is a free fitness and social club, that aims to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing.
WHERE – Shrub End Community and Sports Centre, Boadicea Way, Colchester, CO2 9BG.
WHEN – Bi-weekly Thursday mornings between 10am-12pm.
CONTACT – To sign-up or for more information please email: cucf@colchesterunited.net
Senior U’s Maldon supported by Provide Community
WHO – Anyone aged over 60.
WHAT – Senior U’s is a free fitness and social club, that aims to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing.
WHERE – Maldon Stadium, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ.
WHEN – Bi-weekly Friday mornings between 10am-12pm.
CONTACT – To sign-up or for more information please email: cucf@colchesterunited.net
Take a look at the kinds of activities Senior U's get up to in the video below:
Get into Gear with the U’s supported by Active Essex
WHO – Anyone aged over 55.
WHAT – A free cycling programme to encourage people over 55 to get cycling.
WHERE – On the cycling track at Colchester Sports Park, Northern Gateway, Cuckoo Farm Way, Colchester, CO4 5YX.
WHEN – Bi-weekly Friday mornings between 10am-11.30am. Starting February 3rd.
CONTACT – To sign-up or for more information please email: cucf@colchesterunited.net
Young People
ActivAte Holiday Programme supported by Active Essex
Colchester United Community Foundation is working in conjunction with Active Essex Foundation and are delighted to be offering free sports sessions and food provision across Colchester for those in receipt of free school meals, or in of need financial support for child care throughout Feb Half term. Throughout each day, children will participate in sport and enrichment activities. Children attending via the free school meals link will also receive lunch and a snack.
Shrub End – Low-income
Dates: Wednesday 15th, Thursday 16th and Friday 17th February 2023
Times: 10am- 2pm
Age group: 4- 11 years old
Shrub End – Free School Meals
Dates: Wednesday 15th, Thursday 16th and Friday 17th February 2023
Times: 10am- 2pm
Age group: 4- 11 years old
Colchester Academy – Low- income
Dates: Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th and Friday 17th February 2023
Times: 9am- 1pm
Age group: 4- 11 years old
Colchester Academy – Free School Meals
Dates: Tuesday 14th, Wednesday 15th and Friday 17th February 2023
Times: 9am- 1pm
Age group: 4- 11 years old
Maldon – Low – income
Dates: Wednesday 15th, Thursday 16th and Friday 17th February 2023
Times: 9am- 1pm
Age group: 4- 11 years old
Maldon – Free School Meals
Dates: Wednesday 15th, Thursday 16th and Friday 17th February 2023
Times: 9am- 1pm
Age group: 4- 11 years old
Premier League Kicks 8-18 Year Old’s supported by the PLCF
At CUCF we run four PL Kicks sessions across different venues in North Essex, to give young people aged 8-18 years old a safe environment to come and play football. PL Kicks offers young people lots of opportunities outside of football, from personal development opportunities, to the chance to take part in social action projects, like the one discussed in this video:
We run sessions at these four locations:
- Tuesday – Colchester Academy Greenstead – 5-6pm.
- Wednesday – Clacton Leisure Centre – 5-6pm.
- Thursday – Harwich and Dovercourt Lifestyle Bay – 5-6pm.
- Friday – Shrub End Community and Sports Centre – 8-9pm.
To book onto one of these sessions please visit: https://colchester-united-cf.class4kids.co.uk/term/81 or for more information please email: cucf@colchesterunited.net
Disability Provision supported by Children in Need
Our PAN Soccability football sessions run throughout term time and are open to children with any disability.
WHO – Young people aged between 5-11 years old.
WHAT – Free football sessions to develop football skills and social skills.
WHERE – Shrub End Community and Sports Centre, Boadicea Way, Colchester, CO2 9BG.
WHEN – Thursday’s 4.45pm-5.30pm during the term time.
To book onto one of these sessions please click here or for more information email: cucf@colchesterunited.net
Smart Meter Education:
Through the EFL’s partnership with Smart Energy GB, we have been working with people in the community to help raise awareness around Smart Meters and how they can help to save you money on your energy bills. We have also provided education around how the in-home displays (IHD) work, to help people use them effectively.
Winter Warm Hubs:
Another way that we are supporting the community is by opening up winter warm hubs. This is to provide the local residents with a warm facility they can use, as we are very aware that due to the cost of living crisis lots of people are unable to heat their homes this winter. Please see our venues and times below:
Tuesday mornings - JobServe Community Stadium – 9.30am-11am.
Wednesday mornings – Shrub End Community and Sports Centre – 9.30am-11am.
For more information or to register your interest, please email: cucf@colchesterunited.net
CUCF Health and Inclusion Officer, Ed King, was asked why he felt this support was important during these times. Ed said “First and foremost I feel it is very important to thank all our external partners and funders who make offering these activities possible. We are very pleased to be able to offer as many free activities as we are, from free physical fitness sessions to our winter warm hubs. We have a wide range of activities which we hope will support a large part of the community”.
If you are interested in supporting the foundation in delivering any of these activities, we are always looking for volunteers. Please email cucf@colchesterunited.net to tell us about you and the area that you would like to volunteer in.