Welcome

Voluntary Action Epping Forest is an umbrella organisation providing advice, information & development support services to voluntary and community organisations and volunteers in the District. Local Voluntary groups are assisted with fund raising, volunteer recruitment and regular information. Volunteers recruited with learning disabilities are offered extra support and team activities. The organisation also hosts a number of direct services for older people which include gardening, carers support, home safety, befriending and handyman.

Based in Epping we have been operational since 1993, during which time we have grown from a minimal staff team to 20 employees – 9 covering core services and 11 project staff. We are governed by our members (around 200 local voluntary and community groups) through an elected Board of Trustees.

News …..

Welcome to our recently designed website including the new Voluntary Action Epping Forest logo. This launch coincides with the 20th Anniversary of our providing support to the voluntary and community sector in the district. I am pleased to say that our organisation has gone from strength to strength now hosting 10 projects supporting vulnerable and older people in the district. During our journey many people have helped us including previous staff, Trustees, volunteers, partner organisations, funders and our membership groups and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their support.

I am pleased to announce that Chris Bullock, VAEF Handyman was recently awarded a Highly Commended certificate from the Pride of Essex awards – Unsung Hero category. Nominated by clients, this is a wonderful achievement and it is great to know how much Chris’ work is appreciated.

Please check this website for continuous updates of events, project news and publications.

Quotes from service users

‘I just wanted to write and say thank you again for visiting my group on Thursday. All the learners found it very interesting and enjoyable and many are now keen to find a suitable volunteer placement whilst they are looking for more permanent employment. They are all aware of the value in gaining some relevant work experience and were surprised at the range of opportunities that were available to them.’

HarlowCollege Tutor, New Horizons Course

‘Thank you so much for coming this morning and for everything you have done. It was very kind of you to fit that lock on the door. I think I would be better with one of those other alarms that you said that the police use because you said that they are very good and because I think it would be better than any one that I can buy in any of the diy shops.
Thank you once again for this morning you were really wonderful. Now if I think that there is someone outside the front door I will be able to open the door to look a look at him.’

Home Safety Client