Bins are a day late this week | Local jobs | Local Easter fun

Good afternoon, Basildon

Hope you’re enjoying the Easter weekend. This is coming a day late due to Easter.

Before I get into this week’s news/opportunities, enjoy this cute picture of Little Chip - born this morning to Mum, Puff at Barleylands. Chip can be found in the Animal Barn with other baby goats, piglets and lambs.

Weather in Basildon next week

This week’s Met Office weather forecast says we’re up for a cloudy week ahead!

What's new?

Waste collections are a day late this week due to the Easter Bank Holiday 2025

To ensure you don't miss your collection, please put your bins out by 7am and check your collection calendar at www.basildon.gov.uk/WhereILive

April 28th is also the date when the new bin service kicks in

Starting Monday, 28 April 2025, we’ll get weekly black bin collections plus collection of 2x disposable recycling bags. You should have already received your new disposable bin bags by now.

New Easter releases at Basildon Vue Cinema

The Chosen  shows at Vue, Basildon Town Center 14:55 Saturday 19th April and 13:15 Sunday 20th April (Tickets from £6.99)

Local-ish jobs

P.S: If you know someone who’s looking for an apprenticeship or a job, feel free to forward this newsletter to help them in their job search

Training/Apprenticeships

Early Years Apprentice – Basildon
Second Steps Nursery is looking for passionate individuals to train as Early Years Educators while working hands-on with children in a warm, award-winning nursery environment.
 📌 £15,808/year | 40 hrs/week | Level 3 Apprenticeship
 ✅ Must love working with children, be eager to learn, and ready to start 28 April 2025
 📩 Apply: View Details

Early Years Apprentice – Grays, Thurrock
Ronti Care Solutions is seeking a motivated apprentice with a passion for childcare to support young learners and work towards a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification.
 📌 £23,000/year | Mon–Sun shifts | 40 hrs/week
 ✅ Experience with children preferred | Start: 28 April 2025 | Duration: 1 yr 9 months
 📩 Apply: View Details

Light Vehicle Technician – Lakeside (Mercedes-Benz)
Join one of the most prestigious automotive brands and build your skills in maintenance and repair in a fast-paced environment.
 📌 £15,704/year | 40 hrs/week | Start Sept 2025
 ✅ Level 3 Vehicle Technician apprenticeship | 3-year duration
 📩 Apply: View Details

Heavy Vehicle Maintenance Apprentice – Basildon
Work alongside experienced pros to keep heavy vehicles running safely and smoothly. Hands-on, early start, and a chance to learn it all.
 📌 £18,000/year | Mon–Fri 7am–4pm | Start: 2 June 2025
 ✅ Level 3 Heavy Vehicle Apprenticeship | 3 years
 📩 Apply: View Details

Apprentice Butcher – Billericay (Gibson Meats)
Roll up your sleeves and learn the art of butchery—from preparing cuts to making sausages. A proper hands-on role.
 📌 £15,704/year to start | Mon–Fri 9am–5pm | 40 hrs/week
 ✅ Level 2 Butcher Apprenticeship | Start: 15 May 2025 | Duration: 1 yr 6 months
 📩 Apply: View Details

LGV Driving Training – Essex & Midlands
Looking to get your Class 1 or 2 licence? Pre-pay training available at DVSA-approved sites with help finding full-time roles after.
 📌 Flexible schedule | Training available | Funding support possible
 ✅ Must pay balance before test | Reversing courses also offered
 📩 Apply: Darren – 01375 362683 / 07455 737741 | [email protected]

Transport Supervisor Apprentice – Basildon
Includes National & International Transport Manager qualifications through CILT.
 📌 Level 3 Apprenticeship | Schedule TBC
 ✅ Ideal for those with logistics or transport interest
 📩 Apply: Darren – [email protected] | 07455 737741

Freight Forwarding Apprentice – Basildon (Festival Leisure)
Global Freight Connections is offering two apprenticeships covering road, air & sea freight logistics.
 📌 £14,722.50/year | Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm | 1 yr 9 months
 ✅ 16+ welcome | Hands-on training in a fast-moving sector
 📩 Apply: Find an Apprenticeship

Local-ish Jobs

Part-Time Cleaner – Essex
Experienced cleaner with own car needed for flexible part-time cleaning work.
 📌 Salary discussed at interview | Must drive | Training provided
 ✅ Areas: Benfleet, Basildon, Southend, Rayleigh & nearby
 📩 Apply: CV to [email protected]

Warehouse Operatives – Basildon (Great Bear)
Night owls wanted for warehouse work in a busy logistics hub.
 📌 £14.51/hr | Mon–Fri 10pm–6am
 📩 Apply: Apply Here

Assembly Operatives – Basildon Tractor Plant
15 people needed ASAP to start assembling tractors.
 📌 £12.50/hr (rising to £14.21) | Mon–Thu 6:45am–3:30pm | Fri 6:45am–11am
 ✅ Mechanical aptitude required | Long-term role
 📩 Apply: Text “TRACTOR” to 07967 104188

Outdoor Labourers – Essex
Hard work, outdoors, and paid weekly—perfect for someone who doesn't mind getting stuck in.
 📌 £12.21/hr | Mon–Fri 7:30am–5pm
 📩 Apply: 01702 338882 or text “Vine” to 07500 761672

Office Administrator – Romford
Construction experience? Skilled with Excel and Sage? Step into this full-time admin role.
 📌 £15/hr (with review after 3 months) | Mon–Fri | On-site parking
 ✅ 5 years admin + 2 years Sage preferred | Strong comms skills needed
 📩 Apply: CV to [email protected]

Sales & Office Administrator – Upminster RM14
Busy engineering company seeks a proactive admin pro. Driving licence essential.
 📌 Up to £26,000 DOE | Mon–Fri | Office-based
 ✅ Must have sales admin experience & strong IT skills
 📩 Apply: Claire – 01268 971950 / 07930 381354 | [email protected]

HGV 2 Dustcart Drivers – Basildon
Get behind the wheel of a dustcart! Local routes and steady hours.
 📌 £20.75/hr | Mon–Fri | Ongoing
 ✅ Class 2, CPC, and Tacho Card required
 📩 Apply: [email protected]

TIG Welder – Essex
TIG welder needed for immediate work. Let’s chat!
 📩 Apply: Call 01268 822888 or send your CV

Glass Factory Operative – Wickford
Looking for hands-on work in manufacturing? This one’s for you.
 📌 Full-time | Competitive pay | Career progression
 ✅ 1+ year experience required | Start ASAP
 📩 Apply: 01268 567000

Temp Administrator – Chelmsford
Short-term admin help needed in Chelmsford city centre.
 📌 £13/hr | Mon–Fri 9am–5pm | Now to May 2025
 📩 Apply: CV to [email protected]

Class 2 HGV Refuse Truck Driver – Brentwood
Work outdoors, drive a big truck, and keep the streets clean.
 📌 Competitive pay | Full-time | Monday–Friday
 ✅ Must have Class 2 licence, CPC & Tacho Card
 📩 Apply: Call 01268 567000

Delivery Drivers – Harlow & Ipswich
TK Prime Ltd is hiring full-time & part-time delivery drivers.
 📌 £121.50–£145.80/day | Van, fuel & device provided
 ✅ Self-employed | Immediate start | Bonus available
 📩 Apply: WhatsApp or call 07947 698631

Activities for Kids + Teens

You have my permission to share. 

If you’re looking to get your kids into coding, check out the BrightChamps remote coding training course for kids.

FREE Easter Family Event at Festival Leisure

Get ready for an action-packed Easter Sunday at Festival Leisure Park! Join us for a FREE day of fun on:

📅 Date: Sunday, 20th April
⏰ Time: 11 AM – 4 PM

You get to:

✅ Meet your favorite TV & Movie characters (and some legendary cars!)
✅ Take on the Easter Trail for tasty treats
✅ Enter to WIN 4 Cineworld tickets
✅ A special visit from our fluffy friend… the Easter Bunny!

All funds raised will support Great Ormond Street Hospital & REACH 💜

Join the Scouts – Empower Young People

Be part of something life-changing! Scouts offers 4 to 25-year-olds the chance to build confidence, learn life skills, and explore the world through fun, adventure, and teamwork.

From leadership to communication, young people grow in every way – and even go on to save lives, land jobs, and make a difference in their communities. Join them here: https://www.scouts.org.uk/

Basildon’s inclusive kickboxing academy – first class free

Train at Laindon Community Centre with fun, inclusive classes for:
👊 Juniors (8–15 yrs) – Mon 7–8pm, Wed 5–6pm (£5)
👊 Adults (16+ yrs) – Mon 8–9pm, Wed 6–7pm (£7)

Everyone’s welcome, including members with additional needs. Boost confidence, fitness, and have a great time! To book your taster, email: [email protected]

Basildon United needs new players in its new U14 EJA team

Basildon United Youth FC is launching a brand-new U14’s EJA team and is looking for talented players in all positions!

🔹 Who can join? All U14 players at EJA level
🔹 Why join? Be part of a club dedicated to developing young talent and providing a pathway to semi-professional football. Interested? Contact Ben Carter at 07854 272121

FREE Youth Club + food at Mother’s Kitchen!

Is your child aged 4-14? Do they love games, fun, and making new friends? Bring them along to our Youth Club at Mother’s Kitchen Community Group!

• Fridays | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

• Mother’s Kitchen Café, SS13 1PN

• A meal and drinks are provided – completely FREE!

• Fun games & activities

• A safe and friendly environment with a chance to meet new friends Register at https://forms.gle/ssVZWPoYgmcfpg4G6 or Book in via EventBrite

Free Yoga for children

Thursdays (free), Northlands Park Family Centre, Basildon. Ages 4 - 4:45pm 6-12 year olds. Reserve a place here https://www.yoga4all.co

Multisports + food for teens

King Edward Teenage Teatime Community Hub. Every Friday 5 - 7pm. Multisports, Dance, Football, Karaoke, Crafts. Snacks and refreshments provided. Free. Every Friday at King Edward Community Centre, Laindon. SS15 6GY. Contact 07701365822 or [email protected] for more info

Weekly youth groups for Yr 5+

Xplore, Youth Group at Manor Mission Church. Thursdays 8 - 9pm

Indoor Cricket for Age 8 - 16

Indoor cricket activities and games (Ages 8 - 16). Fridays, 5 - 6pm. (Starting January 24th 2025). JAMES HORNSBY SCHOOL SPORTS HALL LEINSTER ROAD, SS15 5NX.

Football for tots (Fun Factory)

Tots Football Fun sessions. Their exciting inflatable pitch also adds to the magic, creating a safe and fun environment where these special moments happen. Join us and be part of the joy every week! Noble Hall, Wat Tyler Park - Thursday: [https://booking.thefootballfunfactory.co.uk/event/555]

Indoor football for tots (Little Kickers)

Sign up: www.littlekickers.co.uk/find-a-class or Contact: [email protected]

Networking for Adults

If you've been thinking about lacing up your trainers to start your physical activity journey, Backside to Trackside is the perfect way to start. Not only will these guys support you to complete a 5k, they will build your confidence along the way.

Please note that spaces must be booked directly with Backside to Trackside using the link below, and not via Everyone Active/Basildon Sporting Village. Book here:

https://bookwhen.com/backsidetotracksidebasildon?fbclid=IwY2xjawJwdolleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHp6LjfGhHzq8UdtlYD0g0rqS5G6IiKBjT090K00xPQ0gilSmm_xaufixOQeh_aem_yrrM4ICwy5TTsznnPtagdw#focus=ev-sffa-20250513100000

Calling all book lovers - new book club

Love reading and chatting about books? Come along to our friendly book club for great reads and even better conversations. Timed perfectly with the new Waterstones about to open at Eastgate :-)

📅 When: Last Wednesday of every month
📍 Where: 3 Gibcracks, SS14 1PE
👥 Open to all book lovers – casual readers or lit fans!

Reserve a spot here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbNX0z1XG6EDNTKveXdiInavEFIw-eZnDTeAnGODeStVWHIQ/viewform?usp=header

Yoga for Mental Health (Free)

Every Friday, 11:15am (you’ve probably missed it today but you can book for next Friday)

King Edward Community Center, King Edward road, Laindon. SS15 6GY

Book via [email protected] or via this link

Free coffee morning

Just drop in. Every Friday 10am - 2pm. Noak Bridge Christian Center, Wash road, SS15 4BE.

Free martial arts class

Interested in learning Kyusho in a controlled, structured environment? Mark Smith’s academy has 3 spots available for open-minded individuals eager to develop valuable skills.

🔹 Includes: PDFs & online learning materials
🔹 Focus: Systematic training through key points
🔹 How to join: Book to secure your place!

Social Community Football Games

Join a group of young men from Basildon for evening football on Mondays at Basildon Sporting Village & Woodlands School. Great way to keep fit and be part of the community.

• Times: Monday 7:30 PM (9-a-side), Wednesday 7 PM (6-a-side)

• Fee: £7 per person per game

• Contact: WhatsApp 07723 615546

Sewing group

Learn to knit, crochet or sew on Thursday mornings (10am - 12noon). Venue: The pavilion, Great Berry. £4 per class. Further information, call Ann 07802161021

Coffee morning

Mondays, 10am - 12pm. Manor Mission Church, ​Manor Mission Church Manor Road Laindon Essex SS15 6PA

Support for Adults

Private counselling service with Basildon Mind. Call 01268 284130 to make an appointment.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering for local charities is a great way to make new friends and get a ‘feel’ of the community whether you’re new to the area or you’ve lived here all your life. Here are available opportunities coming up.

Volunteer needed to support Basildon Mind in Humankind Cafe, Billericay.

Just another exciting opportunity to join us in our role within Human Kind Cafe,  Billericay  - if interested please contact us at [email protected]

Help Launch Flex HQ – A New Youth Hub in Basildon!

Flex Community Group is opening Flex HQ, a brand-new 3,000 sq. ft. community hub in Basildon town centre! This exciting space will provide:
✅ Youth hall & dance studio
✅ Sensory & soft play areas for young children
✅ Hot-desking & enterprise spaces for young people
✅ Offices & wellbeing support spaces

To make this dream a reality, Flex is fundraising for essential equipment…starting from scratch! With just one month until the grand opening in April, every donation counts to help build a space that empowers local youth.

Support the cause: Donate here 💙

Play golf? Essex golf union is seeking new directors, chairmen and members

Essex Golf Union is looking for new Directors and Chairmen on our board, as well as new members to fulfill roles on our Sub-Committee and act beneath the board. Our proposed board structure is shown in the below organogram. If you are interested, please contact us now at [email protected] or call us on 01376 500998 to discuss further

Help reopen the parkside centre!

The team behind Mother’s Kitchen is working hard to bring the Parkside Centre back to life…after being abandoned for 12 years. And they need your help! Your donation, no matter how small, will make a huge difference in making the centre accessible to all.

The plan is to turn it into a venue for fitness classes, arts & crafts, and amazing community events for everyone to enjoy. Join the fundraiser here.

Volunteer as a helpline support worker

Basildon Mind is looking for help liners to provide invaluable first-hand support to local people in need of our support. Please visit our webpage on www.basmind.org or call us on 01268-284130 for all/full details.

Feeding the homeless

Project 58.7, Feeding the Homeless with Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Basildon – Project 58.7 provides hot meals throughout the year to any adults in need and to the homeless. They are currently looking for volunteers to help during the evenings between 6pm and 7pm. For more details, please contact Jill on 07860 784287.

Essex Police needs special constables

Essex Police is looking for volunteer police officers to help reassure and keep residents safe. Find out more and Sign up here: Special Constable for Essex Police - BBW Volunteer Network

Business Opportunities

Teepee business for sale in Basildon.

Till next time, Basildon 💕