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Hello, Basildon!

Hope you’re managing to stay cool in this weather! Before we delve into the latest happenings locally this week, we’re admiring these beautiful set of phots from Wildlife around St. Nicholas Church, Laindon

P.S: If you have any recommendations for this newsletter, please reply this or email them to [email protected]. Every single email is read by a real person :-)

Weather in Basildon this week

According to the Met Office weather forecast, Basildon is in for a cooler and increasingly cloudy week, with temperatures gradually falling from 25° on Tuesday to just 19° by Saturday before a slight weekend recovery.

What’s New?

Go Gold – Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Look out for gold stickers across Essex this September Lennox Children's Cancer Fund is spreading awareness through their Go Gold campaign. If you spot a gold sticker on a coffee cup or takeaway packaging, take a photo and tag @lennoxccf. If you run a café, shop or business and want to get involved, reach out to them directly. No fundraising ask – purely an awareness campaign.

The Fight Back Fund available for local domestic abuse survivors The fund provides financial assistance to eligible survivors of domestic abuse, helping them rebuild their lives, recover safely and move towards greater independence. Support may be available for essential items and costs that help survivors establish a safe and secure future. Applications are made through professionals working with survivors, who can assess eligibility and submit requests on their behalf.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or are concerned about someone you know, support is available. Basildon Council's Domestic Abuse Team: 01268 206798 | [email protected]

USP College Enrolment Opens This Week
Enrolment opens on Thursday 20 August and runs until Thursday 3 September. Late enrolment may also be available where course spaces remain. Enrolment is completed online, but Seevic and Palmer’s campuses will be open for applicants who need help accessing the process.

Hot Weather Safety Reminder Protect yourself, your pets and the environment during the warm spell Watch out for falling tree branches, keep children away from ponds and lakes, avoid walking dogs on hot surfaces during the hottest parts of the day, and be mindful of fire risk in dry grass and woodland areas. 🔗 Report hazards: orlo.uk/SMJi8 

Have Your Say on Basildon's Local Plan Consultation closes 22nd September 2026 Residents, businesses and stakeholders are invited to comment on whether the plan has been properly prepared, is justified, effective and consistent with national planning policy. Paper copies and pre-booked officer appointments are available for those who need them. 🔗 View and respond: orlo.uk/xxmYA 

Book The Square in Wickford for Your Next Event A flexible outdoor space in the heart of Wickford town centre Available for community events, pop-up markets, charity fundraisers and live performances. Note: no electricity provision on site currently. 📞 01268 858979 🌐 wickfordtowncouncil.gov.uk 

NHS Healthy Start – Support for Families Help buying everyday essentials for young families If you're pregnant or have a child under four, you may be eligible for a prepaid card to spend on fruit, vegetables, milk and infant formula, plus free vitamins. 🔗 healthystart.nhs.uk 

NHS Essex Health Information Survey Takes around 5 minutes and is anonymous The NHS wants to understand how people find and use health information online to help shape a new campaign giving people tools to identify reliable sources. 🔗 orlo.uk/3Kopc 

Wickford Wellbeing Café – Volunteers Needed Could you spare a couple of hours on a Wednesday? The Wickford Wellbeing Café at Nevendon Community Centre is looking for friendly volunteers to help make teas and coffees, welcome attendees and support activities. Drop in any Wednesday 11:30am–1pm or email Sarah. ✉️ [email protected] 

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Things to do in Basildon this week

Basildon Half Marathon 13.1 miles through the borough – plus a Junior Race for young runners! 🔗 Enter now: orlo.uk/Ve6Hr

Monday

Sing Club – Billericay
Fun daytime singing sessions. No experience needed.

🗓 Mondays or Fridays
⏰ 1:30pm – 2:30pm
📍 Billericay Theatre
💷 £6 per session
📧 [email protected]

Fitness Class – Bounce Billericay (BOUNCE)

Trampoline workouts, boxing, circuits and drumming-based exercise. Suitable for all abilities. 📍 HK Dance Studio, Summerhill Farm, Hardings Elm Rd, Billericay CM11 2UJ
🎟️£6.95 per session. Book now: www.bookwhen.com/bouncebillericay

Daily Group exercise classes at the Fit Lab, Essex (First class free)
Wrexham rd, Laindon. SS15 6PX @ 6am
📅 Book here: https://thefitlab.as.me/schedule/4867abca

Sing Club Billericay (first session free)
Join singing sessions – all ages and abilities welcome, no experience needed! Sessions are £6 pay-as-you-go, run by professional musicians, and no auditions, uniforms, or dancing required. Sessions run on

• Mondays (1.30–2.30pm, Queens Park Community Church) and

• Fridays (1.30–2.30pm, Mayflower Hall). For more info, email [email protected]

Gymophobics Pitsea – Women’s Gym Sessions 

A fun, supportive gym space just for women; no judgement, no pressure, just fitness, friendship and feeling good. Scarves flying, smiles wide, and lots of laughs.
Build stronger bodies and real friendships in a safe environment.

📍 Gymophobics, Pitsea
Free consultation available.  Inbox to book your free consultation.

Woodlands School, Basildon (Sporting Village)

⚽ 6:30 PM
Weekly friendly football for local lads — all abilities welcome (16-18yrs).
Balls, bibs & ref provided. Great for fitness, stress relief & fun.
📍 Woodlands School, Basildon
£10 per player | 1-hour game on 3G pitch
📲 WhatsApp: 07723 615546
🔗 Join online: https://footyaddicts.com/football-venues/1489-woodlands-school-basildon-essex

Weekly yoga @6:30pm
Fryerns Community hall, Whitmore Way, Basildon SS14 2NN
📅 Book here: Yoga Classes | Treatments | Southend-on-Sea | Yoga4all (Check site for various other sessions)

Tuesday

Veterans Breakfast Morning A relaxed space to connect, share and access support Hosted on behalf of the Mayor of Basildon, this is a great opportunity for service personnel to meet or reconnect and find out about local support services. Complimentary food and refreshments provided. Time: 9:30am – 1pm 📍 Towngate Theatre, Upper Foyer, Basildon. Free

Council Outreach Bus – Billericay High Street No appointment needed – just drop by Get help with council tax queries, housing or homelessness advice, or mental health service signposting. Friendly team, no booking required. Time: 10am – 3pm 📍 Billericay High Street. Free 🔗 orlo.uk/Ce7Q8 

Lazybones Boot Sale – Barleylands Now running every Tuesday as well as Sundays! Bargains, hidden treasures and a great atmosphere. Head inside The Village afterwards and visit the Tiptree Tea Rooms for a Farmers Breakfast. Time: Sellers from 9am | Buyers from 9:30am 📍 Barleylands, Billericay. Free parking

Tuesday Social Netball League
Women of all abilities are welcome to enjoy friendly weekly netball in Basildon.
📍 St Clere's School | 🕖 From 7pm

GolfTots – Langdon
Free weekly golf sessions for children aged 2.5–5 No booking needed.

🗓 Every Tuesday
⏰ 9:30am – 11:00am
📞 01268 548444
📧 [email protected]

Wellness Café Launch 9:30am–1:30pm
Open every Tuesday (term time), 9:30am–1:30pm at The Beech, SS14 3RZ. Free sessions with tea, activities, armchair exercise & community support…everyone welcome! Contact: [email protected]

Wednesday

Outdoor Cinema – Wickford Memorial Park Bring a blanket and enjoy HOPPERS on the big screen A free children's cinema afternoon in the park. Please be mindful of residents' driveways when parking nearby. Time: 2pm – 4pm 📍 Wickford Memorial Park 💷 Free 🌐 wickfordtowncouncil.gov.uk 

Summer Fun in the Park – Outdoor Cinema  Grab a blanket and enjoy a film under the stars 📍 Wickford Memorial Park | 2pm–4pm | Free

Community Day – Basildon Town Centre Meet local services, enjoy free activities and get support Join Essex Police, Fire and Rescue, Basildon Council, Essex Youth Service and many more organisations for a free family day. Free face painting, emergency service displays, community advice and information stands. Time: 11am – 3pm 📍 Basildon Town Centre. Free

Wilder Holiday Club – Langdon Nature Reserve Last sessions of the summer – don't miss out! A full day of fun in the woods for children aged 5+. Also running Thursday 20th August. Time:9am – 3pm 📍 Langdon Nature Reserve ✉️ [email protected] 🔗 essexwt.org.uk/events 

Men's Shed – FREE Weekly Sessions  A free welcoming space for men to come together, share skills, build confidence and have fun — crafts, furniture restoration and simple electronics. Hand tool donations also welcome! 📍 King Edward Community Centre, King Edward Road, Laindon, SS15 6GY 📅 Every Wednesday | ⏰ 10:00am – 1:00pm 🆓 Free — just pop in! 📧 [email protected] 📞 01245 944321

The Hive Community Café – Basildon
A warm, welcoming space to relax, chat, and connect with others.

🗓 Every Wednesday
⏰ 9:30am – 12:00pm
📍 The Hive Community Café

The Hive Gardening Club – Basildon

Wednesdays | 10 AM–12 PM
Weeding, soil rotation, painting, building veg patches & more!
📍 6 Honeypot Lane, Basildon SS14 2JZ

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Women’s Cycle Ride 

Beginner-friendly cycle around Gloucester Park, followed by refreshments and a chat.

🕥 10:30am – 12:00pm
📍 Basildon Sporting Village, SS14 3GR

• Open to all women
• Safe and supportive environment
• Learn local routes & build confidence

Need a bike? Limited bikes available to borrow.
📧 [email protected]
📞 07749 491638

Seated Yoga – Basildon Library

An hour of gentle chair-based exercise at seated yoga class. The friendly classes are suitable for adults of all ages and abilities

13.30am - 14:30am | Basildon Library, town centre | No booking required - find out more here

Social Community Football – Friendly Men’s Games (Woodlands school)

⚽ 7:00 PM
Keep fit, meet mates & enjoy friendly competitive football.
📍 Basildon Sporting Village
£7 per player
📲 WhatsApp: 07723 615546
🔗 Join online: https://footyaddicts.com/football-venues/289-basildon-sporting-village-essex-basildon

Ladies Netball – Social League
🏐 7–10pm
Fun, friendly and open to all abilities.
📍 St Clere’s School
🔗 Basildon Wednesday - Play Netball

Essex Pedal Power Basildon — bike building, content creation & more 🔗 orlo.uk/AreZU | 📧 [email protected] 
Billericay Food Bank — volunteer baker needed 🔗 orlo.uk/SA38t
Gold Geese Charity — sports events & fundraiser volunteers 📧 [email protected] 
Human Kind Café — front of house & story time assistants 📧 [email protected] 
Healthwatch Essex — various volunteer roles available 🔗 orlo.uk/QyERY
Wickford in Bloom — floral volunteering 📧 [email protected] 
Wickford & District Talking Newspaper — editor volunteers needed 🔗 orlo.uk/qQb70 | 📧 [email protected] 
Search all opportunities: orlo.uk/PZNnBFree Online Courses – Essex Libraries

Access LinkedIn Learning, language courses, Driving Theory, Life in the UK and more. All FREE with your library card. 🔗 https://libraries.essex.gov.uk.

Thursday

Wellness Café – Langdon Hills
Free weekly wellbeing support including weigh-ins, social prescribing, seated exercise, and refreshments.
📅 Every Thursday
⏰ 9:30am–2pm
📍 Langdon Hills Methodist Church, Emmanuel Road, SS16 6EX
📞 01268 962404

Wellness Café – Free Weekly Support
The Wellness Café at Langdon Hills Methodist Church runs every Thursday, offering free weigh-ins, digital support, social prescribing, seated exercise and refreshments. 📍 Every Thursday | ⏰ 9:30am–2pm

Sewing Group
🧵 10am–12pm
Learn knitting, crochet or sewing. £4
📍 The Pavilion, Great Berry
📞 Ann: 07802 161021

Friday

Men’d Model Making – Happy Hub
12pm. Enjoy a relaxed creative atmosphere with good company.
📍 Unit 11, Eastgate SS14 1AE

Knit, Natter & New Friends – Happy Chatters
10:30 to 11:30am. Bring your yarn & join the fun.
📍 Happy Hub, Eastgate (by Asda)

Yoga for Mental Health – FREE
🧘 11:15am
📍 King Edward Centre, Laindon SS15 6GY
✉️ [email protected]

Where to make friends this week - young people

Pokémon Mondays

Learn to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
📍 Mother's Kitchen, 6 Felmores End, Pitsea, SS13 1PN

🕓 Under 16s: 4–6pm
🕡 All Ages: 6:30–8:30pm
💷 £6 (decks supplied)

🌐 www.dungeonsandjoypads.com

Wednesday

Langdon Nature Tots

Weekly outdoor nature sessions for children 18 months–5 years.
📅 Wednesdays, 10am
📍 Langdon Nature Discovery Park, Basildon
✔️ Forest School-inspired activities
✔️ Free parking
✔️ Café & toilets

Discounts available for siblings and eligible Universal Credit families.

Baby & Toddler Rhyme Time – Basildon Library

Songs, stories and rhymes for babies and toddlers.

10am - 10:30am | Basildon Library, town centre | No booking required - find out more here

SEND sensory stay and play – Basildon Library

Come and enjoy our safe SEND area, meet other parents and make friends!

15:30 - 16:30am | Basildon Library, town centre | No booking required - find out more here

Rhythm Time – Babies & Toddlers

🎵 Music • Movement • Instruments • Bonding
Confidence-building sensory play for babies & toddlers in a calm, friendly setting.
📍 Meadow Croft Garden Centre
🍼 Wednesdays
Limited spaces… Message Zoe on 07778213315

FREE Kids Chess Trial Classes

• 🕓 4:30pm

• 📍 George Hurd Activity Centre, Audley Way, SS14 2FL

• Perfect for beginners wanting to learn strategy & make new friends!

FREE Fun & Teatime at Briscoe

• 🕓 4:30–5:30pm

• 📍 Briscoe Primary School, Felmores End, SS13 1PN

• Football, crafts, board games & a warm snack. Families welcome! 📞 Kelly: 07701 365822

Thursday

Leapsprogs for Toddlers (18 months–5 yrs)

• 🕥 10:30–11:30am

• 📍 Langdon Hills Methodist Church, SS16 6EX

• Fun, active sessions for early learners

Free Yoga for Children. Ages 6 - 12

• 🕓 4 to 4:45pm

• 📍 Northlands Park Family Centre

• FREE 🔗 Book: https://www.yoga4all.co

Buzz & Bloom – Parent & Toddler Group 

Warm, friendly stay-and-play group.

🕤 9:30am – 11:00am
📍 The Hive, 6 Honeypot Lane, Basildon SS14 2JZ

Fun, play and connection for parents and toddlers.

Sports & Activities at James Hornsby (Ages 12–24)

• 🕔 5–7pm Football, basketball, archery, cricket, dance & fitness + snacks.

• 📞 Jay: 07794 329833

Messy Madness at Monkey Madness

• Messy play & crafts… without the clean-up!

• 💷 £7 per session (soft play included)

• £40 per term 📞 01268 288211 to book

Junior Badminton 🏸

Sports School Badminton Course. Ages 7–11

🕓 4:45pm – 5:45pm
📍 Basildon Sporting Village
Book via everyoneactive website

Friday

The Barnhall Under 5’s Club

Stay-and-play toddler group.

🕤 9:30am – 11:00am
📍 Barnhall Social Club, Wickford SS11 7JP
🎟️ £2.50 per child | Under 1s £1

Runs term time only. Fully insured & DBS checked.

Well Youth Club – Wickford 

Supportive weekly youth community.

🕕 6pm – 8pm
📍 Downtowner Centre, Wickford
👥 Ages 11–18
🎟️ £6 per person

📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.motivated-minds.co.uk

King Edward Teen Teatime Club

A welcoming space for teens to relax, socialise and have fun.

🕔 5pm – 7pm
📍 King Edward Community Centre, Laindon SS15 6GY

Activities include:
• Multi-sports
• Crafts
• Dance & karaoke
• Snacks provided

Completely FREE

📞 07701 365822
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.atfcommunity.com

FreeStreet Cricket at James Hornsby

FreeStreet Cricket sessions for young people aged 8–16.

🕔 5pm – 6pm
📍 James Hornsby School

Delivered by qualified ATF coaches in partnership with Essex Cricket in the Community, providing a safe, inclusive and fun experience.

✨ Completely FREE
✨ All abilities welcome

🔗 Register here:
https://chancetoshine.my.site.com/s/street-registration-form?language=en_GB&qrc=0018e00000IcqWOAAZ

That’s all folks! Enjoy your week ahead!