Emmaus Colchester was set up in 1999 by a team of trustees and volunteers who wanted to create an Emmaus community in the town.

Colchester is one of 29 communities spread across the UK, providing a home and support for more than 800 people who are known as companions. The movement continues to grow, with a further five groups working to establish new communities.

With your support we are able to make a real difference to people’s lives.

Brief Description: We provide furniture and other household effects, free of charge, to disadvantaged families and individuals who would not otherwise be able to afford these items.
Opening Times: 9.00 – 17.00 Mon – Fri (by appointment)
Areas Covered: Colchester district
Activities: Colchester Furniture Project is a registered charity. Their work consists of the provision of furniture and other household effects, free of charge, to disadvantaged families and individuals who would not otherwise be able to afford these items. People needing help must be referred by an organisation which is working with them and is aware of their circumstances. They do NOT accept self-referrals

Community Voluntary Services Tendring has been in existence for nearly 50 years.

Our mission is ‘leading and supporting voluntary action in Tendring’ and our core functions are to support, promote and develop the community and voluntary sector and to encourage liaison and connections between organisations, agencies and businesses.

CVST represents the sector providing a broad overview of needs and giving a neutral and objective viewpoint ensuring the sector has a voice and thereby is assisted toward sustainability.  To support other voluntary sector representatives to have their say. To act as a strategic partner with local councils, funders, health providers and government in order to influence policy, plans and strategy.

To contribute and facilitate consultations, to advocate and challenge the design and provision of local services. We do this by participating in a range of strategic boards and committees including but not limited to the Tendring Health and Wellbeing Board, the Essex Compact Steering Group, the Older People’s Forum, the Voluntary Sector Forum, the Essex Voluntary Sector Alliance, Essex CVS, North East Essex Health and Wellbeing Alliance, Alliance System Resilience Group, Suffolk and North East Essex (SNEE) Integrated Care System (ICS), SNEE ICS Cancer Board, SNEE ICE Suicide Prevention Board, SNEE VCSE, Social Prescribing Partnership, Essex Carers Partnership and various multi-agency partnerships.

Because of its unique position in the community, CVST works closely and collaborates with partners and stakeholders from all sectors to identify and share knowledge of unmet local need and help to set up new initiatives in order to meet gaps in services or help develop and extend services with existing providers.

CVST promotes the work of the voluntary sector through one to one contacts from its multi-skilled staff and volunteer team with extensive knowledge and experience of the local sector and services, meetings, in the e-bulletin, website, social media and through our exhibitions, conference and activities.

CVST brings together communities in liaison in a range of ways including hosting regular network breakfasts, coffee drop-ins, exhibitions, cafés, focus groups or organising fundraising events such as the ever popular Annual Victorian Christmas Market.

Through our Community Information Centre in central Clacton and our Dovercourt & Harwich Hub, we offer a social prescribing service, funding advice, information and guidance, training days, regular newsletters packed with charity information, beach hut hire, training, volunteer opportunities and a range of accessible meeting rooms and equipment available to hire at reasonable rates to local groups.