Urgent Appeal to Save Lifeline Support Group in Epping Forest District
Posted on: May 11, 2026
The Essex Alliance is sharing this news on behalf of Home-Start Essex.
Families with young children across the Epping Forest District are at risk of losing a vital, free support service unless urgent funding is secured. Home-Start Essex is calling on individuals, businesses and the wider community to rally behind its Family Support Group in Waltham Abbey, a weekly lifeline for families with children under give facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
Without immediate financial support, this essential service which supports 20 vulnerable families each year faces closure.
“This group is more than just a weekly meeting; it’s a safe haven. For many parents, it’s the only place they feel heard, supported and connected.” – Nic O’Brien, CEO of Home-Start Essex.
The Family Support Group provides a welcoming, nurturing space for families dealing with issues such as:
- Financial hardship and poverty
- Isolation and loneliness
- Poor mental health
- Bereavement
- Housing insecurity
- Domestic abuse
One parent shared: “The family group was the first time I had properly talked to a group of adults since leaving the refuge nearly a year ago. It was good to listen to other people’s views, to open up about my anxiety and share tips”.
An urgent crowdfunding appeal launches on 14th May, with all donations matched pound-for-pound by the Aviva Foundation until 24th June 2026, doubling the impact for families in crisis. This means that:
- A £30 donation becomes £60
- A £250 donation becomes £500
- Every pound donated up to £250 will be doubled, but only until Wednesday 24th June 2026.
- All funds raised will directly sustain the group.
Help keep this essential service alive and ensure families in Epping Forest District continue to receive the support they desperately need. Donate online here:
https://communitiesfund.avivafoundation.org.uk/p/hse
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