Epping Forest’s largest emergency food agency has teamed up with a range of partners to support people in the community and at work with a range of health, wellbeing and day-to-day needs.

The Essex Wellbeing Service, working with 3Food4U and funded by Essex County Council, will help people in a host of areas including support with stop smoking, social isolation, improving their sleep and children’s weight management.

Help will also be available for mental health issues, support with independent living, reducing alcohol consumption and free NHS health and/or wellbeing checks.

3Food4U’s chair of trustees Pesh Kapasiawala said: “We are not here to judge or to tick boxes. We’re here to help you live a happy and healthy life.

“We’ll work with you to discover what your needs are by focussing on three questions: What are you able to change within your situation? What are your barriers and how can you work around them? How can you stay motivated to maintain the change?

Epping Forest Guardian:

“These questions will help you to sustain any lifestyle changes that are necessary for improving your mental and/or physical health.

“To get started, contact us. You don't need to be a 3Food4U service user, it's open to anyone. As with all our services there's no referral or assessment required to qualify.”

3Food4U is offering free groceries, clothes and essentials without assessment or referral to anyone that needs it, but the charity does urgently need long-life food donations.

These can be dropped of at any of the community surplus hubs, Balgores Estate Agents in Loughton and Ongar or call 01992 842642 to arrange a collection.

It’s hubs are open as follows:

  • Monday: Waltham Abbey – 13 Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Tuesday: Loughton – Loughton Club, 8 Station Road - 11.30am to 1pm
  • Wednesday: Chigwell Row – All Saints Church Hall, Romford Road - 5pm to 6.30pm
  • Thursday: Ongar – Zinc Arts Centre, High Street - 1pm to 2.30pm
  • Friday: Waltham Abbey – 13, Sun Street - 11.30am to 1pm

For further details, visit 3food4u.org, email info.3food4u@gmail.com or call 01992 842642.