Our Guide to Clubs and Activities from Bishop's Stortford to Braintree and Surrounding Areas

Essex Dementia Care

Essex Dementia Care offers social group activities designed to support different stages of the dementia journey. Activities include cooking, arts and crafts and games. Each class costs £47

These are held on:

Every Day Counts Groups (for those with early onset dementia) - 11:00am - 4:00pm every Wednesday and Thursday.

Oasis Activity Groups (for those whose dementia has progressed further) - 11:00am - 3:30pm every Monday.

These are held at Bradwell Village Hall, Braintree, CM77 8EP.

To book the first free taster session, call 01245 368789 or visit www.essexdementiacare.org.uk 

Singing For The Brain

Join a Singing for the Brain group in Takeley

Join the group for fun vocal warm-ups and singing a wide variety of familiar and new songs. The group is hosted by friendly and experienced group leaders.

For further information call: 07749 455638 (Office opening times:
Monday, 9am–8pm; Tuesday, 9am–8pm; Wednesday, 9am–8pm; Thursday, 9am–5pm; Friday, 9am–5pm; Saturday, 10am–4pm; Sunday, 10am–4pm)

The venue is: Priors Green Community Hall, Bennet Canfield, Little Canfield, Dunmow CM6 1YE

Email: [email protected]

Website: Click Here

Dunmow Dementia Cafe

The Dunmow Dementia Cafe was launched by UCAN (Uttlesford Community Action Network) and has gone from strength-to-strength over the years. It is a thriving group. 

The Dunmow Dementia Cafe offers:

• Tea, coffee and a chat
• Peer support
• Guest speakers
• Reminiscence opportunities

It is held on:

Every Monday at 10:30am - 12:00pm at Dunmow Day Centre, CM6 1EQ.

To find out more call 01371 878400

All Sorts Dementia Group

All Sorts Dementia Group offer fun and relaxed groups for people with mild to moderate dementia.

The group costs £40 a day and includes hot drinks, biscuits, a hot meal and pudding.

These are held on:

Every Monday and Thursday - 10:00am - 2:30pm at Sawbridgeworth Cricket Club, CM21 9HJ

For more information, call 01279 498938 or email [email protected] 

Action for Family Carers

Action for Family Carers runs Active Minds groups for people with dementia and other memory problems. Activities include: 

• Musical Bingo
• Puzzles
• Quizzes

These are held: Every Monday - 1:00pm - 3:30pm at the Dourdan Pavilion, Dunmow, CM6 2AA. Each session costs £20

To find out more, either call Jemma at 03007 708090 or email [email protected] 

Forget Me Not Dementia Cafe

The Forget Me Not Dementia Cafe is a free support group that offers information, companionship, and advice over a cup of tea. 

It is held on:

Every Wednesday between 10:00am - 12:00pm at Fairycrost House, Saffron Walden, CB11 3HD

Guests are welcome to turn up on the day.

Alternatively, call 01799 510525 or email [email protected] to find out more.

MCST

Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) are sessions run for people with mild to moderate dementia.  

These are held on:

Wednesdays 1:30pm - 3:00pm

At:

The New Apton Day Centre at 22a Apton Road, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 2SN.

To learn more about this service and to book please email [email protected] or call Debbie on 07904 198309

CST Online

Individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) sessions are available.

These sessions are held online via zoom. They are suitable for people living with mild to moderate dementia.

For more information, please call Debbie on 07904 198309.

Visit their website for more information

Music Therapy

Together in Sound music therapy groups aim to bring the power of music to those living with dementia.

If you would like to find out more please get in touch:

By phone: 01799 588545

By email: [email protected]

Visit their website

Move It or Lose It!

Move It or Lose It classes have been developed to improve your flexibility, aerobic health, balance, and strength for greater independence. 

These are held at three different locations:

• Every Thursday - 10:30am - 11:30am at Stebbing Village Hall, CM6 3SL
• Every Wednesday - 12:00pm - 1:00pm at The Granary Studio, Great Dunmow, CM6 1AX
• Every Thursday between 1:00pm - 2:00pm at Thaxted Church Hall, CM6 2QN

Tickets cost £5 for each class. For more information call 07889 849925 or contact Laura at [email protected] 

The Hailey Centre

Chair based fitness fun hour provides the opportunity to make new friends, enjoy some laughs all whilst improving your all-round fitness and mobility levels.

The exercises are designed to suit all abilities.

It is held on:

Every Tuesday from 10:30am - 11:30am at the Hailey Centre, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 9AN

Tickets cost £4.

For more information, guests are welcome to pop into the Hailey Centre for a newsletter, call 01279 721221 or email [email protected]

Forever Cycling

Forever Cycling provides people over 50 with a virtual cycling experience.

Using technology, guests will watch a recording trip around iconic locations, whilst pedalling at your own pace with a set of exercise pedals at your feet.

It is held on:

Every Tuesday - 1:00pm to 2:00pm at the Havers Community Centre, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 3GR

To book, please contact Katie at [email protected] 

Everyone Active Senior Swimming

Everyone Active offers senior swimming lessons for those over the age of 50.

These are lane-swimming sessions, so you can take your time in the lanes, use them as a social opportunity, as well as keep active and fit.

It is held on:

Every Tuesday between 9:00am - 10:00am, at Grange Paddocks, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 2HH. Sessions cost £2.65.

For more information, call 01279 652332.

Alternatively, you can click here to book online under 'Timetables and Prices'.

Or click here to visit their website.

Nuffield Health Over 50s Health and Fitness Classes

Nuffield Health in Bishop's Stortford offers fitness and wellbeing classes for over 50s regardless of fitness levels.

The over 50s classes timetable runs:

• Every Wednesday at 06:45am - Octagon Circuits. This is an all over workout.
• Every Thursday at 10:15am - Aqua Yoga. This is a low impact water-based class.
• Every Friday at 12:35pm - Zumba Gold. A low impact, dance-based class for the active older person.

Each class costs £5. Bookings can be made at the reception desk up to 8 days in advance. Or for any other enquires, call 01279 883875

To visit their website click here.

Easy Seated Exercise

Easy seated exercise is set to music. It is for people in the community aged over 65, or for anyone wanting to try a gentle form of exercise.

Strength and balance groups like this one help with increased mobility issues and help ensure day-to-day tasks can still be completed.

The seesions are in Bishop's Stortford for the Thorley U3A and Hatfield Heath for everyone: 

Havers Community Centre, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 3GR

10:30am - 11:30am on Thursdays, £5. 

Hatfield Heath Village Hall, CM22 7EA

11:00am - 12:00pm on Fridays, just £4 including refreshments.

Call 07904 198309 to book (for both).

Braintree Bowling Club and Book Club

Braintree Bowling Club welcomes everyone, no matter age or experience. 

To get started, email [email protected] or contact one of the committee members using their website. 

The club also offers social events, such as quiz nights, and a book club starting on the 9th of January. 

This will be held on the second Tuesday of every month between 10:30 am to 12:00pm 

For more information about the book club, email Valeria at: [email protected] 

Find the club at: Braintree Bowling Club, 29/31 Clare Road, Braintree, CM7 2PA 

The Hailey Centre

The Hailey Centre is a meeting place for people aged over 55. They offer a range of activities from lunch clubs, tea mornings and bingo. 

These are held on:

• Lunch Club - Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 12:00pm. Tickets cost £6. Guests enjoy a home cooked two course meal with teas and coffees.
• Tea Mornings - Every Monday and Friday morning from 9:30am - 11:00am. £1 for a cup of tea or coffee.
• Bingo - Every Friday between 2:00pm - 4:00pm. Tickets cost up to £5

To book, pop into the Hailey Centre, Sawbridgeworth, CM21 9AN. Call 01279 721221, or email [email protected] 

ECL Braintree Day Centre

ECL Braintree Day Centre provides care for older people in a friendly and safe environment, with a focus on building confidence for independent living. 

Guests can expect a range of activities including:

• Arts and crafts 
• Baking and cooking
• Gardening
• Board games

To see the full range of activities, visit: https://www.ecl.org/braintree-op 

Each guest will have a tailored plan suited to them. Prices are based on the level of support you need. For more information, contact 03301 35438. Find Braintree Day Centre at: Turnpike Place, Braintree, CM7 9GB

Saffron Walden Day Club

Saffron Walden Day Club run a Saffron Club, which is their day centre, welcomes people from the community to spend time enjoying the company of others. 

They have the opportunity to: 

• Enjoy home-made hot meals, afternoon tea and cakes. 
• Join in a variety of activities 
• Access a range of facilities and therapies

Classes run Monday to Friday: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm at Stanley Wilson Lodge Care Home and Day Centre, Four Acres, Saffron Walden, CB11 3JE. Each session costs £50. 

For more information, call Debbie on: 01799 506036

Visit their website to learn more information 

The Welbeloved Club

The Welbeloved Club offers a monthly Sunday lunch for people aged 65+ experiencing loneliness and social isolation.

It is held on:

Usually, the first Sunday of the month, however this can differ. To access the calendar, visit their website here. Arrival is at 12:00pm, and lunch is served at 12:30pm. Each guest will be charged £10 for a two-course lunch with unlimited refreshments.

For more information, contact 07873 546001 and find the Welbeloved Club at Sawbridgeworth Memorial Hall, The Forebury, CM21 9BD

Visit their website for more information

Much Hadham Bowling Club

Much Hadham Bowling Club offers memberships for both bowling and social purposes.

Membership rates are as follows:

• New bowlers' memberships - £50
• Adult bowling membership - £100
• Social membership - £15

The club is open seven days a week from mid-April to the end of September. Outside of this period, there are other activities such as Sunday lunches, quizzes and fundraising activities. 

For bowling, guests are welcome to come along on Wednesday's from 6:00pm at the Much Hadham Bowling Club, Puckeridge, SG11 1FA 

However, for more information about the club please contact the secretary, John Perryman at [email protected] 

New Apton Day Centre

The New Apton Day Centre: Age Concern Bishop's Stortford has a mission to promote health and wellbeing to help make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.

They are open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00am - 2:30pm. Day service is £30 and includes a full day of activities including:

• Bingo
• Quizzes
• Games
• Chair-based Exercise
• Mental and Physical Stimulation

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and cake are provided, as well as transportation which starts from £6 to and from the attendee's house.

For a full list of activities, see: https://www.thenewaptoncentre.org/what-s-on 

For more information, including booking a free trail day, contact 01279 504748.

Find the New Apton Day Centre at 22a Apton Road, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 2SN

Millard Care Home Day Centre

The Millard Care Home offers a friendly day care service that allows the elderly to socialise, relax and enjoy a wide variety of activities, whilst being safeguarded by carers. 

These activities include:

• Bingo
• Quizzes
• Manicuring
• Newspaper reading
• Film shows
• Board Games
• Knitting

Classes run Monday to Friday - 9:30am - 3:30pm at Millard House, 364 Church Street, Braintree, CM7 5LL

Sessions cost £65 and include lunch and snacks.

For more information, either call 01376 325002 or email [email protected]

Visit their website: https://www.millardcarehome.co.uk/day-centre/ 

Bishop's Stortford Bowling Club

The Bishop's Stortford Bowling Club is a thriving club that welcomes all players from complete beginners to highly competitive individuals. During the winter months, they run a great social programme. 

Membership rates are as follows: 

• Full Playing Member - £105 per year and entitles you to play on both Grass and Artificial Green as well as join in on all social events.
• Enhanced social member: £55 per year and entitles you to play on Artificial Green as well as join in on all social events. 
• Social Member: £30 per year and entitles you to join in on all social events. 

For all membership enquiries, contact the club secretary, Rick at [email protected] 

Alternatively, you can visit their website to learn more

Find the Bishop's Stortford Bowling Club at: Bowling Lane, Bishop's Stortford, CM23 SFE