Basildon Community Resource Centre for low income families

Basic needs as well as advice from the Basildon Community Resource Centre can help the homeless and low income. The charity provides assistance to Billericay, Laindon, Basildon and Wickford in Essex County, and the aim of the organisation is to provide support to those at risk and the vulnerable.

Many people dropping in at the centre are unwaged, elderly or retired, on low incomes, or in poverty. Many of the services, such as a food parcel or clothing, are passed out one time only to people with a referral. So there are restrictions in place and eligibility criteria that need to be met.

The main services are listed below, but if something is not provided by the agency, they will will refer an individual to other local scheme or government benefit.

Free advice is provided by social workers and volunteers. This can include support in applying for benefits or other entitlements such as welfare. Another focus is on housing in Essex, and the centre will partner with the homeless and vulnerable on locating affordable rental housing and deposit schemes that a prospective tenant can apply too. They also provide advice on housing problems, such as assistance in applying for and completing the forms for a discretionary housing payment from the Essex Council.

Food is available for people with a referrals, on a one-off basis only. There is aid from both from a Café that is open from 10.00am to 2.00pm daily as well as a food bank. Clients can be given a voucher with groceries and other items, and the homeless can receive a hot lunch or drink from the cafe.

Anyone seeking a meal or assistance will need to have a referrals, as they are required for a food parcel. This form of assistance is only one time only, and the charity is not a traditional food bank that some people may be accustomed too.

Basildon Community Resource Centre also operates a clothing and toiletry scheme. The low income can be given items on a one off basis, and this support is only for people with a referral from a church, philanthropic organisation, or maybe a school.

For people that are going on an interview, there may be clothes loaned out. This is done as one aim is to help unwaged clients gain and maximize their income. So staff provide them basic needs and advice on the process.

Landlords are also supported. The Community Resource Centre is looking for property owners who will accept a bond as a guarantee for a deposit, and they are also seeking landlord who will let and accept the housing benefit as a rent payment. The centre will work with both landlords and tenants to ensure evictions don’t occur, so this service can help the landlord maximise the income from their property. Call 01268 450040/1.

If additional support is needed, or if the centre can’t provide the assistance, then signposting is available. The charity has information on other agencies in Essex that can help the disadvantaged, and this ranges from council programmes to food banks or rent deposit help and other schemes.

The centre relies on donations and volunteers. They will accept non-perishable goods as well as gently used clothing or toiletries. All of the items will be given to the vulnerable in the area.

Whether seeking help or wanting to donate to the charity, the Basildon Community Resource Centre has an address of 1 The Gore, Basildon, SS14 2EA, telephone 01268 450041.