Social Enterprises in Essex

Easy Read Version

Our Social Enterprises offer an opportunity for adults with a learning disability in Essex to gain work experience, skills and qualifications within a real business environment.

We offer all types of opportunities for training, from catering, hospitality and horticulture to painting, woodcraft and packaging.

The vocational work-based training enables adults with learning disabilities to gain skills and confidence and enhance their opportunities for employment in the Essex community in the future.

The social enterprises also offer high quality, excellent value products and services on sale to the general public including conference facilities, cafes, garden centre goods, printing and copying. All income generated by the Social Enterprises is reinvested into the business, improving the opportunities available there.

Please view our video to find out more about training for employment.

Click on the names in the list below to find out more about the products and services for sale at each of our social enterprises, as well as the training opportunities available at each.

Allsorts – Chelmsford
Training in Sign Making, Canvas Printing, IT, Crafts and Recycling
Shredding and Recycling Services, Canvas and Photo Prints, Sign Making, Handcraft Pots, Chalk Boards and Books for Sale

Barley Twist - Basildon
Training in Catering, Hospitality, Conferencing and Horticulture
Gardening Services and Conference Catering for sale

Book Rest Café - Basildon
Training in Customer Service, Till Usage, Waiting Tables and Stock Management
Cafe Facilities open to the public in the Library

Book Rest Café - Brentwood
Training in Customer Service, Till Usage, Waiting Tables, Taking Order and Stock Management
Cafe Facilities open to the public in the Library

Book Rest Café - Clacton
Training in Customer Service, Till Usage, Waiting Tables, Taking Order and Stock Management
Cafe Facilities open to the public in the Library

Book Rest Café - Colchester
Training in Customer Service, Till Usage, Waiting Tables, Taking Order and Stock Management
Cafe Facilities open to the public in the Library

Café Goodman - Harlow
Training in Catering, Customer Service, Till Usage, Waiting Tables, Taking Order, Stock Management and Conferenceing
Cafe open to the public as well as conference and external catering for sale

Copy Cats – Saffron Walden
Training in Printing and Publishing
Printing and Design services for sale to the public

Copy Cats 2 - Brentwood
Training in Printing and Publishing
Printing and Design services for sale to the public

Greenacres Conference Centre - Chelmsford
Training in Horticulture and Lanscaping, Catering and Hospitality and Administration
Conference Facilities available to hire, Catering and Plants for sale

Noah’s Café – Saffron Walden
Training in Catering
Buffets and Specialitiy Cakes for sale to the public

Oakwood Packaging – Clacton-on-Sea
Training in Contract Packaging
Packaging Services for sale to the public

Oakwood Plough Corner – Clacton-on-Sea
Training in Horticulture, Catering and Administration
Garden Centre and Cafe open to the public

Red House - Colchester
Training in Horticulture, Catering, Administration, Animal Care and Crafts
Conference Facilities availabe to hire, Fresh Produce and Hand Made Crafts for sale

Roundwood Garden Centre and Café - Braintree
Training in Horticulture, Catering and Administration
Conference Facilities available to hire, Garden Centre and Cafe open to the public

Shire Hill Enterprises – Saffron Walden
Training in Woodwork
Wooden Garden item and Kindling for sale

Strawberry Fields - Braintree
Training in Catering
Cafe open to the public

Treetops - Colchester
Training in Catering
Conference Facilities for hire, Cafe open to the public, Speciality Cakes for sale

To find out more information about our Social Enterprises in your area, please use the service locator below.