If you have more time for leisure activities or are looking for a new interest or hobby in your spare time, this page will give you a number of ideas and point you to further sources of information.
Here are a few examples taken from the Help the Aged leisure ideas advice
leaflet
and the Be Smart Be Safe keeping healthy and active
factsheet:
> Cinema and Theatre
>
Day trips and holidays
> Learning opportunities such as courses offered by Adult community learning, Open University, U3A and WEA
> Local and family history
> Lunch and social clubs
> Physical and mental benefits of exercise and sport, including suggestions for
exercise
> Meeting new people and relationships
> Museums and galleries
> Pets
> Volunteering
>
Working in retirement
> New technologies such as digital TV, computers and the internet
The Essex Community Directory
This is an easy to read guide as to what is available in your local area and across Essex. It contains information on clubs and groups, faith and culture and places to visit. All the information includes details about access for people who are disabled. It is produced in an easy read format using pictures, symbols and text which makes this an ideal resource for people with learning disabilities.The Directory is intended to help you to get the most out of your local community, so as to improve your quality of life as a resident of Essex.
Tourism and travel
Visit Essex
This website provides information of what to do, where to stay and what to eat in Essex It also allows users to search for establishments that are accessible to the disabled.
Holidays
Help the Aged holidays leaflet
This includes information on disabled and single travellers, holiday insurance, medical treatment abroad, pensions and other benefits, travel concessions, and taking your pet abroad.
Age Concern planning a holiday leaflet
This gives sources of help on organising a holiday to suit your particular needs, including long stay holidays.
Volunteering and voluntary organisations
Volunteers can do almost anything! From helping an elderly neighbour with their shopping, to providing legal advice for a local charity, volunteers make a vital contribution to all aspects of community life.
Volunteering England
This is the national volunteering development agency for England, committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering in all it's diversity.
RSVP
The retired and senior volunteer programme, is a free standing programme within CSV, which encourages the growing number of those aged 50+ to volunteer in their local area.
Essexlife
Here you can find out about voluntary organisations in Essex.
Time Bank @ Volunteer Centre Colchester
This can help you turn your interests and passions into action through volunteering when you want to and it costs nothing to join. Find information about volunteering opportunities that fit your interests, lifestyle and availability and get answers to all of your questions about volunteering.
Colchester Community Voluntary Services Transport Scheme
This is a charitable organisation whose aim is to promote and support the effectiveness of voluntary and community groups, services and activities, seeking to achieve this by providing assistance both to organisations and to members of the public. They also run the Colchester Transport and Shopmobility project that enables people with mobility problems to travel to appointments, visit friends, socialise and go to the town centre.
Chelmsford Council for Voluntary Service
This is the umbrella organisation which supports and represents the interests of voluntary organisations, community groups and charities. Our aim is to support, promote, develop and enable Chelmsford's voluntary sector in providing effective services to meet the needs of local people.
