Poem

So is everybody ready for this festive time, that is fast on its way? Have you all managed to silence the worried voices in your head, that are associated with this day? In a time of such monetary worry, when cost just only seems to rise, Can we all still give so much to others, while hiding the terror in our eyes. We all know we should be frugal, as this time of year is always tight, Thou this year is especially difficult, with energy and living costs fast racing out of sight.

Still its Christmas and giving is what we all like to do, Whether its to family or friends, or helping the many in need that so often count on you.

Sadly we have personally experienced great loss, like so many others have done this year, Leaving the thought of a celebration, something that doesn't give the usual excitement or the feeling of cheer.

Although I know our lost loved ones would urge us to still be happy and enjoy all that we’ve got, With the simple cost of living in the back of my mind, even that is asking a lot.

But hey its Christmas, the one time when its love and joy to all, As the simple act of smiling causes a warm feeling that’s so very hard to stall.

So happy Christmas to you all, may this year bring you love and memories to last, May all the burdens that weigh you down, be lost in an enjoyment that’s needed and vast.

Source: Andy—resident poet. With mixed emotions at this time of year.

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In last month’s North Weald Village Life we summarised the range of services we can offer to everyone who lives, works, or studies in this area. We can’t do everything, so sometimes when people come to us we refer them on to more specialist services which seem to us to meet their needs. As far as possible we try to refer people only to services which are, like us, free to use. Some are nationwide services, others are local. You can access many of these directly, so this article is mainly about those services. If you’re struggling with your mental health your first port of call is invariably the GP. We all know how overstretched GP services are but you can access free NHS talking therapies without referral from your GP. The service in this area is provided by VitaMinds. Their website is: https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/nhs-services/nhs-mental-health/west-essex/ . You can also phone them on 0333 015 2966. Voluntary Action Epping Forest provide a wide variety of services, notably for people who have learning disabilities, or who are housebound. For instance, at Citizens Advice our biggest area of work is advice and representation on benefits, but we don’t have the resources to do home visits. VAEF fills that gap. They can visit housebound residents to give advice and help fill in forms. They also provide gardening and handyman services. You can contact them via their website – https://vaef.org.uk/ - or phone 01992 910701. Sometimes people find themselves in such a crisis situation that they have run out of food and money and they have to tun to foodbanks. In this area there are two foodbanks, which operate in different ways. The Epping Forest Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks funded by The Trussell Trust. They deliver emergency food parcels to people in need. You have to be referred to get the service, either by us or by a health professional such as a health visitor. The other service is 3Food4U. They do not require a referral: you can just turn up. Unfortunately, the nearest location to North Weald is the Zinc Arts Centre in Ongar. It is open from 1.00pm to 2.30pm on Thursdays. If you’re not sure which organisation might be able to meet your needs an excellent place to start is the website for Epping Forest Frontline - https://eppingforest.essexfrontline.org.uk/ . This was designed by our colleagues at Uttlesford Citizens Advice and is funded by the NHS and the County Council. It lists all the voluntary and other organisations in the area and describes what they do. You can search by subject-matter, such as “disability”, “older people” or “mental health”. There will be contact details for each organisation and you can request a callback from many of them. Just a reminder about how to contact us at Epping Forest Citizens Advice. The best way is by phone. The number, which is free, is 0808 278 7855. We have advisers on hand to answer between 9.30 and 2.30, Tuesday to Thursday. We are very busy at the moment so if you can’t get through at first try again. We also have an adviser at the Hub at the Civic Offices in Epping every Thursday between 10.00 and 2.00 if you want to talk to someone face-to-face. If you just want information you can try our national website: https:// www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ Source: Paul Stockton Editor’s Comment:- This is the last contribution from Paul at Citizens Advice. I would like to thank you so much for your wonderful help and advice over the years.