Starting in June 2026, Tiptoe Creatives will be running monthly journaling groups at SUMMIT House. Led by Laura May, a writer from Clacton-on-Sea, the sessions support people to try different journaling techniques and explore themes such as mindfulness and self-expression.

As part of funding received from the Active Essex Foundation, SUMMIT are launching a series of Tai Chi-inspired wellbeing classes for young adults aged 17–25 in Colchester. These sessions are designed to help reduce stress, restore balance, and create a sense of calm and clarity in today’s fast-paced world.

Are you passionate about supporting others and making a real difference? Do you have lived experience of mental ill health and a desire to use this to empower others? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

As part of SUMMIT’s 50th anniversary celebrations, we are launching a new project called The Neurodivergent Truth. This large-scale, collaborative lived-experience initiative explores what it is really like to be neurodivergent in Essex today. The positives, the challenges, and everything in between. If you live in Essex, or have lived there previously, and identify as neurodivergent, we would love to hear from you.

Peer support workers help people in Colchester and Tendring stay connected to mental health care services and avoid crises.

2026 marks the golden anniversary of SUMMIT, celebrating 50 years of supporting people across Essex.

Tom has worked at SUMMIT since 2011, starting as a Bridge Builder before moving into formal advocacy and qualifying in 2016. A qualified football coach, he has also contributed to the Sports for All project and has been a key member of the Autism Navigation Service since 2014. As part of Inside SUMMIT, we spoke with Tom about his experiences and reflections after more than 12 years of working on the service.

Many GP surgeries in Tendring have now switched to using online booking systems for patients to make appointments. We would like to hear how this change has affected you.

Today SUMMIT proudly launched the Coastal Lives Foundation, a new fund dedicated to supporting local charities in delivering targeted services to benefit coastal communities across Tendring, where health inequalities and complex needs are greatest.

On 23 December 2024, our AB4D Ambassador Tania Drummond sadly passed away at the age of 45. We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a part in helping her fulfil her ambition to support and empower others.

SUMMIT is a partner in the SHELLS Project, a multi-agency initiative that supports adults in Tendring who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. As part of the SHELLS Project, SUMMIT provides Health & Inclusion Advocacy to help reduce health inequalities. This includes supporting adults to register with a GP, attend medical appointments, and better understand their health needs and the pathways to appropriate treatment.