The Experience Project is situated in the Whittingham Mission, a former church on the Whittingham estate that was no longer used for worship. It was generously donated to the Project by the Southend & Leigh Methodist Circuit as part of their community outreach initiative.
The Whittingham estate is located between two of the most disadvantaged wards in Southend, where there are no food banks or community centres available to local residents. The community we serve falls within the 10% most deprived areas in England (IMO, 2019), with over 50% of children living in poverty. Child protection concerns are significantly higher than both local and national averages, while issues such as domestic violence, addiction, and social isolation are prevalent. Additionally, criminal activities like county lines drugs and gangs exploit the community's vulnerability. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has worsened the situation, leading to increased mental health challenges, poor diet and nutrition, and a shortage of safe spaces for the community to come together.
In response, The Experience Project has established a community hub to address this unmet need, offering a safe space for residents whilst striving to make a meaningful difference in the Social Justice sector.
Through our formal partnerships with Ocado, Prep Kitchen and Essex Furniture Outlet, who donate the highest quality food to us every week, we are helping to reduce food poverty and improve nutrition in our community.
Thanks to BENQ, who kindly provided us with their 10K Digital Laser projectors, we are able to host monthly sensory healing rooms for our local residents to aid their mental wellbeing.
At The Experience Project, we are committed to creating positive change in our community, so as well as distributing food provisions and hosting community events, we also provide early intervention, signposting, and advocacy services to support our local residents.
OUR MISSION
The Whittingham Experience Project aims to reduce food poverty, improve nutrition and mental wellbeing, and provide advocacy services, early intervention and signposting within the local area.
Our long-term goal is for the Project to become a technological creative hub that presents an opportunity for the development of young people's aspirations.
ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE PROJECT
OUR PARTNERS
We are dedicated to supporting not only our immediate locality but also extend our efforts to 25 partner organisations. We distribute various provisions to these partners on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and annual basis, helping to reach even more people in need.