Braintree: POP Essex set to launch in old Argos site

Charity POP Essex is currently putting the finishing touches on the empty Argos property, in Bocking End, which is set to open next month.

The organisation offers stay-and-play respite sessions in Braintree for children aged zero to 18 with special educational needs, alongside their parents, carers, and loved ones.

It was launched following the sad closure of similar children's charity PARC (Essex) in Great Notley, which closed in June 2022 due to the charity being in financial difficulties.

POP Essex will be moving from the Braintree District Mencap building, in Coggeshall Road, requiring a bigger venue to offer more services and to meet rising demands.

Location - the former Arogs in Bocking End (Image: Newsquest)

New - the reception area (Image: Newsquest)

Space - The first large room which will be used in phase one launch (Image: Newsquest)

For its first phase, which will be ready for the June launch, there will be multiple kitted-out rooms available for paid sessions.

This includes a colourful reception as well as a large space to be used for children to play, with various toys and activities lined up as well as a pillar which has been turned into a sensory experience for children.

There will also be a book corner, a dedicated area for parents to sit and talk and a soft play corner with a rock climbing section.

Directly next to it will be a sensory room and a gaming room with consoles and televisions.

A lovely touch - the climbing wall in the soft play section of the first room (Image: Newsquest)

Area - the gaming room (Image: Newsquest)

Creative - the sensory pillar (Image: Newsquest)

A disabled access ramp has also been added, with a kitchen area, music room, disabled changing room and toilets available for the launch.

A far bigger play space will be opened in phase two which will be completed in the future, with an indoor garden planned for phase three.

POP's six trustees have been either helping physically or applying for grants, with numerous volunteers of parents with SEND children donating time to help paint the rooms as well.

Work in progress - POP Essex (Image: Newsquest)

Progress - a photo of where the kitchen area, and further toilets and disabled toilets (Image: Newsquest)

Great - an even bigger room which will be used as the official play space once phase two work is completed (Image: Newsquest)

Jamey Carr, 44, set up the charity alongside her husband Matt.

She said: “When it opens in June, I am so excited to see the children’s faces when they come in and find out what they enjoy the most about the space we’ve created for them.

“It’s the reason we do what we do and I can’t wait for it.

“We’re very grateful to everybody who has shown us support, that’s following us through our journey, I just can’t wait to show them the next stage.”

Founders - Jamey and Matt Carr (Image: Matt Carr)

Painted - one of the sensory rooms which will be ready in no time (Image: Newsquest)

James Yates, 45, who has two children on the autistic spectrum, has been a POP trustee for the last year.

He said: “As a father of twin boys with autism spectrum disorder, I have first-hand experience as all the trustees do.

“It’s very fulfilling to be involved and my kids love it when they come to the POP sessions.

“Jamey has been a driving force behind POP, and It’s an amazing achievement to get here.”

Helping - POP Essex trustee James Yates (Image: Newsquest)

The new POP Essex site at the former Argos is planned for a launch on June 15.

The charity will also be attending the Braintree and Bocking Carnival on June 8.

It will host a free quiet hour from 12pm to 1pm at the carnival with a sensory tent, rides with their lights off, making it a calm environment for SEND children.