Loose Women star officially open Braintree SEND Hub

Happy Hill Essex CIO opened its new premises in Great Notley in July, and after focusing on taking care of its children throughout the summer, this Tuesday saw celebrity patron Linda Robson officially open the Hub.

Heather Hill founded Happy Hill in 2018 for three to 25-year-olds, and two of her three children are young adults with SEND.

The Happy Hill Hub has a life skills room, sensory room, soft playroom and outdoor play spaces, and will soon host hairdressers, dentists, nurses, and social workers to attend SEND children.

The Loose Women star volunteered to be the patron of the charity after a close family friend of hers used Happy Hill’s facilities.

Official - Linda unveiled the plaque, marking the official opening of the Hub. (Image: Newsquest)Linda, who has young autistic family members, said: “It’s amazing that there’s places like this for families and their children to go to.

“I think its lovely, what they’ve done here is wonderful and it’s a nice clean airy space with lots of outside space to play as well.

“Heather has done an amazing thing here.”

Heather Hill, Founder and CEO of Happy Hill Essex CIO, said: “I’m very excited and so humbled that everyone has come to share this experience together.

“It’s taken me more or less two years to get here, and once we’ve got here, I’ve got a sense of relief, but I’m also taking another breath to carry on.

“It’s just a blink and it’s all here.”

Happy - The Happy Hill team are thrilled to open the Hub and excited for the future. (Image: Newsquest)Heather continued: “We’re hoping to get a new playground coming, which will be really inclusive for all, and keep things coming.

“The highlight of the day for me is people coming and sharing the moment with us.

“I didn’t realise the impact we’re having, so everyone coming – the staff, volunteers, the parents—just touches you, because they want to be here.”

Heather worked hard to get Happy Hill open for children in the summer, and had support from 76 volunteers from Aegon UK, as well as Home Start Essex, Lambert Chapman LLP, Essex Family Forum, and SEND Sensation.

The opening of the Hub was overseen by Councillor Lyn Walters, Chairman of Braintree council, and other councillors who played a part in the reopening of the premises.

Commemorate - Patron Linda Robson unveiled the plaque to signify the Hub's official opening. (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Kevin Bowers, Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance at Braintree Council, said: “We’re pleased to have played our part in getting this building ready and safe for occupation after the sudden and unexpected closure of the previous charity two years ago.

“An incredible amount of work and time has gone into bringing this important asset back into operational use and into the hands of a reputable charitable organisation equipped to operate it safely, efficiently and most importantly sustainably over the long term.

“We’re thrilled seeing the transformation firsthand and how the facilities and services on offer are benefiting children, young adults and their families.

“The environment provides a fun and stimulating place for children and young people to try new things, have fun, socialise and learn.”

He added: “This event showcases the vital role charities play in our communities, and we hope Happy Hill Essex and the children and young people it serves will be very happy in their new home.”

Proud - Councillors came to support the opening of the Hub after Braintree Council took over the building. (Image: Newsquest)Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Integration at Essex County Council, said: “The doors to Happy Hill opened over the summer and the services offered, staff and volunteers are already making such a positive difference to children and young adults with SEND in Essex, and their families.

“Happy Hill do a wonderful job and I am pleased to, alongside my colleagues at Braintree District Council, warmly welcome them to their new home at Great Notley.”

To find out more about Happy Hill, visit https://happyhillessex.com