ECL Bocking Learning Disabilities Day Centre

Being part of the local community plays a vital role in building confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging. We support customers to explore what’s available beyond the service, helping them feel safe, comfortable, and empowered in a range of everyday settings.

To build these skills, we offer travel training tailored to individual needs—learning bus routes, reading timetables, managing time, and growing confidence while using public transport. These sessions take place at a pace that feels right for each person, supporting them to navigate their community with increasing independence.

Customers are also supported to access local cafés, shops, libraries, leisure spaces, and other public environments for recreational visits. These experiences help reduce anxiety around unfamiliar places, promote communication and social interaction, and make everyday life feel more accessible and enjoyable.

Our goal is for individuals to gain the skills and confidence to access their community independently, with peers, or with family - including on days they do not attend the service.

ECL Bocking (Roundwood) offers a rich blend of indoor and outdoor activities designed to build confidence, develop practical skills, and support overall wellbeing.

Learning & life skills

We provide structured opportunities for customers to build everyday independence, including:

• ASDAN and Adult Community Learning (ACL) courses - focusing on money management, life skills, and practical independence.
• Independent living skills sessions - where individuals safely learn to use real household equipment such as washing machines and irons, and practise managing home routines.
• Shop and cook and sensory baking sessions - supporting budgeting, planning, food preparation, and confidence with daily living tasks.

Creative & expressive opportunities

Customers can explore their creativity and communication through a range of expressive activities, including:

• Arts and crafts.
• Singing and music.
• Dance and movement.
  

Flexible indoor spaces

Our indoor environment is designed with flexibility and comfort in mind, offering:

• Calm, low‑stimulus areas for sensory regulation.
• Quiet spaces for focused work or 1‑to‑1 support.
• Activity rooms for group learning and creative projects.

8 acres of outdoor space

Roundwood’s extensive outdoor environment is a key part of our offer, providing countless opportunities to develop practical gardening skills and learn about sustainability and food production. The grounds include:

• Rich wildlife areas.
• A pond and sensory‑focused nature spaces.
• Polytunnels, greenhouses, and dedicated growing areas.
• Allotment spaces where individuals can grow their own fruit, vegetables, and plants.

ECL Bocking (Roundwood) supports adults with learning disabilities and/or autism who benefit from a calm, spacious, sensory‑friendly environment and a personalised, nature‑based approach to learning and wellbeing.

We can support individuals who require higher staffing ratios, where this is identified through assessment and is compatible with the environment and activities we offer. Support is shaped through individual planning, ensuring that staffing levels, communication approaches, and session content all meet each person’s unique needs.

While we can meet a wide range of learning and support needs, we are not currently able to support individuals with PMLD or high physical care needs, as we do not have specialist equipment such as hoists or assisted changing facilities.

One of our key strengths is supporting adults with communication differences. Our team is experienced in providing communication‑focused support using:

• clear, accessible language.
• structured, predictable activities.
• visual aids and supportive routines.
• practical communication strategies.

This approach is informed by professional guidance where appropriate, including Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) recommendations and other clinical insights.

For individuals who want to get more actively involved in their communities or explore voluntary or paid work, we can connect them with our Community Connectors or Inclusive Employment teams to help make those aspirations a reality.

Above all, Roundwood offers a safe, nurturing environment where individuals can build confidence, develop independence, and meaningfully participate in everyday activities at a pace that feels right for them.

At ECL we work with the individual, their families, and health professionals to identify goals to create a unique and tailored support plan. One of our team will assess the level of support needed, and prices will be based on the recommendations, as well as the number of sessions required.

Funding may be available from Essex County Council subject to eligibility.