Colchester Anti Loo Roll Brigade is a community-driven initiative in Colchester dedicated to preventing panic buying, promoting responsible shopping habits, reducing toilet paper waste, and supporting vulnerable residents. The group encourages sharing surplus supplies, fostering local solidarity, sustainable consumption, and community resilience during times of shortage or uncertainty.
Discover how Colchester ALB’s services support the entire community, from vulnerable residents to families and local groups. We promote responsible shopping, prevent waste, encourage sharing of essential supplies, and strengthen community resilience through practical support, education, and collaboration across Colchester.
Our impact extends beyond Colchester. We are regularly featured on regional and national TV and radio, and our work has been recognised in Parliament by Pam Cox MP for the vital role we play in supporting our community.
 In addition to our key achievements of  delivering key community outreach projects, changing and supporting the vulnerable, as well as changing behaviours and raising awareness, we have been delighted to be recognised as follows:-
– Essex Festival of the Year 2023, 2024 & 2025
– East Anglian Festival of the Year 2023 and 2024.
– Peter Dutch personally nominated for a Pride of Britain award and awarded an honorary doctorate by Essex University.
The impact of our work in Colchester has reached far beyond tbe city walls and we are regularly featured on regional and national TV and radio. We have been mentioned in Parliament by Pam Cox, Colchester MP who has spoken about the vital role we play and who is a great supporter of ours.
We are very proud of our history, our unique services and focus and the difference we make, all of which we must now sustain and protect. Beyond that, we are incredibly excited and motivated to build further on this and to grow, and ultimately deliver even more support, assistance and fun into our community. We are full of energy and ideas including:-
–        Lakeland’s Country Park
We are hopeful of acquiring land adjacent to the Lakeland’s Centre which we would utilise as a community asset, to support conservation and environmental issues and deliver facilities for the community to get more involved in  sport / fitness / conservation / vocational activities and/or training.
–        Lakeland’s Café Extension
We have potential plans in progress to extend the café, with an extension to double the current footprint, with a commensurate increase in kitchen operations/menu to increase custom and revenue.
–        Expand Community Support
Demand materially outstrips our ability to supply support to those in crisis/need and particularly in respect of the provision of furniture and white goods. This service is financially restricted and would like to build out a furniture collection and storage/recycling facility to allow us to scale this operation materially to better meet demand.
–        Expand School Mentoring & Counselling Services
This service is resource intensive and financially restricted, and we intend to build out our current model into more schools in the community beyond the 2 we currently work in (6 month pilot complete). We intend to expand to c10 schools.
–        Therapy Services
We are looking to extend our therapy and counselling provision with particular focus on domestic abuse victims and speech/language therapy. Both areas suffer from a clear lack of availability, and we are currently financially restricted to meet the need.Â
Developing adjacent land into a community asset supporting conservation, sport, training, and environmental initiatives.
Doubling the café footprint to increase capacity, enhance operations, and support long-term financial sustainability.
Creating a furniture collection, storage and recycling facility to meet growing demand for crisis support and essential household goods.
Scaling our successful pilot programme from 2 schools to approximately 10 schools to provide early intervention and youth support.
Increasing therapy provision, with a focus on domestic abuse support and speech and language therapy, where availability is currently limited.
It’s my pleasure to welcome you to our website, the official home of the ALB-Colchester Anti Loo Roll Brigade .
What started as a simple Facebook group in the chaotic early days of 2020—born out of a desire to make sure no one in our community was left behind (or without the basics!)—has grown into something far greater than I ever imagined. Today, we are a Community Interest Company (CIC) dedicated to supporting the community in the gaps where people need us most.
Why We’re Here
Our philosophy is simple: Community first. Whether it’s providing essential support to families in crisis, hosting events that bring people together, or simply offering a helping hand when the path gets rocky, the ALB is about local people looking out for local people.
We don’t believe in red tape; we believe in action.
What You’ll Find Here
This site is designed to be your gateway to the ALB. Whether you are:
Looking to give back: Ways to support us, donate or volunteer.
Staying informed: Keep up with our latest projects, fundraisers, and community impact.
The “ALB spirit” is fuelled by the incredible generosity and grit of the people of Colchester. We aren’t just a support group; we’re a group built on the idea that when we stick together, there is no challenge too big for us to tackle.
Peter Dutch Founder & CEO, Colchester Anti Loo Roll Brigade CIC
Exciting News For Our Colchester
The Colchester Anti Loo Roll Brigade promotes responsible shopping, prevents panic buying, supports community sharing, and reduces unnecessary toilet paper waste.
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