Baking for Basics: Chelmsford customers hold a bake-off in aid of Essex emergency services charity

Each year, our business centres nominate one charity to raise money for, often one that is close to their hearts and their community. This year has been no different, and, whilst all of our centres have been busy throughout the year raising money for their elected charities, our most recent charity event came from our Chelmsford business centre, who held a bake off to support the invaluable work done by the emergency responders of the charity: Basics Essex.

What do Basics do

Basics Essex is a dedicated charity providing frontline pre-hospital emergency care across Essex. Staffed by trained volunteers including doctors and advanced paramedics, they respond to life-threatening 999 calls, often reaching scenes faster than traditional ambulance services. These volunteers provide expert treatment at the most critical time: at the roadside or in homes, helping to stabilise patients before hospital admission.

As a registered charity, Basics Essex relies on public donations and fundraising events to keep their vehicles on the road and their responders ready to help, and our Chelmsford Centre is eager to contribute to their mission as much as possible.

Why their work is important 

In medical emergencies, speed and skill can mean the difference between life and death. Basics Essex responders act as a vital supplement to the NHS, attending incidents where specialist intervention is needed immediately. Their work is especially valuable in rural parts of the county where response times can be longer.

According to the Department for Transport, Britain saw 128,920 casualties resulting from road traffic accidents last year, with over 29,000 resulting in serious injury. When time is critical, the presence of trained medical professionals at the scene ensures the best possible outcomes.

 Why we encourage charity events

At Capital Space, we know that a strong business is built on more than just great office space — it’s built on community, values and purpose. That’s why our business centres – including our Waterhouse Business Centre in Chelmsford – regularly host charity events and fundraisers to help causes that matter to our staff, our customers and our local neighbourhoods.

Whether you’re growing a start-up, managing a remote team, or looking for a virtual office in Chelmsford, we support entrepreneurs with flexible serviced offices, practical facilities, and welcoming communities, all while offering the chance to engage in meaningful initiatives that you believe in.

Our easy-in, easy-out agreements also allow SMEs the freedom to grow at their own pace, while still taking part in wider social efforts.

and the final results…

Contestants were pleasantly surprised to find that their judging panel  included three representatives from Basics — Jay, Louise, and Christine — as well as customer and connoisseur Rina, from Rina’s Café, the onsite Café at Waterhouse. A big congratulations to everyone who partook but in particular our winners:

• Winner: Karla from CLP wowed judges with a delicious strawberry upside-down cake, taking home a set of professional baking equipment
• Runners-up: Jay Cox, our Facilities Handyperson, impressed with a lemon drizzle, and Darren Petican from Securitas earned praise for his lemon curd cake.

All three bakers received certificates to thank them for their fantastic efforts. Centre Manager Sharon Dodson said:
“A massive thank you to the staff and customers that spent the day slaving over a hot oven perfecting their cakes for Waterhouse’s first-ever Cake Bake!”

With delicious cakes, a warm atmosphere, and a shared purpose, we’re proud to see how even small acts of kindness can make a big impact.

If you’re looking for office space from a provider that wants to support your business success, get in touch.