Kinder Essex (formerly United in Kind) began in 2019 with an aim to mobilise communities and develop local partnerships to tackle the problem of loneliness and social isolation. Feelings of loneliness and isolation can impact both mental and physical health which is why it’s crucial to address the wider causes of ill health, not just the symptoms.
Following the successful pilot funded by Essex County Council, RCCE now delivers the Kinder Essex project across Essex (Excluding Southend & Thurrock) as part of the Essex Wellbeing Service.
Over the past five years, Kinder Essex has expanded its reach and impact, thanks to the incredible efforts of our 12 dedicated coaches who work tirelessly in their areas to enable acts of kindness, connect people to local groups and activities, and support wider health and wellbeing.
Here are some of their extraordinary achievements so far:
- Helped more than 20,000 people across the county to become more connected.
- Encouraged nearly 46,000 acts of kindness over 5 years
- Recruited over 500 new volunteers in 2024 alone.
- Supported more than 1500 new initiatives to increase community connections over 5 years
- Assisted over 250 groups and organizations in setting up new activities in 2024.
One small act of kindness can make a big difference to someone and means anyone can get involved in doing something nice for their community without committing to long term volunteering.
Our coaches are here to help if you want to get something off the ground or get involved in acts of kindness. If you already run a group but are interested in finding out more about Kinder Essex we’d love to hear from you.
We are also on social media, so you can connect with us on Facebook @KinderEssex
To find out more about Kinder Essex projects please click HERE.
Kinder Essex Coaches
South Essex
Castle Point Borough – Kelly McKenzie
Email: kelly.mckenzie@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07458 300897 | Facebook: Kinder Essex Castle Point
Basildon Borough
Email: sarah.hawkes@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07458 300899 | Facebook: Kinder Essex Basildon Branch
Rochford District – Corrina O’Donnell
Email: corrina.odonnell@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07305 007622 | Facebook: Kinder Essex Rochford
Brentwood District – Amy Robelou
Email: amy.robelou@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07540 720601 | Facebook: Kinder Essex Brentwood
Mid-Essex
Maldon District – Jane Owen
Email: jane.owen@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07514 726338 | Facebook: Kinder Essex Maldon
Braintree District -Jayne Laken
Email: jayne.laken@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07458 300903 | Facebook: Kinder Essex Braintree
Chelmsford District – Kelly Coombs
Email: kelly.coombs@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07540 720610 | Facebook: Kinder Essex Chelmsford
North Essex
Tendring District – Catherine Venables
Email: catherine.venables@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07458 300898 | Facebook: Kinder Essex Tendring
Tendring District (Active Coach) Tracey Crook
Email: tracey.crook@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07507 765850 | Facebook: Tendring – Kinder Essex
Colchester – H Goodwin
Email: h.goodwin@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07458 300894 | Facebook: Kinder Essex Colchester
West Essex
West Uttlesford – Christine Chester
Email: christine.chester@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07597 583466 |Facebook: Kinder Essex Uttlesford
Epping – Antonia Buck
Email: antonia.buck@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07858 372324 | Facebook: Kinder Essex Epping
Harlow – Sarah Ayling
Email: sarah.ayling@ceessex.org.uk | Mobile: 07933 1846034 | Facebook: Kinder Essex Harlow