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Mid & North East Essex Mind Offering Suicide Awareness Workshops

The Essex Alliance is sharing this information on behalf of Mid & North East Essex Mind.

Mid and North East Essex Mind are pleased to offer new Suicide Awareness workshops for organisations and the communities of Mid and North East Essex. This course is designed to help you have potentially life-saving conversations and provide practical tools to help stay calm, respond with confidence, and know what to say (and what not to say) when someone may be at risk. It looks at warning signs, and how to hold a supportive and boundaried conversation, whilst connecting the person to the right kind of help – without taking on the role of a therapist or clinician.

During this workshop, participants will:
– Discuss warning signs to look out for, even when the person may not be engaged with mental health services or specifically have spoken about suicide
– Learn appropriate language to use when talking about suicide
– Explore strategies for self-care both during and after conversations about suicide.

The workshops are taking place on:

  • 15th July – Colchester
  • 9th September – Clacton
  • 10th November – Chelmsford

To find out more and to book a space on one of our fully funded workshops please visit https://mnessexmind.org/suicide-awareness/

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News, Opportunities, Training

Join New Lived Experience Steering Group

The Essex Alliance is sharing this opportunity on behalf of the University of Essex and Essex County Council.

We are inviting people to join the Making It Count Steering Group, a project run by Essex County Council and the University of Essex.

The project aims to develop a practical toolkit to help community organisations, charities, commissioners, and public health teams understand and show the difference their work makes.

We would like to hear from:

• Local residents who have completed feedback forms or surveys about services they have used (such as community groups, food banks, or wellbeing activities)

• People who work or volunteer in organisations that provide these types of services

If you are interested, please take a look at the attached flyer for more information about the role, support available, and payment for taking part.

Click HERE for Flyer

To express your interest, please complete the short online form here: Expression of Interest Form

We would also appreciate it if you could share this invitation with colleagues, community groups, and local residents who may be interested.

We would love to hear from you.

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News, Opportunities

Online Survey about Community Micro-Enterprises

The Essex Alliance is sharing this survey on behalf of Essex County Council.

Community Micro‑Enterprises (CME) are very small, local businesses—typically with eight or less staff—that provide highly personalised care and support. They offer a wide range of services such as personal care, cleaning, activities, trade services, therapies and wellbeing support. Focused on enhancing independence and wellbeing, they deliver flexible, tailored help and are often run by local people for their own communities, offering an alternative to larger organisations and care agencies.

Thurrock and Essex Councils are running CME projects to make sure people who receive Direct Payments or pay for their own care have enough local, personalised services to choose from. We have agreed to work together so that our CME projects run in the same way across both Councils. To achieve this, we want to work with people – rather than making decisions alone – to develop a shared approach for how we welcome and set up new micro‑enterprises. Our aim is to make sure the process and requirements for joining our programmes are proportionate, practical, and based on what people who use these services truly need and want.

We are asking for feedback from people who use CMEs, Direct Payments recipients, family carers, micro-enterprise owners, and social care professionals. We would really appreciate if you could take a few minutes to complete our online survey. You don’t need any prior knowledge of micro‑enterprises to take part—we want to hear from as many different perspectives as possible.

To access the online survey you can follow the link below:

Thurrock & Essex Community Micro-enterprise Model Survey – Fill in form

 

Thank you so much in advance for taking part!

 

 

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, Consultations, News, Opportunities

Basildon Girls’ Personal Development Programme Launches Free Summer Camp Open Day

Girls Life Club Project (GLC), a personal development programme for girls aged 11–16 based in Basildon and Laindon, Essex, is delighted to announce its FREE Open Day on Saturday 25 July 2026, marking the official launch of its flagship Summer Camp programme running 27 July – 27 August 2026.

The Summer Camp is a four-week, community-based programme designed to equip young girls with the life skills, confidence, and knowledge they need to thrive. Sessions cover five key themes:

  1. Foundation and Mindset
  2. Money and Financial
    Literacy
  3. Home and Independence
  4. Digital Wellness and Relationships
  5. Future Vision

What to Expect on Open Day
Members of the press, local families, community partners, and supporters are warmly invited to attend. On the day, guests can expect:
• Meet the GLC team, volunteers, and local parents
• A showcase of the Summer Camp curriculum and resources
• Information on how to enrol your daughter for the Summer Camp
• Meet the facilitators and see the full session curriculum up close
• Refreshments and a welcoming community atmosphere

“Girls in our community deserve a space that truly invests in them, their confidence, their futures, and their wellbeing. The Summer Camp is our biggest step yet in making that a reality. We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome families, partners, and supporters to see what we’ve built.”
— Phebi Adeoye, Founder & Programme Director, Girls Life Club Project

Event Details
Date: Saturday 25 July 2026
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Venue: Laindon, Essex
Admission: Free, registration required

Book your place: https://girlslifeclub.co.uk/events/open-day-2026
Summer Camp dates: 27 July – 27 August 2026

About Girls Life Club Project
Girls Life Club Project is a personal development programme for girls aged 11–16, run by Life Skills Community CIC (Company No. 17164034), based in Basildon and Laindon, Essex. Founded by Phebi Adeoye a paediatric nurse, public health specialist, and life coach. GLC provides a safe, empowering space for young girls to build the skills and confidence they need to navigate life. GLC exists because every girl deserves to grow up knowing her worth and her potential.

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News

NHS Talking Therapies Free Mind & Movement Course

The Essex Alliance is sharing this news on behalf of Vita Health Group and their NHS Talking Therapy service.

A ‘Move for Your Mind’ course is now available via NHS Talking Therapies, which is designed to support you with gently increasing activity whilst managing your long-term health condition.

Do you find it difficult to maintain regular exercise or a physical activity routine?
Do you notice that changes in how much you’re able to move can affect your emotional wellbeing?
This course is designed for people living with physical health conditions, offering support at your own pace, in a way that works for you.

 

What You’ll Learn

  1. Understanding links between physical and mental health
  2. How physical activity can benefit your emotional wellbeing
  3. Help with managing worry, overthinking or self-criticism
  4. Understand your current behavioural patterns
  5. Learn how to stay well and set manageable goals

Course Details

  • 10-week course
  • 6 wellbeing sessions
  • 1-1.5 hours per session
  • 4 optional 1-1 coaching calls

Self refer today by going to vitahealthgroup.co.uk

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News, Opportunities

Essex Neurology Network Looking for a Treasurer

The Essex Alliance are sharing this opportunity on behalf of The Essex Neurology Network, who are looking for a Treasurer to join their organisation.

Are you someone with a knack for numbers and a heart for helping others? Our organisation is looking for a volunteer treasurer to join our friendly trustee team.

You’ll help oversee our finances, prepare simple reports for committee meetings, and guide us on financial matters—all the while supporting a cause that truly matters.

What you’ll do:

  • Keep an eye on our accounts and help us stay on track
  • Produce short financial updates for our monthly committee meetings
  • Advise on budgeting and financial planningHelp us applying for funding
  • Help complete our annual accounts and get them independently examined
  • Be part of key decisions shaping the charity’s future

Who we’re looking for:

  • Someone with experience in finance or bookkeeping
  • Ideally, some knowledge of charity finances (but not essential)
  • A team player who enjoys problem-solving
  • Passionate about our cause and making a positive impact

Why join us:

  • Make a real difference to the lives of those we support
  • Work with a small, friendly, and committed team
  • Gain experience in charity governance and finance
  • Enjoy a flexible, voluntary role within a supportive environment

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

To find out more, please contact Rosie our Secretary on essexneuronetwork@gmail.com

Essex Neurology Network is a growing network of people affected by neurological conditions, health professionals, representatives of support charities and the Essex community, and staff, students and researchers at the University of Essex. By bringing together a wide range of professionals and the voluntary sector, we hope to share good practice and encourage best services, in order to support those who are affected by neurological conditions, so they are enabled to live active and fulfilled lives.

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News, Opportunities

Essex County Council Launches ‘Clear the Air’ Campaign

What is ‘Clear the Air’?

Clear the Air is an Essex County Council campaign supporting parents and carers to talk with children aged 10-12 about vaping. Before misinformation or social pressure becomes established.

Parents can explore information via an AI-powered chat tool or by scrolling animated key facts: Clear the air about vaping.

The campaign focuses on:

  • challenging common myths children hear about vaping
  • addressing how seeing vaping online or among other young people can make it seem normal, even though most children do not vape
  • supporting early, calm conversations at home
  • helping children feel confident, not confused

How can organisations support?

  • sharing campaign materials with parents via newsletters, apps or websites
  • displaying posters or digital assets
  • signposting parents to the Clear the Air website
  • encouraging parents and carers to have a conversation with their child about vaping

Partner resources can be downloaded here: Support the campaign

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News

Mind in West Essex Recruiting CYP Mental Health Support Clinical Team Manager

The Essex Alliance is sharing this opportunity on behalf of Mind in West Essex.

Mind in West Essex have an exciting opportunity in their schools team! They’re looking for a CYP Mental Health Support Clinical Team Manager.

An appropriately registered practitioner, you’ll be part of the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) management team, responsible for supporting clinical governance and development of the MHST.
This includes providing case management supervision, clinical supervision and line management to Supervisors and EMHPs. You’ll be responsible for helping to shape and develop the service and for a small clinical caseload.

– Based in Mind in West Essex’s Harlow and Dunmow offices, with the ability to travel throughout Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford.

– Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

– £49,387 to £56,515 (dependant on experience) which is equivalent of NHS Agenda for change Band 7 + HCAS Fringe where applicable

– Closing date: 19th June 2026

Full details, including job description and person specification, here: Mind in West Essex Vacancies

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News, Opportunities, Third Sector Jobs

HMRC Announces Increase to Volunteer Mileage Rates

HMRC has announced a long-awaited increase to volunteer mileage rates – rising from 45p to 55p per mile. This change follows years of campaigning from voluntary sector organisations and will have important implications for volunteer expenses, budgeting and recruitment.

We’ve broken down what this means for charities, community groups and volunteer-involving opportunities – including what you may need to review next.

Read the full update here.

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News

CARA Recruiting Sessional Play Therapist and Advocacy Volunteer

The Essex Alliance is sharing these opportunities on behalf of CARA

Sessional Play Therapist

We are currently seeking a sessional Play Therapist to work with CARA, supporting clients age 4 and over who have experienced any form of sexual violence.

For a role description, please click here
For an application form, please click here 

Application deadline: 10am, Friday 19th June 2026.
Interviews: Week commencing 29th June 2026

Start date: As soon as possible, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.
This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

 

Advocacy Volunteer

CARA is looking for a Volunteer to support our Advocacy Co-ordinator in providing advocacy support to victims and survivors of any kind of sexual violence. You would have an allocated case load, and work would include support around housing, finances, health, domestic abuse and other issues.

For a role description, please click here
For an application form, please click here
Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted for interview as they are received

Start date: As soon as possible, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.
This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News, Opportunities, Third Sector Jobs