This role is an opportunity to make a real difference and impact to people’s lives locally in the community by providing practical support to empower individuals to facilitate recovery and overcome barriers preventing them from doing the meaningful activities that matter to them.
The Essex Alliance is sharing this information on behalf of Parents 1st.
Pregnancy in Mind (PiM) is a free mental health support group for parents-to-be to find space for whatever they’re feeling. It is designed for parents experiencing or at risk of mild anxiety or depression, who are between 12 and 26 weeks pregnant.
Our PiM online groups are safe spaces where we support you with whatever emotions you’re feeling during pregnancy. PiM typically meets once a week for eight weeks. Sessions are for either parent. You can come on your own or bring a support person.
We’ll explore:
– Coping strategies
– How to understand your mental health
– Mindfulness and ways to boost your mood
– Relaxation
– Connecting with your baby
DATES
Tuesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th June & 7th, 14th, 21st July (you will need to be able to attend all the sessions) TIME
6:30-8:00pm LOCATION
Online via Zoom COST
FREE
For more information and to register your interest in joining a group, please visit the Parents 1st website: Pregnancy in Mind – Parents 1st
The Essex Alliance is sharing this opportunity on behalf of Parents 1st.
Could you volunteer to make a difference of a lifetime? Help us to support parents through pregnancy, birth & beyond….
Join us for our Community Support volunteer training courses this June and July!
Having a baby should be an exciting life changing event for any parent. However, this is not the case for all parents – at the moment, we are experiencing a huge demand for emotional support pre- and post-birth from mothers, fathers and birthing people.
Peer support can be a lifeline for parents who are feeling vulnerable, anxious or isolated. Some friendly, informal and free peer support can make the difference of a lifetime. We are looking for kind, friendly individuals who have a listening ear, who are non-judgemental and who have experience and an understanding of the pressure of having a baby.
To help meet the demand for support for families across Essex, we’re looking for volunteers to help support new and expectant parents at our outreach events. We currently run regular outdoor walk and talk sessions, antenatal information sessions, coffee mornings, fitness and first aid courses and need volunteers to assist our friendly team at these events. Volunteers will help our peer supporters run the events – you might be welcoming parents, making tea, chatting and connecting with parents or holding a baby whilst mum has a drink!
DATES
Wednesdays 17th & 24th June and 8th & 15th July 2026 TIME
10:00am-1:00pm LOCATION
Corringham Fire Station, 37 Fobbing Rd, Corringham, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex SS17 9BG COST
FREE
Volunteer Opportunity – Day Centre Support Volunteer
Days: Wednesday and Friday Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm Location: Crossroads Day Centre, Braintree
We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers to join our Day Centre team, supporting adults living with Dementia, Parkinson’s, cognitive delay, and age‑related memory challenges. Our Day Centre provides a safe, welcoming space where people can enjoy activities, social interaction, and a sense of community.
What the role involves
As a Volunteer, you will help create a warm, enjoyable environment by supporting with light, meaningful activities such as:
• Crafts and creative sessions
• Bingo, quizzes and games
• Music, entertainment and group activities
• Chatting with service users and offering companionship
• Making and serving tea, coffee and refreshments
• Fetching and serving lunch prepared by our volunteer cook
• Helping staff set up and tidy away activity materials
What you won’t be asked to do
• No toileting or personal care
• No lifting or physical handling
• No lone working — you will always be alongside 3–4 paid staff and other volunteers
Who we’re looking for
• Friendly, patient and compassionate
• Comfortable chatting with older adults
• Reliable and able to commit to regular sessions
• Happy to follow staff guidance and safeguarding procedures
• Enjoys being part of a supportive team
What you’ll gain
• A rewarding role supporting local families and unpaid carers
• Experience working with people with dementia and similar conditions
• Training, support and a warm welcome from our team
• The chance to make a real difference to someone’s day
For more information or to apply, call 01376 529985 or email crossroads1974@outlook.com
The Essex Alliance is sharing this news on behalf of Community360.
Community360 are delighted to introduce our new suite of services, designed to better serve the needs and support the growth of charities, CICs, small businesses, and organisations in our communities.
Community Roots has been created to provide flexible, accessible and affordable financial support. With our values at the very core of our delivery – integrity, innovation, and collaboration – our aim is to offer practical, reliable help that reduces pressure, supports compliance, and lets you stay focused on delivering impact.
Our services include:
Payroll
Independent Examinations
Accounts Preparation
Bookkeeping
Personal Tax (Making Tax Digital)
You might be interested in one or all of the portfolio on offer, and we would welcome conversations about how we can make this work for your organisation. If you would like to find out more or arrange a conversation, please get in touch at crservices@community360.org.uk or visit our website at https://community360.org.uk/community-roots-memberships/
The Essex Alliance is sharing this news on behalf of Home-Start Essex.
Families with young children across the Epping Forest District are at risk of losing a vital, free support service unless urgent funding is secured. Home-Start Essex is calling on individuals, businesses and the wider community to rally behind its Family Support Group in Waltham Abbey, a weekly lifeline for families with children under give facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
Without immediate financial support, this essential service which supports 20 vulnerable families each year faces closure.
“This group is more than just a weekly meeting; it’s a safe haven. For many parents, it’s the only place they feel heard, supported and connected.” – Nic O’Brien, CEO of Home-Start Essex.
The Family Support Group provides a welcoming, nurturing space for families dealing with issues such as:
Financial hardship and poverty
Isolation and loneliness
Poor mental health
Bereavement
Housing insecurity
Domestic abuse
One parent shared: “The family group was the first time I had properly talked to a group of adults since leaving the refuge nearly a year ago. It was good to listen to other people’s views, to open up about my anxiety and share tips”.
An urgent crowdfunding appeal launches on 14th May, with all donations matched pound-for-pound by the Aviva Foundation until 24th June 2026, doubling the impact for families in crisis. This means that:
A £30 donation becomes £60
A £250 donation becomes £500
Every pound donated up to £250 will be doubled, but only until Wednesday 24th June 2026.
All funds raised will directly sustain the group.
Help keep this essential service alive and ensure families in Epping Forest District continue to receive the support they desperately need. Donate online here:
A series of monthly Recovery from Addiction workshops are being delivered by experts in their fields. These are intended to educate and inform both service users, professionals, and anyone who has an interest in these topics. Sessions will include time for Q&As.
The topic for this month’s workshop is Chemsex – A Growing Epidemic and How to Stay Safe. This session focuses on chemsex, offering clear, non-judgemental information alongside space for open and respectful discussion.
Delivered by Amy Brown, Health Promotion Specialist at Essex Sexual Health Service, the workshop will cover:
What chemsex is and why it happens
Risks to physical and mental health
Harm reduction and support options
These sessions are open to anyone with an interest in recovery and wellbeing, including people in recovery, professionals and members of the wider community.
No prior knowledge needed. Just come along and take part in a supportive, welcoming space.
This is a drop-in session and part of the Rainbow Recovery workshop series. You’re welcome to attend one or join multiple sessions.
Chelmsford City Racecourse are delighted to offer two community events in May.
Walk & Talk – Thursday 14th May
Fancy a walk and a natter? Then join us for a Walk & Talk event on Thursday 14th May at 9:45am.
Enjoy a gentle walk (short and long routes available), then hang around afterwards for refreshments and an optional wellbeing talk.
No need to book, just come along!
Meet at our main car park off the northbound carriageway of the A131 (CM3 1QP).
Free parking and tea & coffee. Dogs are welcome.
For more information, please contact info@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com
Dementia ‘Time for a Cuppa’ Event – Wednesday 20th May
We are supporting local residents living with dementia. By the time we have boiled the kettle, another person will have developed dementia, with over 944,000 people in the UK affected.
We are inviting local residents who are living with dementia to join us for a cuppa and cake.
Join us in a safe space with Dementia UK on hand for support, a cuppa, cake, fun activities and a meet and greet with Manny, our ex-racehorse ambassador.
When? Wednesday 20th May
Where? Chelmsford City Racecourse, Great Leighs, CM3 1PZ
What Time? 2:00pm-4:00pm
How Much? £5 per head, booking is essential
For more information, contact info@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com
Through the generosity of The Prudence Trust and The Stone Family Foundation, Renew is now offering freeParent Support Sessions.
These groups are for parents, carers and professionals supporting young people with issues around negative body image, disordered eating or low self-esteem. We aim to help build confidence and equip them to support their child through these challenges.
Our sessions will provide a safe space to share experiences, ask questions and gain support and practical strategies from trained professionals.
You can attend these on an adhoc basis or more regularly to suit your needs. You do not need to have an existing relationship with Renew to access these sessions.
When?Every Wednesday
Where?Either in person at Chelmsford Counselling Centre or online
What time?In person at 10:00am until 11:30am, or Online at 6:00pm – 7:00pm
