Mind in West Essex has moved to a new base in Harlow. After more than 14 years at the Bush Fair hub, all Harlow services and staff are now based at the new site, Mind Sanctuary (the former Osler House GP surgery), located at Prentice Place, Potter Street, Harlow, CM17 9BG.
The move marks an exciting new chapter for the charity, providing a refreshed and welcoming space for their services, staff, and the local community. While the offices remain closed to the public over the Christmas and New Year period, the crisis alternatives continue to operate as usual during the evenings to ensure ongoing support.
Later in 2026, they will be celebrating the new Harlow home with a community open day for local residents and businesses, followed by a formal opening event.
To stay up to date with these plans and other news from Mind in West Essex,
Key dates for the move to the new site and our Christmas opening hours:
Christmas Eve (Wednesday): At 1pm, we close our doors at Bush Fair for the last time.
Christmas Day (Thursday) to Sunday, December 28: Our offices are closed to the public (however our crisis alternatives will remain open every evening as usual).
From Monday, December 29: All Harlow services and staff based at Mind Sanctuary.
Thursday, January 1: Offices closed for New Years Day bank holiday (except crisis alternatives).
From Monday, January 5: We welcome back our community activity groups, based at Mind Sanctuary for the first time.
Looking for a calm and culture-filled way to spend your Saturday afternoons? Screentime Free Film Club invites you to step away from everyday distractions and enjoy a thoughtfully curated film screening each week at Harlow Central Library.
Taking place every Saturday from 2.00 – 4.00 pm, the club offers free film screenings in a welcoming, friendly environment. There’s no need to book—just turn up, take a seat, and enjoy. Refreshments are available at a small charge, making it the perfect excuse to settle in and unwind.
The programme showcases a diverse range of classic, international, and independent films, offering something a little different from mainstream cinema and a great opportunity to discover hidden gems from around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned film lover or simply curious to try something new, you’ll find a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere.
So why not make it part of your weekend routine? Drop in, switch off your screens, and let the film take you somewhere new.
The Essex Alliance is pleased to support Mind in West Essex with the recruitment of two paid positions.
Mind in West Essex is a local, independent mental health charity, affiliated to Mind, (the National Association for Mental Health) a charity with which we share common values and principles.
Our vision is for West Essex to be a place where people talk openly and positively about mental health, and where everyone gets the support and respect needed to live well. Mind in West Essex welcomes applications from people with their own personal experience of mental ill health.
• Volunteer Support Officer
Reporting to: Volunteer Coordinator
Location: Based in Uttlesford with occasional travel across the district and to Harlow
Hours: 12 Hours
Pay: £12.21 per hour
• Cleaner
Reporting to: Premises Coordinator
Normal Place of Work: The Mind Sanctuary, Potter Street, Harlow
Hours: 6 Hours Per Week
Term: Permanent
Pay: £12.21 per hour
These roles play an important part in supporting mental health services across West Essex.
On behalf of Rocket Science, Essex Alliance members are being invited to contribute to research commissioned by Travel Essex, on behalf of Essex County Council, alongside Integrated Transport Planning. The research will work with older people and people with disabilities to understand why bus use is currently lower and what could be done to improve it.
Due to short project timescales, a planning session will take place on 8 January 2026, from 1.30–3.30pm, at Essex County Council, and representation from the Essex Alliance would be greatly valued. Ideally, this would be someone with knowledge of organisations supporting older people and/or people with disabilities.
The session will focus on:
The most effective ways to engage older people and people with disabilities in the research
Insights into potential barriers to, and opportunities for, bus use that could help shape the survey
Why this work matters
Improving bus use among older people and people with disabilities is important for several reasons:
Buses help people stay connected to friends and family. Lower use can increase the risk of social isolation, negatively affecting mental health and wellbeing, and placing additional pressure on adult social care services as people become less mobile.
Buses enable access to health and care services. Reduced mobility can lead to higher costs for health and social care providers needing to reach people in their homes.
Buses support access to high streets and retail centres, with lower patronage potentially impacting local economic development.
Funding from concessionary bus passes is vital for the commercial viability of bus services. A reduction in trips risks the sustainability of routes across the network, affecting communities across Essex.
Now the Government has launched the public consultation on proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Greater Essex we wanted to share some additional information and support that might prove useful in your thinking and forming your own response. The Government is keen to receive feedback from organisations like yours from across Essex and your input is vital to ensure public services remain effective and efficient.
You are able to have your say on all four proposals under consideration. You can review them here: https://www.essexlgrhub.org/stronger-greater-essex. The consultation asks eight questions for each proposal.
To support you in responding to the Essex County Council three new unitary councils proposal please see the following documents:
Our summary ‘Response to the Consultation’ in respect of the Essex County Council proposal for three new unitary councils.
The annex to the ECC Consultation Response on Neighbourhoods and Localism which might be of particular interest.
Alongside the annex on Neighbourhoods and Localism there are also the following annexes which can be found on the full response here LGR consultation response.docx, which might also be helpful when developing your response to the three new unitary councils proposal.
Finances
Social care and education
Economy and housing growth
Deprivation
If you prefer, you can also email your views directly to LGRconsultationresponse@communities.gov.uk, but MHCLG has also asked that you please complete the online form as well to help with data collection.
Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News
Parents 1st are pleased to offer parents and caregivers the unique opportunity to join our friendly and informal group running in Basildon in January 2026 to create a personal lullaby for their babies with the help of professional musicians.
You do not need to be able to sing or to write music! A skilled, professional musician will work with you to help you create your lullaby from start to finish. The lullabies will be recorded, giving you and your family something to treasure for years to come.
Where: Northlands Park Family Hub, Davenants, Basildon, Essex SS13 1QX
When: Fridays 9th January – 6th March 2026, 10:30am-12pm (some sessions will be held online, please see flyer for more details)
Cost: Free
For more information and to register your interest in joining the group, please visit the Parents 1st website:
This winter, people living with dementia or memory issues – along with their carers, friends and family – are warmly invited to join a wide range of free, friendly community groups taking place across Essex. These groups offer a welcoming space to get information, make new connections and enjoy meaningful activities together.
Across Mid, North, North West, South and West Essex, there is something for everyone. Popular Singing for the Brain® sessions use music to stimulate memory, lift mood and encourage social interaction, while Memory Cafés provide relaxed, supportive environments to chat and share experiences. For those who enjoy being active, there are Walk and Talk groups, seated movement and relaxation sessions, walking football, and other gentle activity groups designed to support wellbeing.
This winter programme also includes carers’ peer support and relaxation groups, offering carers valuable time to connect with others who understand their experiences, as well as local Winter Cafés and Hubs, providing warmth, companionship and practical support during the colder months.
All groups are free to attend, and no prior booking is required unless stated. Sessions take place regularly at accessible community venues including libraries, village halls, churches and leisure facilities throughout Essex.
If you or someone you support would benefit from joining a group, or if you would like more information about what’s available in your area, please get in touch:
Hundreds of children across Essex have helped bring comfort and joy to families in need this Christmas through a generous shoebox appeal supporting Home-Start Essex.
Children from Seymour House Nurseries, with the support of nursery staff, parents and carers, took part in the charity’s annual shoebox collection. Together, they created beautifully decorated festive boxes filled with thoughtful gifts for children supported by Home-Start Essex, a local charity working with families facing significant challenges.
The shoeboxes included a wide range of items such as warm winter essentials, books, stationery, puzzles and toys. Many of the children also decorated their own box lids with drawings and stickers, adding a personal touch and ensuring each gift was unique. The activity helped children understand the importance of kindness and empathy, while providing practical support to families who may be experiencing a difficult winter.
Home-Start Essex supports parents and young children across the county who are affected by issues including poverty, isolation, domestic abuse, bereavement, poor mental health, and the additional pressures of caring for children with disabilities or special educational needs. Demand for the charity’s services has increased significantly, with more families than ever requiring help.
Nic O’Brien, Chief Executive Officer of Home-Start Essex, said “the shoeboxes would make a meaningful difference to the families receiving them, particularly during the Christmas period. Each box, filled with care and consideration, represents more than a gift — it offers reassurance to parents and a sense of joy to children at a time when it is needed most.”
The initiative also reflects a wider commitment within early years settings to encourage social responsibility from a young age. By involving children directly in choosing and preparing the gifts, the appeal demonstrates how small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact within the local community.
Home-Start Essex continues to provide a range of services including volunteer family support, wellbeing and mental health groups, essential item provision, and specialist support for families with additional needs. Community initiatives such as this shoebox appeal play an important role in helping the charity reach families at a critical time of year.
How to Help
Home-Start Essex urgently needs support to continue providing life-changing services to families in crisis.
To donate and help local families this Christmas, please visit Donate Now – Home-Start Essex
To donate gifts, please contact fundraising@home-startessex.org.uk
Why Support Is Needed More Than Ever
• Demand for Home-Start Essex services has increased by 134%.
• Across the county, 38,600 children now live in the 20 most deprived neighbourhoods, and 14.1% of children are growing up in extreme poverty.
• In the last year alone, Home-Start Essex supported over 2000 children.
For many people, the festive season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. But for others, it can be one of the loneliest times of the year. Feelings of isolation can be heightened during winter, especially for older residents, carers, people living alone, and those facing difficult circumstances.
That’s why the Essex Map is playing an increasingly vital role in connecting people across the county with the support, activities, and community services they need — when they need them most.
The Essex Map is a free, easy-to-use online directory that helps residents find local groups, charities, events, and services in their area. Whether someone is looking for a friendly coffee morning, a mental health support group, wellbeing activities, food support, or social clubs, the Essex Map brings everything together in one place.
Support Is Closer Than You Think
Loneliness doesn’t always look the same. It can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. The Essex Map makes it easier to:
Discover local social groups and community activities
Find wellbeing and mental health support
Access help with food, finances, and everyday living
Connect with charities offering companionship and outreach
This festive period, if you or someone you know is feeling isolated, the Essex Map could be a powerful first step towards support and connection.
👉 Visit www.essexmap.co.uk and explore what’s available in your local area.
Calling All Charities, Community Groups & Support Services
If you are a charity, voluntary organisation, faith group, community group, or support service working to reduce loneliness or support people this winter — we want to hear from you.
By listing your service on the Essex Map, you can:
Reach more people who need your support
Increase awareness of your activities and events
Strengthen connections across the community
Help ensure no one feels alone this festive season
Light Up a Life Day (5th December) is a time for reflection, remembrance, and connection. Whether you have lost a family member, friend, or someone who made a difference in your life, this day offers a moment to honour their memory and celebrate the love they brought into the world.
For many people, days like this can bring a mixture of emotions — comfort, sadness, gratitude, or a sense of longing. That’s why finding the right local support can make such a meaningful difference.
Find Local Bereavement Support on The Essex Map
Across Essex, many charities, hospices, community groups, and organisations provide compassionate support for those coping with loss. To help residents easily find this help, The Essex Map brings together local services in one accessible place.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet space to reflect, a group to share memories with, or professional guidance during a difficult time, The Essex Map can help you find what you need close to home.
🕯️ Supporting Light Up a Life Day in Your Community
Light Up a Life Day encourages individuals and communities to come together and celebrate the lives of those who have passed. Many local groups hold remembrance events, candle-lighting ceremonies, tree-decorating activities, or moments of collective reflection.
If your organisation is taking part or offering support around this day, The Essex Map is a valuable place to make your services visible to residents across Essex.
✨ Are You a Bereavement Charity or Support Group?
If you provide bereavement support, counselling, remembrance events, hospice care, or any other related services, you can list your organisation for free on The Essex Map.
Adding your service helps local people find the support they need, especially on days like Light Up a Life Day when many seek comfort and community.
👉 Add your organisation to The Essex Map here:www.essexmap.co.uk (navigate to the “Add a Listing” section) or email: communications@essexalliance.org.uk
By joining the map, you’ll be contributing to a county-wide network of support that ensures no one has to face loss alone.
🌈 You Are Not Alone
Light Up a Life Day reminds us that while loss is deeply personal, support is something we can share. Whether you’re remembering someone special or looking for ways to support others, The Essex Map is here to help you connect with services that care.
Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News
