Rainbow Services, a community-focused charity based in Harlow, is inviting applications for two exciting roles:
1. Pedal Power Project Co-ordinator
Role Overview: Coordinate the Pedal Power programme, which offers free bikes to Harlow residents to promote active lifestyles and community well‑being.
Application Process: Submit a CV and a brief covering letter (max one side of A4) outlining your interest and relevant experience to Kelly at Kelly@rainbowservices.org.uk.
Deadline: Applications close at 5 pm on 26 August 2025.
2. Marketing and Communications Officer
Role Overview: Support the Harlow Place Partnership by delivering creative and effective marketing and communications for flagship local projects and investments.
Application Process: Submit a CV and a one‑page cover letter to Kelly (Kelly@rainbowservices.org.uk), detailing your interest and suitability for the role.
Deadline: Also closes at 5 pm on 26 August 2025.
Rainbow Services is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from across the community.
A new Government consultation has been launched, inviting views on proposals to strengthen partnerships between emergency responders and voluntary, community, and faith-based organisations.
This consultation follows recommendations made by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and considers whether there should be legislative changes to reinforce these vital partnerships. The goal is to ensure Category 1 emergency responders—such as Essex County Council—are better supported through effective collaboration with civil society during times of emergency.
The Government is actively seeking feedback from a wide range of organisations, including those involved in:
Community support and mutual aid
Faith and religious communities
Emergency planning and response
Social services and disability advocacy
Culture, education, youth programmes, and more
This is an important opportunity for organisations across Essex to shape future policy and ensure the essential role of the voluntary, community, and faith sectors is both recognised and strengthened.
We encourage members of the Essex Faith Covenant, voluntary and community sector (VCS) networks, and other relevant groups to review the consultation and consider responding.
Families across Essex are facing daily challenges that no parent or child should have to endure.
Children’s charity, Home-Start Essex is calling on the local community to step up and help.
This September, Home-Start Essex is inviting Essex residents, families and businesses to take part in a 2K–5K sponsored walk completed anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace to raise money for families with young children who are struggling daily.
From poverty and poor mental health to bereavement and abuse, the challenges faced by families with children under five are more widespread than many realise.
Right now, local families with children under five are experiencing serious issues, including:
• Social isolation
• Children with physical or learning disabilities
• Parents with mental or physical health issues
• Living in poverty
• Domestic abuse
• Bereavement
• Being rehomed or living in temporary accommodation
Home-Start Essex steps in, helping families get back on their feet, find hope, and build a better future. Last year alone, they
supported 1025 families and 2116 children with:
• Home Visiting – Weekly support from trained volunteer mentors for families in need.
• Family Support Groups – Helping parents build confidence, resilience, and school readiness through play and peer
connection, including SEND, Family Fitness & Fun, and Baby Massage groups.
• Wellbeing Groups – Support for parents struggling with their emotional wellbeing, who may be facing trauma, grief,
or postnatal depression.
• Essential Supplies – Food, nappies, blankets, and fuel support for families in poverty or temporary housing.
• Behavioural & SEND Support – One-to-one and group help for parents of children with additional needs.
• Counselling – Mental health support, including for survivors of domestic abuse.
• Befriending Calls – A listening ear for parents who feel isolated and alone.
Nic O’Brien, CEO of Home-Start Essex says: “We work with families who, at times, feel like they have nowhere to turn. We’re there for families when they feel lost and alone, helping them find strength, rebuild their confidence, and create a better future for their young children. We need the kindness and support of our local community to help raise much needed funds to continue our services to support local families facing hardship.”
By simply walking 2K–5K during September, around your local park, to the shop, or as part of a team day at work, you can help raise vital funds to keep these life-changing services going.
Thanks to the Essex Fun Walk scheme, every donation will be increased by 30–40% match funding. That means a £10 donation could become £14 plus Gift Aid without you having to do anything extra.
Participants can choose to fundraise through sponsorship or simply donate themselves to take part.
Everyone who registers will receive a welcome pack with sponsorship forms and details on our just giving fundraising page
online.
It’s a simple walk, but it can change the course of a family’s life.
Healthwatch Essex, in partnership with the NHS in Hertfordshire and West Essex, has launched a new project to better understand the experiences of frailty and ageing in the region. The project seeks to hear directly from local people to help improve health and social care services for older adults.
Residents aged 65 and over, as well as family members, carers, healthcare professionals, and those working in the voluntary sector, are all encouraged to take part. Healthwatch Essex is looking to hold relaxed and confidential conversations that explore topics such as ageing well, frailty prevention, navigating care services, and preferences for future care.
Each conversation will take around 30 to 45 minutes and can be conducted in person, over the phone, or online. Participants’ identities will remain anonymous, and all personal information will be kept strictly confidential.
Lily Boag, Project Officer at Healthwatch Essex, said:
“This is a chance for the West Essex community to speak up and influence the future of local health and care services. Whether you’re an older resident, a carer, or a professional, your insights can help shape services that support healthy ageing.”
Healthwatch Essex is also keen to connect with local community groups and is happy to attend meetings or sessions where older residents gather.
The Sport and Youth Mental Health Project, led by the Active Essex Foundation, has officially completed its first year as part of a three-year, National Lottery-funded initiative. Now entering its second year, the project continues to support young people across Essex through the power of sport and physical activity, aiming to improve mental wellbeing and build stronger communities.
We’re excited to share that our evaluation partner, Centre for Mental Health, has published the Year 1 Evaluation Report, offering detailed insights into the project’s early impact, learning, and areas for growth.
📄 Prefer a quick read? Check out the 2-page Executive Summary, highlighting key findings and recommendations for the next two years: Executive Summary – Key Insights (PDF)
We’re delighted to share that the Social Impact Framework opportunity is now live!
This Framework has been designed to support the delivery of community-led, preventative services that tackle the wider determinants of health and help improve health equity across our communities.
It aims to make it easier for public sector bodies to partner with organisations like yours – those embedded in local knowledge, lived experience, and collaborative approaches.
Why This Matters
We understand that procurement processes can often feel complicated or time-consuming. That’s why we’ve worked hard to ensure this opportunity is:
✅ Accessible ✅ Proportionate ✅ Aligned with the vital work you’re already doing
We’ve also produced guidance to support you through the application process. You can access that here: 👉 Social Impact Framework Guidance
Who Should Apply?
If your organisation delivers services that make a positive social impact, we strongly encourage you to explore this opportunity.
Eligible services may include (but aren’t limited to):
🌿 Mental health and wellbeing support
💰 Financial inclusion initiatives
🏘️ Supported or independent living services
🌳 Green and community health programmes
How to Apply
All documentation and communication for this opportunity is being managed through Atamis, and there will be no hard copy materials issued.
We are thrilled to announce that the Jack Petchey Foundation is now accepting new applications from youth organisations to host an intern on our next internship programme. We will part-fund up to 20 internships for one year in youth organisations across London and Essex.
The Jack Petchey Internship Programme is designed to give young people a flying start in the youth sector and to help youth organisations increase the support they provide for young people in London and Essex. This will be the eighth cohort of our successful internship programme, which has so far supported over 170 young people into essential jobs in the youth sector.
You are eligible to apply for a grant to help fund a paid intern at your organisation starting in March 2026, if you:
🌟 are a youth charity or CIO working with young people in London or Essex
🌟 are currently running the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme
🌟 have an income between £150k and £5m
📅 Application deadline: 9am, Monday 8 September 2025.
🚨 Before starting your application, please read the application guidance notes very carefully, which includes details on eligibility criteria, what kind of roles we are looking to fund and what else is involved in hosting a Jack Petchey intern.
Insights from the VVU/ECVYS Listening Report and Community Grant Opportunity
Nearly 2,500 young people across Essex have had their say on how safe they feel in their communities, thanks to the Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) and Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services (ECVYS) Listening Report 2024/25.
This important piece of youth consultation provides not only a county-wide perspective but also breaks down feedback by individual districts. From parks and public transport to school life and social spaces, the report gives a powerful insight into the real concerns, challenges, and hopes that young people are voicing.
📄 The full report is available to read or download on the ECVYS website: 👉 ECVYS Youth Voices
VVU Community Grant 2026/27 – Now Open
Applications close: 10th September 2025
Local voluntary and community organisations are invited to apply for the VVU Community Grant 2026/27, under the theme #ConnectBelongStaySafe.
Organisations based in and delivering work with young people in Essex, Southend or Thurrock can apply for up to £22,000 to run projects between 1st April 2026 and 31st March 2027.
This year’s funding priorities are shaped directly by the findings in the VVU/ECVYS Youth Listening Report, reflecting what young people themselves have said is most important to them — with a focus on safety, connection, and belonging in their local areas.
📌 Key Details:
For not-for-profit, voluntary or community organisations
Must have a registered office and deliver work within Essex, Southend, or Thurrock
Projects must be youth-focused and align with district-level needs highlighted in the report
We’re excited to introduce a powerful new digital tool for the voluntary and community sector in Essex: the E-Portal and its companion AI Chatbot. These resources are designed to streamline support, provide easier access to vital information, and empower local organisations with user-friendly self-assessment tools.
To help you get the most out of these tools, we’re hosting a series of free webinars. These interactive sessions will guide you through the key features of the E-Portal and demonstrate how the AI Chatbot can assist with queries and navigation. You’ll also get a preview of future developments and the opportunity to share your feedback.
Let’s Talk Mental Health is about coming together to connect, support and inspire; and drawing on our own experiences to engage, empower and educate.
It’s a safe space where you can share your mental health journey, express yourself creatively through art or poetry, participate in a podcast and find meaningful opportunities to make change.
Help shift the narrative around mental health in Essex and beyond by having positive conversations, telling real stories and challenging stigmas.
