Hearing Help Essex are hiring an Outreach Worker to support people affected by hearing loss in Essex. This is a rewarding role that combines community engagement, service delivery, and partnership work.
Hours: 15 per week
Location: Home based with travel across Mid Essex
If you are passionate about supporting people, enjoy working within local communities, and are looking for a rewarding role where you can make a tangible difference, they would love to hear from you.
ECL are looking to hire a Learning Disabilities Support Worker to join their team at Saffron Walden Day Centre.
The role involves supporting adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to build confidence, develop life skills and achieve greater independence.
Based at Saffron Walden Day Centre
£12.91 per hour
28 hours per week (Monday-Friday)
Permanent, Part-Time
If you’re caring, compassionate and passionate about helping others thrive, they would love to hear from you.
Please note, a full driving licence and own car is essential.
Harlow Stroke Support – Rehab Centre are recruiting trustees.
About the Charity
Harlow Stroke Support – Rehab Centre is the only dedicated long-term support and rehabilitation provider for stroke survivors across Harlow and the Wider Essex and East Hertfordshire area. Core services include:
Speech, language and communication sessions
Emotional rehabilitation and mental health support groups
Seated exercise classes
An under-60s group
A family carers group
A community minibus service
These services collectively support 517 members – stroke survivors and their unpaid carers – who would otherwise have no long-term rehabilitative provision following NHS discharge. Our work directly addresses isolation, loss of communication, reduced mobility, anxiety and loss of independence. In a town with Harlow’s significant socio-economic challenges, including income levels among the lowest in Essex, life expectancy below the national average, and the highest prevalence of common mental health disorders in the county – this support is critical.
Trustee Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate would have a knowledge of charity finance, business plans and ideally the use of the software package ‘Quickbooks’.
If the person has lived experience of stroke or impairments, that would be great but is not mandatory.
Trustee meetings are held monthly in Harlow.
To apply, please contact Mark Cadman (Lead Trustee) on mcadman@ntlworld.com
Please note there would be a telephone introduction initially and then an in-person interview. Successful applicants would need an enhanced DBS check.
Age Well East are looking for an inspiring leader with the vision, passion, and commitment to help transform later life across Essex and Suffolk.
At Age Well East, you’ll have the opportunity to lead a dedicated organisation, influence positive change, and make a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of older people.
Join us as we embark on our next exciting chapter and help shape the future of ageing well.
Don’t miss out! Mind in West Essex is delivering The Mental Health Toolkit: The Essentials training for FREE for Essex VCSEs this week (usually £95pp!)
The workshop at Mind Sanctuary in Harlow on Friday, October 9, 10am-2pm, is fully funded by Essex County Council and spaces are still available.
The Mental Health Toolkit: The Essentials is the foundation for workplace wellbeing, introducing you to Mental Health Continuum and the Emotional Needs & Resources approach.
The practical half-day workshop helps you to better understand emotional needs and how to meet them, enabling you to take care of yourself and the people around you.
Gain the knowledge and skills to spot the signs of someone experiencing poor mental health
Be confident to start a conversation with someone and signpost them to appropriate support.
You’ll receive MHFAider® certification for 3 years. You can also gain access to ongoing learning, exclusive resources and expert support by joining the Association of Mental Health First Aiders®.
Want to be part of a national movement for better mental health? Sign up for our Mental Health First Aider training with Mind in West Essex!
Eligible residents who use heating oil may be able to access support through the Crisis and Resilience Fund this winter.
Essex residents who rely on heating oil to heat their homes are being encouraged to seek support early if they are worried about meeting costs this winter.
With heating oil prices remaining significantly higher than in previous years, many households across rural Essex may face additional financial pressure as temperatures begin to drop.
Latest figures suggest around 94,000 homes across Essex are not connected to the mains gas network. The highest concentrations are in Braintree (29%), North West Essex (26%) and Witham (26%). This means many residents rely on alternative fuels such as heating oil to keep their homes warm.
Residents who use heating oil as their main source of heating and are struggling with rising costs may be eligible for support through Essex’s Crisis and Resilience Fund. The fund is designed to help low-income households experiencing financial hardship or unexpected financial hardship.
Support may be available towards the cost of heating oil following an assessment of a household’s financial circumstances. Residents are encouraged to contact the service well in advance of their usual purchase date to help ensure fuel can be ordered and delivered when needed.
The reminder comes ahead of further energy cost increases, with the energy price cap set to rise from 1 October.
Councillor Chris Hossack, Cabinet Member for Resident and Community Services, said: “We know that many households across our rural communities rely on heating oil and may be concerned about rising costs as we approach the winter months.
“Nobody should have to choose between heating their home and paying for other essential items. We would encourage anyone who is struggling financially to seek support as early as possible.
“The Crisis and Resilience Fund is there to help residents through difficult periods and ensure they can access the support they need.”
The Crisis and Resilience Fund can support residents facing difficulty paying for essential household costs, including food, energy, water, housing costs and heating oil.
A record turnout of 135 people took part in The Robin Cancer Trust’s annual Pants to Cancer walk, raising £4,500 for the charity.
Supporters of all ages took part in the seven mile walk from Clacton pier to Walton pier, with participants encouraged to pull bright pants over their clothes and shout ‘Pants to Cancer.’
The event, held on Sunday 20th September and now in its sixth year, saw its biggest turnout since it was launched, with families, friends, cancer survivors and even dogs joining the challenge. Some participants chose to double the distance, walking the 7 mile route back to Clacton to complete 14 miles in total.
Prizes were awarded for the best decorated underwear, with Gavin Newman of Sterling Washroom Services taking home the prize with his Henry the Hoover inspired pants.
The event was sponsored by East Coast 5, Daniel Connal Partnership, Colne Construction Services and Hayes Garage. Local businesses also provided support, with The Beach Haven Café providing free refreshments, Fairfields Farm donated crisps and volunteers helped to hand out medals at the finish.
Darren Couchman, Community Engagement Manager at The Robin Cancer Trust and a testicular cancer survivor, said: “This year’s walk was such a brilliant day and seeing more than 135 take part to support The Robin Cancer Trust was fantastic. There was such a great atmosphere from start to finish, with people of all ages getting involved, dressing up and of course, proudly wearing their pants! “Pants to Cancer is a fun event, but there’s a really important message behind it. Events like this help us start conversations about testicular and ovarian cancer, reach more people with our awareness messages and raise vital funds to support our work. A huge thank you to everyone who walked, fundraised, volunteered and supported us, we couldn’t do it without you.”
Around 2,400 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer in the UK each year, making it the most common cancer in men aged 15 to 45, but it is 95% curable if detected early. Ovarian cancer affects about 7,500 women annually, with one in 52 women diagnosed in their lifetime, yet it is 90% curable when caught early.
Founded by the Freeman family in memory of Robin Freeman, who died of a rare germ cell tumour aged just 24, the Colchester-based charity provides support to people affected by testicular, ovarian and germ cell cancers and delivers life- saving cancer awareness talks in schools and workplaces across the UK.
Could you volunteer to make a difference of a lifetime? Help Parents 1st support parents through pregnancy, birth & beyond…
To help meet the demand for support for families across Essex, we’re looking for volunteers in Basildon, Thurrock, Southend and the surrounding areas 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!
We’re running training for new volunteers during October. Please take a look at our website for more information and to register your interest in taking part in the training:
A major milestone has been reached for Essex based charity CanalAbility, as its new accessible electric canal boat, Amply Accessible, has been successfully delivered to a local marina, ahead of her journey to the charity’s base on the River Stort.
Based in Harlow, Essex, CanalAbility provides accessible boating experiences for people with disabilities, mobility challenges and significant health conditions, welcoming clients, families, carers and support groups.
The new 56ft by 11ft boat has been designed specifically for CanalAbility’s disabled clients and will join its two existing specially adapted diesel-powered wide-beam boats, helping the charity provide more opportunities for people to enjoy time on the water.
A Boat Built for the Future
The new boat is fully electric, with eight solar panels on the cabin roof helping to provide power for its onboard electrical requirements.
Moving from diesel to electric is expected to save approximately 5,130kg of CO₂ emissions each year, as well as providing a much quieter experience for clients.
Accessibility features include a wheelchair lift, drop-down access ramps, an accessible toilet, changing table and hoist. The boat also has joystick steering alongside conventional tiller steering, giving clients with different abilities the opportunity to take part in steering.
The project has been made possible thanks to the incredible support of CanalAbility’s volunteers,
fundraisers, donors and supporters, together with National Lottery players whose contributions made a substantial grant from The National Lottery Community Fund possible.
The project has also received sponsorship from Xylem and support from HFW.
CanalAbility Chairman, Marc Balkham, said: “2025 and 2026 have seen CanalAbility focussing on the exciting development and build of our new boat, while also reviewing our strategy and planning for the future stability of the charity, all while maintaining our high quality of service provision to our clients. Seeing Amply Accessible successfully trialled at Colecraft Boats and now preparing to make her journey home is a hugely exciting milestone for everyone involved. This boat represents a significant investment in the future of CanalAbility. It brings together accessibility, sustainability and modern technology, and most importantly has been designed around the needs of the people we support.”
Next Stop – CanalAbility
The boat will soon begin her journey to her new home in Harlow at CanalAbility’s base on the River Stort.
There will still be preparation, testing and commissioning before she begins welcoming disabled clients and community groups for day trips, but seeing Amply Accessible successfully complete her water trials and arrive at the marina marks an exciting step forward for CanalAbility, as she prepares for the next stage of her journey to the charity’s base on the River Stort.
For more information visit www.canalability.org.uk, Email hello@canalability.org.uk or call 01279 424444.
Gain the knowledge and skills to spot the signs of someone experiencing poor mental health
The next course will take place at Uttlesford Community Hub in Great Dunmow on October 21-22. Find out more and book your place here: 
Wednesdays 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th October 2026
10:00am–1:00pm
In person, Corringham Fire Station, 