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.
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:
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:
Foundation and Mindset
Money and Financial
Literacy
Home and Independence
Digital Wellness and Relationships
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
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.
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
Understanding links between physical and mental health
How physical activity can benefit your emotional wellbeing
Help with managing worry, overthinking or self-criticism
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.
This Diabetes Awareness Week, let’s raise awareness, reduce stigma, and help people across Essex connect with local diabetes support, wellbeing services, and community organisations.
Diabetes Awareness Week is a UK-wide awareness campaign dedicated to shining a light on the realities of living with diabetes, supporting those affected, and encouraging people to access information, advice, and community support.
The Essex Map is a free community directory that helps people discover local health services, support groups, wellbeing activities, charities, and community organisations across Essex — including services supporting people living with diabetes and related health conditions.
Whether you’re:
💙 Looking for diabetes support or wellbeing services 🍎 Searching for healthy lifestyle or community activities 🏃 Wanting to improve physical and mental wellbeing 🤝 Looking to connect with local support groups and organisations 🏥 Or part of a service supporting people living with diabetes
…the Essex Map can help people find local support and community connections.
Are you an organisation supporting people living with diabetes or long-term health conditions?
Add your service or organisation to the map for free and help more people across Essex discover the support available in their local community.
This Carers Week, let’s recognise and celebrate the incredible contribution unpaid carers make every day across Essex and the UK.
Carers Week is an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness of caring, recognising the challenges unpaid carers face, and helping people access the support, services, and community connections available to them.
The Essex Map is a free community directory designed to help people find local support services, wellbeing activities, advice organisations, community groups, and carers’ support across Essex.
Whether you’re:
💙 An unpaid carer looking for support or local services ☕ Searching for community groups, advice sessions, or wellbeing activities 🤝 Wanting to connect with others who understand caring responsibilities 📍 Looking for local organisations offering support for carers and families 🏡 Or part of a service supporting carers in your community
…the Essex Map can help people find the support they need.
Are you an organisation supporting carers?
From advice services and respite support to wellbeing groups, community activities, and information sessions — you can add your service or organisation to the map for free and help carers across Essex connect with local support.
This World Environment Day, let’s celebrate the people, groups, and organisations across Essex who are helping to protect the environment, support greener communities, and encourage sustainable living.
The Essex Map is a free community directory that helps people discover local services, activities, charities, and support groups — including environmental projects, community gardens, recycling initiatives, outdoor wellbeing groups, conservation organisations, and sustainability-focused activities across Essex.
Whether you’re:
🌿 Looking for local environmental groups or volunteering opportunities ♻️ Wanting to get involved in sustainability projects 🌎 Searching for community gardening or conservation activities 🤝 Hoping to connect with like-minded people in your area 🏡 Or part of an organisation supporting environmental wellbeing and greener living
…the Essex Map can help you find and share local opportunities.
Are you an organisation supporting environmental or community sustainability projects?
Add your service, group, or activity to the map for free and help more people across Essex discover ways to get involved this World Environment Day and beyond.
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
Volunteers make an incredible difference to communities across Essex every day. Whether you’re looking to give back, develop new skills, meet people, or support a cause you care about, there’s a volunteering opportunity waiting for you.
Looking to volunteer?
Visit The Essex Map at www.essexmap.co.uk to discover local volunteering opportunities and find a role that suits your interests, availability, and skills.
Recruiting volunteers?
If you’re a charity, community group, social enterprise, or voluntary organisation, make sure your opportunities are listed on Essex MAP so that potential volunteers can find you.
Need extra help finding volunteers?
Members can also submit volunteer requests to the Essex Alliance weekly newsletter, reaching organisations, partners, and individuals across the county. Simply email communications@essexalliance.org.uk with details of your opportunity.
This Volunteers’ Week, let’s celebrate the people who give their time to strengthen our communities and encourage even more Essex residents to get involved.
Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News
