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
Wednesday 29 April marks Stop Food Waste Day — a global initiative encouraging people to reduce food waste, save money, and make better use of the food we already have.
Food waste is something many of us don’t think about day to day — but it adds up quickly. From forgotten leftovers to buying more than we need, perfectly good food often ends up in the bin. Reducing food waste not only helps the environment, it can also lower household costs and support more sustainable communities.
The good news is that small changes can make a big difference.
Simple ways to reduce food waste at home
Plan before you shop Check your cupboards, fridge and freezer before heading to the shops. Making a simple list helps avoid buying duplicates and reduces impulse purchases that may go to waste.
Understand date labels “Use by” dates relate to safety, but “best before” dates are about quality. Many foods are still perfectly fine to eat after their best before date if stored correctly.
Store food properly Keeping food in the right place helps it last longer:
Keep potatoes in a cool, dark place
Store herbs in water like flowers
Use airtight containers for leftovers
Freeze bread to use when needed
Love your leftovers Leftovers can become tomorrow’s lunch or part of another meal. Roast vegetables can go into pasta, soups or wraps, and cooked rice can be used for stir-fries.
Use your freezer Freezing food is one of the easiest ways to prevent waste. You can freeze:
Bread and baked goods
Cooked meals and leftovers
Fruit for smoothies
Grated cheese
Milk (freeze in portions)
Get involved locally
Across Essex, many community organisations are helping reduce food waste through food sharing schemes, community fridges, cooking groups and surplus food projects. These initiatives help make sure good food is used and shared within the community.
You can discover local food support, community meals and sustainability groups using The Essex Map: https://www.essexmap.co.uk/
This Stop Food Waste Day, small actions at home — and connecting with local initiatives — can help reduce waste, save money and support communities across Essex.
Could you volunteer and make a lasting difference in your community? Parents 1st is inviting compassionate individuals to join their Community Support Volunteer Training this June and July.
To help meet the growing demand for support across Essex, Parents 1st is seeking volunteers to support new and expectant parents at a range of welcoming community outreach events. These include outdoor walk-and-talk sessions, antenatal information sessions, coffee mornings, fitness groups, and first aid courses.
As a volunteer, you will play an important role in supporting both families and the wider team. This may involve welcoming parents, preparing refreshments, offering a friendly listening ear, helping to create a relaxed and inclusive environment, or even holding a baby while a parent takes a well-earned break.
This is a rewarding opportunity to build connections, support local families, and contribute to stronger, healthier communities across Essex.
We’re currently looking for two passionate individuals to join us as voluntary Non-Executive Directors, supporting our mission to make music therapy accessible to those who need it most.
As we continue to grow, we’re particularly looking for:
A Fundraising Director
Someone with experience in fundraising who can help shape and guide our fundraising strategy, supporting sustainable growth and helping us reach more people through our work.
A Finance Director
Someone with a background in finance or accounting to provide clear financial oversight, helping us stay strong, sustainable and focused on our mission.
Both roles offer the opportunity to bring your skills, insight and care to support our team, strengthen our organisation and help guide our next chapter.
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be joining a passionate, values-driven board, with a manageable commitment including quarterly online meetings and ongoing support to the team.
And if not, sharing this with your networks could help us find the right people to support this work. Every share really does make a difference.
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
The Baytree Shopping Centre in Brentwood is set to host Brentwood’s first ever Coffee Morning, bringing the local community together for a meaningful cause.
Taking place on Friday 15th May and Saturday 16th May from 10am to 3pm, the two-day event will raise vital funds to support hospice care, helping to provide compassionate support for people living with illnesses that cannot be cured, as well as care and guidance for their families and loved ones.
Visitors are invited to enjoy a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the heart of the centre, with tea, coffee and a selection of delicious cakes available throughout the event. The Coffee Morning offers the perfect opportunity for friends, families and visitors to come together, support an important cause and take a moment to connect. Hospices play a vital role within communities, offering specialist care, comfort and dignity to those who need it most. Support from events like this helps ensure these essential services can continue, both now and for future generations.
Charlotte Winder from Saint Francis Hospice commented: “We’re delighted to be working with The Baytree Shopping Centre to host Brentwood’s first ever Coffee Morning. Community is at the heart of everything we do at Saint Francis Hospice, and this event is a fantastic opportunity to bring local people together while raising awareness and support for the care we provide across the community. We look forward to welcoming visitors for what promises to be a really special and meaningful day.”
Visitors are also encouraged to make the most of everything The Baytree has to offer, combining their visit with a day of shopping and exploring the centre’s mix of high street favourites.
Maria Kyriacou-Edwards from The Baytree Shopping Centre commented:“We’re incredibly proud to be hosting Brentwood’s first ever Coffee Morning. Community is at the heart of everything we do, and this event is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together while supporting such an important cause. We look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy the event alongside everything The Baytree has to offer.”
Every cup of coffee and every donation made during the event will contribute towards supporting hospice care, helping to make a real difference within the community.
The Essex Alliance is sharing this information on behalf of Essex County Council.
County, District, Borough and City council elections are taking place on Thursday 7th May 2026. To vote in person, by post or by proxy, you must be registered.
After you’ve registered, there are extra deadlines depending on how you want to vote, or if you need to apply for free voter ID. The deadline to apply is:
for a postal vote or a postal proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21st April
for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 28th April
if you need free voter ID is 5pm on Tuesday 28th April
Registering to vote helps make sure your voice is part of the decisions that affect local services, places and community life.
World Health Day is a reminder that good health is about more than medical care. Community support, wellbeing activities, advice services, and local organisations all play an important role in helping people live healthier lives.
The Essex Map helps people across Essex find local services that support health and wellbeing – from community groups and support organisations to advice and activities.
If your organisation offers services that support health and wellbeing in Essex, make sure people can find you on the map.
If you’re looking for support, explore what’s available in your area.
April is Stress Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about stress and help people find the support they need.
One practical way we can all support our communities is by making it easier for people to find local services quickly and easily.
The Essex Map (www.essexmap.co.uk) is a free online directory that helps residents, professionals and community organisations discover services across Essex that support health, wellbeing, community connection and more.
We would love your help to make the map even more useful during Stress Awareness Month.
How you can get involved:
• Promote the Essex Map to people you support so they can find local help and resources when they need it.
• Add your organisation or service to the map so more people can find the support you provide.
• Share the map with colleagues and partners to help grow the network of support across Essex.
The more organisations that are listed, the easier it becomes for people experiencing stress or other challenges to find the right support at the right time.
