News

This is where we’ll post third sector news and important updates that are useful for your organisation.

Mind in West Essex Recruiting CYP Mental Health Support Clinical Team Manager

The Essex Alliance is sharing this opportunity on behalf of Mind in West Essex.

Mind in West Essex have an exciting opportunity in their schools team! They’re looking for a CYP Mental Health Support Clinical Team Manager.

An appropriately registered practitioner, you’ll be part of the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) management team, responsible for supporting clinical governance and development of the MHST.
This includes providing case management supervision, clinical supervision and line management to Supervisors and EMHPs. You’ll be responsible for helping to shape and develop the service and for a small clinical caseload.

– Based in Mind in West Essex’s Harlow and Dunmow offices, with the ability to travel throughout Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford.

– Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

– £49,387 to £56,515 (dependant on experience) which is equivalent of NHS Agenda for change Band 7 + HCAS Fringe where applicable

– Closing date: 19th June 2026

Full details, including job description and person specification, here: Mind in West Essex Vacancies

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News, Opportunities, Third Sector Jobs

HMRC Announces Increase to Volunteer Mileage Rates

HMRC has announced a long-awaited increase to volunteer mileage rates – rising from 45p to 55p per mile. This change follows years of campaigning from voluntary sector organisations and will have important implications for volunteer expenses, budgeting and recruitment.

We’ve broken down what this means for charities, community groups and volunteer-involving opportunities – including what you may need to review next.

Read the full update here.

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News

CARA Recruiting Sessional Play Therapist and Advocacy Volunteer

The Essex Alliance is sharing these opportunities on behalf of CARA

Sessional Play Therapist

We are currently seeking a sessional Play Therapist to work with CARA, supporting clients age 4 and over who have experienced any form of sexual violence.

For a role description, please click here
For an application form, please click here 

Application deadline: 10am, Friday 19th June 2026.
Interviews: Week commencing 29th June 2026

Start date: As soon as possible, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.
This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

 

Advocacy Volunteer

CARA is looking for a Volunteer to support our Advocacy Co-ordinator in providing advocacy support to victims and survivors of any kind of sexual violence. You would have an allocated case load, and work would include support around housing, finances, health, domestic abuse and other issues.

For a role description, please click here
For an application form, please click here
Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted for interview as they are received

Start date: As soon as possible, subject to receipt of satisfactory references and enhanced DBS check.
This post is restricted to women applicants under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News, Opportunities, Third Sector Jobs

Celebrate Great Outdoors Month with the Essex Map

June is Great Outdoors Month — the perfect time to get outside, get active, and discover the amazing outdoor spaces, activities, and community groups across Essex.

The Essex Map helps people find local opportunities to improve wellbeing, connect with others, and enjoy the outdoors. From walking groups and community gardens to outdoor fitness, family activities, nature projects, and wellbeing services, the map makes it easier to discover what’s happening near you.

Whether you’re:
🚶 Looking for local walking or cycling groups
🌳 Searching for outdoor wellbeing activities
🌼 Wanting to connect with nature and your community
👨‍👩‍👧 Looking for family-friendly outdoor activities
🤝 Or part of an organisation offering outdoor services or events

…the Essex Map can help you connect with local opportunities.

Do you run an outdoor group, activity, or community service?

Add your organisation or event to the map for free and help more people across Essex discover ways to enjoy the outdoors and support their wellbeing.

📍 Explore the map: www.essexmap.co.uk

📢 List your service or organisation today and help people make the most of Great Outdoors Month this June.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

Pride Month Spotlight: Discover & Share LGBTQ+ Support Across Essex

This Pride Month, let’s celebrate visibility, connection, and community by highlighting the amazing LGBTQ+ organisations, support groups, and inclusive services across Essex.

The Essex Map is a free community directory designed to help people find local support, activities, wellbeing services, charities, and community groups all in one place. It includes dedicated LGBTQ+ listings featuring organisations such as The OutHouse, Basildon Pride, MindOut, LGBTQ+ youth groups, and more.

Whether you’re:
🏳️‍🌈 Looking for support
🏳️‍⚧️ Searching for inclusive local services
💬 Wanting to connect with community groups
🤝 Or promoting an organisation that supports LGBTQ+ people

…the Essex Map is here to help.

Are you an organisation supporting the LGBTQ+ community?

You can add your service or group to the map for free, helping more people across Essex discover the support, spaces, and communities available to them.

📍 Explore the map:
www.essexmap.co.uk

📢 Add your organisation or service listing today and help make support more visible this Pride Month.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

World No Tobacco Day: Find Local Support Across Essex

Sunday 31st May marks World No Tobacco Day, a global campaign highlighting the importance of reducing tobacco use and supporting people to quit smoking.

Quitting smoking is one of the most positive steps someone can take for their health, but it can also be challenging. The good news is that support is available across Essex, with a wide range of organisations offering advice, guidance, and practical help to those looking to quit.

Find help near you with Essex MAP

The Essex Map (Mapping Essex’s Community Assets) is a free online directory designed to connect residents with local services and support. Whether you’re looking for stop smoking services, wellbeing support, or community groups, Essex MAP makes it easy to find help in your area.

👉 Visit Essex Map: https://www.essexmap.co.uk/

By bringing together services in one place, Essex Map helps individuals take that first step towards a healthier lifestyle—whether that’s quitting smoking or accessing wider wellbeing support.

Supporting organisations across Essex

World No Tobacco Day is also an opportunity for organisations to ensure their services are visible and accessible to those who need them.

If your organisation provides:

  • Stop smoking support
  • Health and wellbeing services
  • Community or peer support

we encourage you to list your service on Essex Map. It’s a simple way to reach more people and make a real difference in your community.

Take the first step

If you’re thinking about quitting smoking, you don’t have to do it alone. Local support is available, and Essex MAP is here to help you find it.

This World No Tobacco Day, take the first step towards a healthier future.

👉 Explore support services now: https://www.essexmap.co.uk/

Email: communications@essexalliance.org.uk

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: News

Sport for Confidence Recruiting Community Occupational Therapist

Sport for Confidence are recruiting a Community Occupational Therapist.

This role is an opportunity to make a real difference and impact to people’s lives locally in the community by providing practical support to empower individuals to facilitate recovery and overcome barriers preventing them from doing the meaningful activities that matter to them.

Full Job Description

  • Based in Witham, Essex
  • 1 Year Fixed-Term Contract
  • £32,100 – £40,800 FTE, depending on experience
  • Part Time – 3 days per week

If you are interested in applying for the role, please send your CV to careers@sportforconfidence.com.

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News, Opportunities, Third Sector Jobs

Pregnancy in Mind – Parents 1st

The Essex Alliance is sharing this information on behalf of Parents 1st.

Pregnancy in Mind (PiM) is a free mental health support group for parents-to-be to find space for whatever they’re feeling. It is designed for parents experiencing or at risk of mild anxiety or depression, who are between 12 and 26 weeks pregnant.

Our PiM online groups are safe spaces where we support you with whatever emotions you’re feeling during pregnancy. PiM typically meets once a week for eight weeks. Sessions are for either parent. You can come on your own or bring a support person.

We’ll explore:
– Coping strategies
– How to understand your mental health
– Mindfulness and ways to boost your mood
– Relaxation
– Connecting with your baby

DATES
Tuesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th June & 7th, 14th, 21st July (you will need to be able to attend all the sessions)
TIME
6:30-8:00pm
LOCATION
Online via Zoom
COST
FREE

For more information and to register your interest in joining a group, please visit the Parents 1st website: Pregnancy in Mind – Parents 1st

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News, Opportunities

Community Support Volunteer Training with Parents 1st – June/July

The Essex Alliance is sharing this opportunity on behalf of Parents 1st.

Could you volunteer to make a difference of a lifetime? Help us to support parents through pregnancy, birth & beyond….

Join us for our Community Support volunteer training courses this June and July!

Having a baby should be an exciting life changing event for any parent. However, this is not the case for all parents – at the moment, we are experiencing a huge demand for emotional support pre- and post-birth from mothers, fathers and birthing people.

Peer support can be a lifeline for parents who are feeling vulnerable, anxious or isolated. Some friendly, informal and free peer support can make the difference of a lifetime. We are looking for kind, friendly individuals who have a listening ear, who are non-judgemental and who have experience and an understanding of the pressure of having a baby.

To help meet the demand for support for families across Essex, we’re looking for volunteers 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!

DATES
Wednesdays 17th & 24th June and 8th & 15th July 2026
TIME
10:00am-1:00pm
LOCATION
Corringham Fire Station, 37 Fobbing Rd, Corringham, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex SS17 9BG
COST
FREE

For more information and to sign up to the course, please visit the Parents 1st website:
https://parents1st.org.uk/activity/volunteer-training-south-essex-junejuly-2026

 

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News, Opportunities, Training

World Bee Day – 20 May

Bees play a vital role in our environment—and our local communities can play a role in protecting them too.

Across Essex, there are groups, gardens, and community projects helping to support pollinators and create greener spaces 🌱

👉 Discover what’s happening near you on Essex Map: https://www.essexmap.co.uk/

Are you part of a local environmental or community project?

Get listed and help more people connect with your work.

 

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: News