This is where we’ll post third sector news and important updates that are useful for your organisation.
June is Pride Month.
Celebrate diversity and discover local groups that support the LGBTQ+ community across Essex. š
Find inclusive services, events, and resources near you with The Essex Map šŗļø
ā”ļø www.essexmap.co.uk
Join Braintree District Council for a day of giving back and making a difference in our community at Volunteer Day!
Welcome to Volunteer Day!
Come join us onĀ Wed Jun 04 2025Ā atĀ 10:00 AMĀ atĀ Braintree Town HallĀ for a day of giving back to our community. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or looking to get involved for the first time, there’s something for everyone at this event.
Help out with local projects, meet like-minded individuals, and make a positive impact in our town. Together, we can make a difference!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with others and make a difference. See you there!
Register HERE today and claim your free goodie bag on the day!Ā
Join MIND Mid and North East Essex for an important and welcoming morning focused on menās mental health at the upcoming Menās Wellbeing Event, taking place on Tuesday 10th June 2025 at Colchester Rugby Club (Raven Bar), CO4 5YX.
Date: Tuesday 10th June 2025
Time: 08:00am ā 10:30am
Location: Colchester Rugby Club (Raven Bar), CO4 5YX
Tickets: Ā£5 per person
Includes: A breakfast bap and hot drink
This event provides a space for men to come together, share experiences, and start conversations around mental health in a supportive environment. Whether you’re looking to open up, listen, or simply connect with others, this is a valuable opportunity to prioritise wellbeing.
Tickets are just Ā£5 and include breakfast. Spaces are limited, so book early to secure your spot.
š Reserve your place now at mnessexmind.org/mens-health
Letās make time to talk, support each other, and raise awareness around menās mental health.
Healthwatch Essex are delighted to announce that the Expressions of Trauma exhibition, hosted by our Trauma Ambassador Group, will be running at The Harwich Arts & Heritage Centre from 20th ā 29th June 2025.
This instalment of the exhibition coincides with the Harwich Festival of the Arts ā 10 days of live music, theatre, art, comedy, workshops, dance and more. Find out more about the festivalĀ here.
A mixed media collection of works, Expressions of Trauma features artwork illustrating personal experiences of trauma by giving an insight into how people use creative outlets to express themselves during difficult times. People from across Essex with lived experience of trauma have come together to collaborate on this exhibition, which aims to raise awareness and understanding of trauma and its significant effects.
Allie Watson, from the Healthwatch Essex Trauma Ambassador Group, explains how important she finds using creative outlets:
āArt has been lifesaving on many occasions in helping me cope with my trauma. Art helps me to express things that I find very difficult to put into words. It is a fundamental part of my life now to keep myself well and is something I turn to in crisis.ā
Please be aware that this exhibition includes art covering sensitive themes including bereavement, abuse, chronic pain and forced adoption, among others. It may be triggering for some individuals. We advise that it may not be suitable for those under the age of 18, and that those below that age who do visit be accompanied by an adult.
The exhibition is open between 10am and 4pm 20th-29th June 2025 at Harwich Arts & Heritage Centre, Main Road, Harwich, CO12 4AJ. It is closed on Sundays.
Sharon Westfield de Cortez
Information & Guidance Manager Healthwatch Essex
š Job Opportunity ā Sanctuary Service Manager
š Colchester & Clacton | š· Ā£30,900 FTE | š 37.5 hrs, flexible shifts incl. some weekends
Our friends at Mid and North East Essex Mind are recruiting!
Theyāre looking for a passionate and experienced Service Manager to help lead their North East Essex Sanctuary ā a vital out-of-hours mental health support service.
In this role, youāll:
āļø Support and manage a dedicated frontline team
āļø Oversee daily service operations
āļø Work closely with local partners to ensure people in crisis get the right support
If youāve managed mental health or crisis services and care about making a real difference, this could be the role for you.
Find out more and apply: https://tinyurl.com/NEESanctuaryServiceManager
Creative You, Creative Client ā A Renew Workshop for Counsellors
Weāre excited to announce a new workshop designed to help counsellors explore the power of creativity in their practice.Ā Creative You, Creative ClientĀ is a one-day introduction to how creativity can enhance therapeutic practice.
This workshop will give you a deeper understanding of your own creative potential and offer practical tools for encouraging creativity in clients. Weāll explore why creativity is essential in therapy, address common barriers to creative expression, and share simple techniques you can start using with clients right away.
Who is this for?Ā Counsellors and trainee counsellors from all modalities interested in developing their own and their clientsā creativity
When?Ā 10am ā 4pm, Saturday 7th June 2025
Where?Ā Renew Counselling and Training, Sadlers House, 2 Legg Street, Chelmsford CM1 1AH
Price:Ā Ā£125.00 (please note a Ā£50 deposit is required to secure your place)
Enquiries:Ā michelleallen@renew.org.ukĀ | 01245 264348
Are you passionate about creating a society where every older person lives a happy, connected, and dignified life?
Age Well East is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to join us as our next Chair of Trustees. This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact across one of the UKās most populous and diverse counties.
As Chair, you will:
Provide strategic leadership to guide the next phase of our development.
Act as line manager to the CEO, supporting and challenging to drive excellence.
Champion good governance and help us grow our reach and impact.
Weāre looking for someone who shares our commitment to empowering people to age well, with the experience and insight to lead a passionate and dedicated Board.
The expected time commitment is aroundĀ 2ā3 days per month, aggregated across the month to support flexibility. Board meetings are held quarterly (mostly via video call), with additional engagement as needed.
To ensure a smooth handover, the successful candidate will be invited toĀ Co-Chair alongside our current Chair, Nick Avery. The length of this transition period is flexible and will be tailored to the new Chairās preference, with full transition expected by early 2026 at the latest.
Ready to make a difference?
š Learn more and apply here: https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/chair-trustees-546
Together, we can create a future where everyone can age well.
Empower yourself with the essential skills to support and advocate for vulnerable clients in our comprehensive 4 hour course on Supporting Vulnerable Clients. This course is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and techniques needed to navigate complex situations containing , vulnerability, trauma, communication styles, and more.
Moving beyond theory, this course offers participants hands-on skills practice and immersive activities to deepen their understanding of trauma and trauma responses. Join us in this engaging virtual session to elevate your ability to make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable clients.
Professionals learn to deliver disappointing news with sensitivity, navigating emotional responses such as anger, upset, and blame. Techniques for gracefully concluding conversations are explored, ensuring that participants leave with the skills to handle even the most challenging client interactions.
Whilst this course is designed for Immigration Advisors, Solicitors and those working with clients in a range of capacities, this is an open course to individuals with experiences in alternative fields and available to those with an interest in attending.
The Compassionate Colchester Network is thrilled to confirm that our next Meetup is being hosted by RAMA at RAMA House, 31 Elm Lane, Colchester onĀ Friday 6thĀ June, and we hope that you can join us?
š«¶Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Compassionate Community MeetupsĀ are an opportunityĀ to be part of a special group of people, places and projects who are helping build networks of support for others experiencing lifeās biggest challenges.
šĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā We will start with a cuppa at 10am and introās fromĀ RAMAĀ andĀ The Cinnamon Trust, who will share how they are supporting local communities and collaborating with community ambassadors.
šĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā A group wellbeing walk will start at 11am for those who wish to participate.
ā¤ļø Ā Ā Ā Ā These really are fantastic events that bring communities together, and we encourage you to invite others who can bring kindness and compassion to Colchester.
The Compassionate Colchester Network
Follow Compassionate Communities activity in northeast EssexĀ atĀ www.sthelena.org.uk/compassionĀ |Ā FacebookĀ Ā | Ā LinkedIn
