News

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

Diabetes Awareness Week – 8–14 June

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.

📍 Explore the map: www.essexmap.co.uk

📢 Add your organisation or service listing today and help make support more visible during Diabetes Week and beyond.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: News

Carers Week – 8–14 June

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.

📍 Explore the map:
www.essexmap.co.uk

📢 Add your organisation or service listing today and help make support more visible during Carers Week and beyond.

#CarersWeek #CarersWeek2026 #UnpaidCarers #Essex #CommunitySupport #EssexMap #Wellbeing #SupportForCarers #CommunityConnections

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

World Environment Day – 5 June

 

 

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

Essex County Council Launches ‘Clear the Air’ Campaign

What is ‘Clear the Air’?

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

Partner resources can be downloaded here: Support the campaign

Author: Niamh Gibson
Posted:
Categories: Article, News

Volunteers’ Week (1st – 7th June)

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

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