News

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

Job Opportunity – Sanctuary Service Manager

💙 Job Opportunity – Sanctuary Service Manager

📍 Colchester & Clacton | 💷 £30,900 FTE | 🕒 37.5 hrs, flexible shifts incl. some weekends

Our friends at Mid and North East Essex Mind are recruiting!

They’re looking for a passionate and experienced Service Manager to help lead their North East Essex Sanctuary — a vital out-of-hours mental health support service.

In this role, you’ll:
✔️ Support and manage a dedicated frontline team
✔️ Oversee daily service operations
✔️ Work closely with local partners to ensure people in crisis get the right support

If you’ve 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

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News, Opportunities

Calling all counsellors or trainee counsellors..

Creative You, Creative Client – A Renew Workshop for Counsellors

We’re excited to announce a new workshop designed to help counsellors explore the power of creativity in their practice. Creative You, Creative Client 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. We’ll 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? Counsellors and trainee counsellors from all modalities interested in developing their own and their clients’ creativity
When? 10am – 4pm, Saturday 7th June 2025
Where? Renew Counselling and Training, Sadlers House, 2 Legg Street, Chelmsford CM1 1AH
Price: £125.00 (please note a £50 deposit is required to secure your place)
Enquiries: michelleallen@renew.org.uk | 01245 264348

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News, Opportunities, Training

📣 Opportunity to Lead with Purpose – Chair of Trustees, Age Well East

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 UK’s 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.

We’re 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 around 2–3 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 to Co-Chair alongside our current Chair, Nick Avery. The length of this transition period is flexible and will be tailored to the new Chair’s preference, with full transition expected by early 2026 at the latest.

Ready to make a difference?

👉 Learn more and apply here: https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/opp/chair-trustees-546

Together, we can create a future where everyone can age well.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: News, Opportunities

Gain Essential Skills For Working With Vulnerable Clients: Develop The Skills & Strategies To Support Them

Supporting Vulnerable Clients Course

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.

Find out more and book here.

 

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News, Training

📣 Join us at RAMA House, Colchester, for our next Compassionate Community Meetup…

The Compassionate Colchester Network is thrilled to confirm that our next Meetup is being hosted by RAMA at RAMA House, 31 Elm Lane, Colchester on Friday 6th June, and we hope that you can join us?

🫶        Compassionate Community Meetups are an opportunity to be part of a special group of people, places and projects who are helping build networks of support for others experiencing life’s biggest challenges.

🌞        We will start with a cuppa at 10am and intro’s from RAMA and The Cinnamon Trust, who will share how they are supporting local communities and collaborating with community ambassadors.

👟        A group wellbeing walk will start at 11am for those who wish to participate.

❤️     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 Essex at www.sthelena.org.uk/compassion | Facebook  |  LinkedIn

 

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

Want to share your story and make a difference?

The NHS in Hertfordshire and West Essex is making a short video to help health and care staff better understand how to give older people more choice when it comes to their healthcare options — especially for those who may be living with frailty. For example, some older patients can be taken to hospital and not offered other care options. We want to change that by showing how care can be more personal, more flexible, and closer to home.

This is a great chance to:

  • Tell your story.
  • Explain the importance of shared decision making.
  • Make a real difference to how care is delivered.

We’re looking for people aged 65+ from all walks of life who have recently used NHS services to share their experiences on camera.

We would love to film in a location that works best for you, whether this is in your home or in your local community.

Filming is planned for the last week of May 2025.

Would you like to get involved?

Please email eleanor.turner-moss2@nhs.net by Wednesday 21 May for more information.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: News

Join Chelmsford Star Co-op to help clean up Central Park in Chelmsford…

Chelmsford Star Co-op is calling on volunteers to participate in the Big Co-op Clean Up at Central Park, Chelmsford. This community-driven event aims to bring together residents, families, and local groups to help keep our cherished green spaces clean and vibrant.

  • Date & Time: Friday 27th June 2025: 2pm – 3.30pm

  • LocationCentral Park, Chelmsford 

  • Meeting PointMeet at the gazebo at Bell Meadow CM2 0PD

Please wear sturdy footwear.

Volunteers will be provided with all necessary equipment, including litter pickers, gloves, high-visibility vests, and bin bags. Please bring your own if you can.

Why volunteer?

  • Make a Visible ImpactYour efforts will contribute to a cleaner, more inviting park for everyone to enjoy.

  • Community EngagementMeet like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference in Chelmsford.

Call 0800 254 0404 or email: Membership@chelmsfordstar.coop

Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or trying it for the first time, your contribution is valuable and appreciated. 

 

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

Supporting Carers Webinars – What professionals need to know

🎉 Carers Week: 9–15 June 🎉
To mark Carers Week, Essex County Council and partners are hosting daily bite-size webinars to help professionals identify carers early and signpost them to the right support.

📍 Open to all front-line professionals and services across Essex
🖥️ Hosted on Microsoft Teams

🔍 Each session covers a key area:

  • 9 JuneSupport for young carers

  • 10 JuneSupport for adult carers

  • 11 JuneSupporting carers of people with dementia

  • 12 JuneAdvocacy support for carers

  • 13 JuneEmployer support for working carers

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and improve outcomes for carers in your community.

📅 View the schedule and book your place: essex.gov.uk/carers-webinars

#CarersWeek #EssexCarers #SupportingCarers #FrontlineProfessionals #ECCEvents

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News, Opportunities

Unpaid Carer’s Raceday at Chelmsford City Racecourse: Thursday, 12th June

Chelmsford City Racecouse are delighted to be supporting for the fourth consecutive year, the Eden Project Communities “Month of Community” in June. As part of this initiative, they are holding an Unpaid Carers Raceday on Thursday 12th June at Chelmsford City Racecourse.

See the event poster here

At this race day, we will once again be offering unpaid carers the opportunity to apply for 2 free general admission tickets.  Please use this application form for applying for the tickets.

Please be aware that this is for carers to attend without their dependants, to provide them with some respite enjoying an evening at the races.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News

Make a difference in a child’s life

Essex County Council is seeking compassionate individuals to join their community of foster carers. With more children than ever needing a safe and loving home, your support can make a world of difference.

Essex County Council offer exceptional support, award-winning training, competitive fees and have a whole community around you. New foster carers in 2025 will receive a £2000 welcome bonus. With various fostering options to suit your lifestyle, there’s never been better time to foster.

Become a foster carer and provide a child with the safe and loving home they deserve. Learn more at an information event where you can meet foster carers and ask questions. Join them in-person on Saturday 17 May or find a virtual event.

Watch the video here: There’s never been a better time to foster – Essex County Council

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: News, Opportunities