The Essex Alliance is sharing this news on behalf of Community360.
Community360 are delighted to introduce our new suite of services, designed to better serve the needs and support the growth of charities, CICs, small businesses, and organisations in our communities.
Community Roots has been created to provide flexible, accessible and affordable financial support. With our values at the very core of our delivery – integrity, innovation, and collaboration – our aim is to offer practical, reliable help that reduces pressure, supports compliance, and lets you stay focused on delivering impact.
Our services include:
Payroll
Independent Examinations
Accounts Preparation
Bookkeeping
Personal Tax (Making Tax Digital)
You might be interested in one or all of the portfolio on offer, and we would welcome conversations about how we can make this work for your organisation. If you would like to find out more or arrange a conversation, please get in touch at crservices@community360.org.uk or visit our website at https://community360.org.uk/community-roots-memberships/
The Essex Alliance is sharing this news on behalf of Home-Start Essex.
Families with young children across the Epping Forest District are at risk of losing a vital, free support service unless urgent funding is secured. Home-Start Essex is calling on individuals, businesses and the wider community to rally behind its Family Support Group in Waltham Abbey, a weekly lifeline for families with children under give facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
Without immediate financial support, this essential service which supports 20 vulnerable families each year faces closure.
“This group is more than just a weekly meeting; it’s a safe haven. For many parents, it’s the only place they feel heard, supported and connected.” – Nic O’Brien, CEO of Home-Start Essex.
The Family Support Group provides a welcoming, nurturing space for families dealing with issues such as:
Financial hardship and poverty
Isolation and loneliness
Poor mental health
Bereavement
Housing insecurity
Domestic abuse
One parent shared: “The family group was the first time I had properly talked to a group of adults since leaving the refuge nearly a year ago. It was good to listen to other people’s views, to open up about my anxiety and share tips”.
An urgent crowdfunding appeal launches on 14th May, with all donations matched pound-for-pound by the Aviva Foundation until 24th June 2026, doubling the impact for families in crisis. This means that:
A £30 donation becomes £60
A £250 donation becomes £500
Every pound donated up to £250 will be doubled, but only until Wednesday 24th June 2026.
All funds raised will directly sustain the group.
Help keep this essential service alive and ensure families in Epping Forest District continue to receive the support they desperately need. Donate online here:
A series of monthly Recovery from Addiction workshops are being delivered by experts in their fields. These are intended to educate and inform both service users, professionals, and anyone who has an interest in these topics. Sessions will include time for Q&As.
The topic for this month’s workshop is Chemsex – A Growing Epidemic and How to Stay Safe. This session focuses on chemsex, offering clear, non-judgemental information alongside space for open and respectful discussion.
Delivered by Amy Brown, Health Promotion Specialist at Essex Sexual Health Service, the workshop will cover:
What chemsex is and why it happens
Risks to physical and mental health
Harm reduction and support options
These sessions are open to anyone with an interest in recovery and wellbeing, including people in recovery, professionals and members of the wider community.
No prior knowledge needed. Just come along and take part in a supportive, welcoming space.
This is a drop-in session and part of the Rainbow Recovery workshop series. You’re welcome to attend one or join multiple sessions.
This week is Dying Matters Awareness Week (4–10 May) – a national campaign led by Hospice UK encouraging more open conversations about death, dying and grief. The aim is to break down stigma, help people feel less alone, and make it easier to find support when it’s needed.
If you’re looking for support in Essex — or if your organisation offers services that could help others — The Essex Map is here for you.
💙 Whether you provide bereavement support, counselling, end of life care, community groups, practical advice or wellbeing services, you can add your organisation to the map and help people find the support they need.
🔎 And if you or someone you know needs guidance, care or support, you can explore local services here: https://www.essexmap.co.uk/
Because talking matters. Support matters. Community matters.
Mind in West Essex currently have 2 vacancies within their Schools Mental Health Support Team.
They are recruiting 2 Qualified Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) – 1 is a permanent post and the other is a 12-month fixed contract.
Working in Primary, Secondary and Further Education settings in West Essex, with an office base in Harlow. Some remote working is possible. Occasional travel across West Essex may be required.
Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
£33,677 inc fringe allowance and 26-27 pay uplift (Negotiable
depending upon experience)
Closing date: 29th May 2026
For full details, including job description and person specification, CLICK HERE.
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
Working in Primary, Secondary and Further Education settings in West Essex, with an office base in Harlow. Some remote working is possible. Occasional travel across West Essex may be required.
Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
£33,677 inc fringe allowance and 26-27 pay uplift (Negotiable
Closing date: 29th May 2026
