The University of Manchester, local Mind charities and Tend VR are conducting a study exploring an innovative way to deliver mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), an approach to helping people with depression and/or anxiety. We are recruiting adults who have experienced recent anxiety or depressive symptoms to test this innovative approach over a 10-12-week period. The delivery of this mental health innovation will be at Mind in West Essex, 45 Stortford Road, Dunmow and 10-11 Corner House, Bushfair, Harlow.
Get involved
If you would like to take part, we will be asking you to complete questionnaires and possibly an interview to provide feedback on your experience receiving this innovative approach to MBCT delivery. The programme and the VR equipment will be provided, free of charge but you will need to have access to a smart phone so that you can download a mobile app that accompanies the MBCT programme.
If you are interested in participating in this mental health study and advancing the progress of VR to improve mental health, please complete the Expression of Interest Form (EOI): https://form.jotform.com/250412035857352
Get in touch
If you have any questions after you have looked at the EOI then please email research@tend-vr.com. You can find a taster video of the immersive VR programme here:
On behalf of the NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), Healthwatch Essex have launched a project focusing on ‘Children’s Oral Health Experiences in West Essex’.
As part of our project, we have designed a survey to find out about your child’s experiences of using local NHS dental services.
What are your experiences of visiting a dentist with your child?
Following the survey, participants can also share their experiences in an optional one-to-one interview. Anyone can sign up to take part via our contact form through the webpage above.
(All participants will be kept anonymous and any information you provide is strictly confidential. To be able to participate you must live in or near West Essex.)
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspects of the project further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at lily.boag@healthwatchessex.org.uk.
The Hertfordshire & West Essex VCFSE Alliance is hosting a key event for voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations in West Essex.
This session is designed for senior staff and trustees who want to help shape the Alliance’s future and strengthen the sector’s role in the local health and care system.
Event Details
📅 Monday, 10th March 2025
⏲ 12:00 – 15:00
📍 The Link, Harlow
Why Attend?
This workshop is an opportunity to:
📌 Help shape the Alliance’s vision, values, and governance
📌 Contribute to a communications plan that meets sector needs
📌 Inform the Alliance’s key priorities and work plan
Local community kindness project Kinder Essex (formerly United in Kind) began in 2019 with an aim to mobilise communities and develop local partnerships to tackle the problem of loneliness and social isolation. Feelings of loneliness and isolation can impact both mental and physical health which is why it’s crucial to address the wider causes of ill health, not just the symptoms.
Following the successful pilot funded by Essex County Council, RCCE now delivers the Kinder Essex project across Essex (Excluding Southend & Thurrock) as part of the Essex Wellbeing Service.
Over the past five years, Kinder Essex has expanded its reach and impact, thanks to the incredible efforts of our 12 dedicated coaches who work tirelessly in their areas to enable acts of kindness, connect people to local groups and activities, and support wider health and wellbeing.
Here are some of their extraordinary achievements so far:
Helped more than 20,000 people across the county to become more connected.
Encouraged nearly 46,000 acts of kindness over 5 years
Recruited over 500 new volunteers in 2024 alone.
Supported more than 1500 new initiatives to increase community connections over 5 years
Assisted over 250 groups and organizations in setting up new activities in 2024.
One small act of kindness can make a big difference to someone and means anyone can get involved in doing something nice for their community without committing to long term volunteering.
Our coaches are here to help if you want to get something off the ground or get involved in acts of kindness. If you already run a group but are interested in finding out more about Kinder Essex we’d love to hear from you.
To find your Kinder Essex Coach please click here.
We are also on social media, so you can connect with us on Facebook @KinderEssex
To find out more about Kinder Essex projects please click HERE.
Are you a qualified supervisor looking to refine your skills and expand your expertise?
Renew Counselling and Training is offering a series of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) modules designed to support supervisors in developing their professional practice.
Whether you’re interested in exploring creative approaches, gaining confidence in group supervision, or enhancing your ability to support practitioners in specialist settings, these modules provide valuable learning opportunities.
About Renew Counselling and Training
Renew is a well-established counselling charity with over 120 years of experience. Committed to making counselling accessible and affordable, Renew also focuses on equipping professionals with the necessary tools to navigate the evolving landscape of therapy.
These CPD modules form part of our Supervision Diploma but can also be taken as standalone courses.
Who Can Apply?
These CPD modules are open to qualified supervisors of counsellors, psychotherapists, and coaches who hold accreditation with professional bodies such as BACP and NCPS.
For more details on how to apply, contact Michelle Allen at michelleallen@renew.org.uk or call 01245 264348.
Upcoming CPD Modules
Working Creatively in Supervision (SA11)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 26 April & 10 May | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Learn how to incorporate creative approaches to enhance the supervision process.
Group Supervision (SA12)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 17 & 24 May | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Develop the skills needed to facilitate and manage group supervision effectively.
Online and Phone Supervision (SA13) – ONLINE
📅 Dates: Saturdays 7 & 14 June | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Enhance your ability to supervise practitioners remotely. (Suitable for those with prior experience in online/phone therapy.)
Supervising in Organisational Contexts (SA14)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 21 & 28 June | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Understand the challenges and responsibilities of supervising within an organisational setting.
Supervising Work with Children and Young People (SA15)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 5, 12 & 19 July | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Develop your ability to support supervisees working with children and young people. (Suitable for those with prior experience in CYP therapy.)
Why Invest in CPD?
Professional development is key to staying at the forefront of counselling and supervision practices. These CPD modules provide an opportunity to refine your skills, enhance your confidence, and connect with other professionals in the field.
For full details and to register, visit our website or contact Michelle Allen at michelleallen@renew.org.uk.
Essex Frontline are looking to keep the Essex Frontline directories as up-to-date as possible, ensuring services remain accurate and accessible for those in need.
Frontline is a community project. It helps frontline workers and the public to quickly find details on local health and wellbeing services and to contact services through call back and referral options.
Ace Music Therapy CIC’s FREE group for Adult Carers, Beat Retreat, a drumming music therapy group exclusively for carers, will be starting soon in Maldon thanks to funding from Essex County Council’s Carers Community Fund.
The group will meet on Wednesday’s for 9 weeks, between the 5th of March 2025 & 21st of May 2025 (Every Wednesday except from – 9th April, 16th April & 30th April)
📆 Dates & Time: Wednesday’s, 5th March – 21st May, 12–1 PM
📍 Location: West Maldon Community Centre, Sunbury Way, Maldon CM9 6YH (Directions here)
This is a fantastic opportunity for carers to take time for themselves, connect with others, and experience the therapeutic power of drumming.
We are delighted to be supporting for the fourth consecutive year, the Eden Project Communities “Month of Community” in June. As part of this initiative, we are holding our Unpaid Carers Raceday on Thursday 12th June at Chelmsford City Racecourse.
At this raceday, we will once again be offering unpaid carers the opportunity to apply for 2 free general admission tickets. We have attached the 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.
Also, this year, as part of our 10th Anniversary celebrations, we are pledging to raise £100K for 10 charities and to provide activities and events alongside this. These charities are across a diverse sector, and the cause they represent will have an impact on most people or someone they know during their lives. I have attached more information for your reference.
One of the charities we will be supporting is Dementia UK and their specialist Admiral Nurses by inviting members of the local community and their loved ones who are living with this condition to a cuppa and piece of cake
Join us in a safe space with Dementia UK on hand for advice and support, meet a horse and join in an activity.
At just £5 per person, all profit will be donated to Dementia UK.
DATE: Thursday 20th March 2025 (pre-booking essential)
VENUE: Chelmsford City Racecourse, Great Leighs, CM3 1QP
Little Wings of Hope, a dedicated baby loss charity, is launching a specialised workplace training program in partnership with esteemed psychotherapist and training facilitator, Paula Abramson. With extensive experience in bereavement support for families and professional training, Paula will lead this vital session designed to help businesses better support employees affected by baby loss.
Why This Training Matters:
Baby loss is a deeply sensitive issue that can have a significant emotional and professional impact on individuals in the workplace. This training will equip attendees with essential skills and knowledge to:
✅ Offer compassionate support to employees experiencing loss
✅ Create a more understanding and inclusive workplace culture
✅ Navigate difficult conversations with confidence
We welcome HR professionals, managers, leaders, and anyone responsible for staff well-being to join us. By attending, you’ll gain invaluable insights that you can take back to your workplace to foster a more supportive and empathetic environment.
📍 Location: Rivenhall Oaks Golf Club, Forest Rd, Evans Way, Witham CM8 2FX
📅 Date & Time: Friday 10th October | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
💷 Cost: £60 per person
