This is a place where you can find out about opportunities that are available to your organisation. From funding streams to events and training, The Essex Alliance will keep you informed.
Essex County Council is developing a new All-Age Carers Strategy — and we want to hear from you.
As part of our commitment to supporting carers of all ages, this strategy will set out a shared vision and priorities for how carers are supported now and in the future. To make sure it truly reflects the real experiences and needs of carers, we’re inviting unpaid carers to share their views through a public consultation.
A carer is anyone who provides unpaid help, care, or support to a relative, friend, or neighbour who couldn’t manage everyday life without them. We know that caring can be deeply rewarding but also brings challenges — and your insight is vital to shaping how we move forward.
By taking part in the short online survey, carers can help us:
Shape services that reflect carers’ real needs
Improve support for carers across all ages
Raise awareness of the vital role carers play
Influence decisions on policy and funding
Ensure carers’ voices are heard
The consultation is open until 4th November, and every response will help build a more supportive and inclusive system for carers in Essex.
We’d be very grateful if you could share this consultation link across your networks — with staff, community groups, and carers you work with — as well as through newsletters, websites, and social media. The more carers we hear from, the more meaningful and representative the strategy will be.
Together, we can make sure carers’ experiences shape a better future for all.
Mind in West Essex is looking for a Sanctuary Support Worker (Part-Time) to join our team supporting the mental wellbeing of people experiencing emotional crisis.
📍 Based in Harlow, with ability to travel across West Essex
⏰ 14–28 hours per week on a 4-week rota (7-hour shifts 4pm-11pm across 7 days a week including weekends and bank holidays)
💷 £12.56 per hour (time and a half on public holidays)
This 3-hour session builds an understanding of the importance of fairness and inclusivity in the workplace and wider society.
Understand the difference between equality and equity
Explore intersectionality, privilege, unconscious bias and discrimination
Discuss microaggressions and how they can escalate without intervention
Consider how collective trauma, cultural trauma and racial trauma can impact wellbeing and good mental health
Reflect on how we can create a more inclusive workplace and society
Whether you’re a team leader, HR professional, educator, or simply someone committed to positive change, this training will help you foster fairness in your community or workplace.
This World Mental Health Day (Friday 10 October), our friends at Renew Counselling, in partnership with Chelmsford City Council, will be creating a calm and welcoming space on Chelmsford High Street (outside Barclays) from 10am–4pm.
Everyone is invited to take a moment for their wellbeing and enjoy:
✨ Mindfulness and self-care activities, including mini massages from The Beauty Room ✨ Opportunities to chat about counselling and mental health support ✨ Fundraising to help keep counselling affordable and accessible for all
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has launched the Common Ground Award (CGA) — a new funding opportunity for voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations that bring people together from different backgrounds.
The Common Ground Award supports organisations that are helping to build stronger, more connected communities through shared spaces and activities. Funding can be used for the construction or renovation of facilities, or to purchase essential equipment that enables community engagement and service delivery.
Key details
Total funding available: Up to £1.7 million (2025/26)
Grant size: Up to £10,000 per successful applicant
Eligible applicants: VCSE organisations based and operating in England with charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic purposes
Application window: Opens 14 October and closes 21 November 2025
Funding awarded: January 2026
Spending deadline: 31 March 2026
Aims of the Common Ground Award
The programme seeks to:
Identify and reward good practice in building bridging social capital
Invest in physical spaces and equipment that support inclusive community activity
Foster a community of practice, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing between the VCSE sector and government
Eligible expenditure
Capital grants can fund:
New builds, refurbishments, or expansions of facilities that help connect communities
Essential equipment such as laptops, furniture, or other items necessary for running inclusive activities
Following the 2024-25 Healthier Habits Hubs that took place across the County, Essex County Council (ECC) have changed the structure based on feedback from both residents and providers.
From 3rd November 2025, this is your opportunity to get creative.
Do you have an idea for a project? Does your hub have the creativity to run a successful health related project?
If your hub has what it takes, now is your chance. Applications open from 3rd November 2025 for hubs to apply for up to £2,500 (£5,000 if partnering with another) to run a project that aligns to one or more of the outcomes in our Essex County Council Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities Business Plan 2025-2028 (Wellbeing, public health and communities business plan):
Healthy Weight
Smokefree 2030
Children and Young People
Housing and Health
Physical Activity
Inclusive Growth, work and health
NHS 10 Year plan
Healthy Communities
Vulnerable groups
ECC recognise the importance of communities being able to organise events of health importance as well as events that promote community cohesion and integration. Therefore, funding has been made available for communities in Essex to lead and organise events. These can be Health promotion, events that raise awareness of issues that affect the community and or events that bring communities together for collective reflection.
The Healthier Habits Fund will offer financial support to organisations to help deliver new events/projects in the County of Essex.
The fund can be used to book a space or pay for other associated event costs. For each event, a maximum of £2,500 will be made available, or for collaboration between organisations, grants of up to £5,000 will be made available.
ECC are keen to develop an interesting and successful year-round events calendar and would like to encourage new community leaders and groups to come forward. As part of this ambition, we are keen to see new events that will complement existing offers.
Applicants must agree that if my application is successful the money received will be used ONLY towards the project set out in this application and that I will supply evidence as required to the HHH project team in the form of photos and/or feedback from users of the project to demonstrate our impact and appropriate use of ECC funds.
Who can apply?
Registered charities and CICs with sound governance and accountability structures
Individuals affiliated to a registered group that supports Essex can apply where no other registered charity of CIC can be found
Profit companies, constituted groups or religious organisations
How to apply.
Applications for the Healthier Habits Hubs fund 2025/26 will open on Monday 3rd November 2025 and close on Sunday 30th November 2025.
*Please be aware we reserve the right to close the application form early on the basis the funds have been allocated to projects on a first come first served basis ahead of the closing date*
Your application will be reviewed by the Healthier Habits Hubs projects team within 1 week (7 working days) of receiving your application and a response will be sent to you within 14 days of receiving your application.
Essex Community Foundation (ECF) is seeking passionate and committed individuals to join our Board of Trustees and help guide our mission to support communities across Essex.
As some of our valued trustees step down after completing their terms, we are looking to strengthen and diversify our Board so that it truly reflects the communities and voluntary sector we serve. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of local philanthropy and making a lasting difference across Essex.
We’re Looking For:
We welcome applications from anyone with a passion for supporting communities, and we are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience or expertise in:
Charity and the Voluntary Sector
Finance and Investment
Grantmaking
Marketing and Communications
Philanthropy
If you know someone who would be a great fit, please encourage them to apply and share this opportunity within your networks.
Alongside our trustee recruitment, we are also seeking a Co-opted Member for our Finance and Investment Committee. This focused role offers an excellent opportunity for someone with investment expertise to make a meaningful contribution to our work.
We’re excited to launch the Your Essex Community Learning Series, brought to you by Active Essex in partnership with Essex communities and organisations. Through this series of free webinars and online seminars, we aim to support, equip and inspire community groups, voluntary organisations, local leaders and grassroots networks across Essex.
As part of the Your Essex Community place-based offer, these sessions are designed based on insights gathered directly from local communities. They focus on the issues, skills, and challenges that matter most — whether that’s funding, community engagement, impact evaluation, leadership, or inclusive communication.
Each session is hosted online, making it accessible across the county. You can join live, ask questions, engage with facilitators and peers — all with zero travel required.
Upcoming Sessions & What You’ll Learn
Here’s a rundown of the forthcoming Learning Series webinars (all free to attend):
Date / Time
Title
What You’ll Gain
23 October, 2-3pm
Securing Grant Funding Successfully
Tips, strategies, and real examples of how to write compelling proposals — from both small and large grant perspectives.
11 November, 10-11am
Utilising Marketing to Promote Your Offer
Practical marketing methods, language, campaign ideas, social media approaches — delivered by the Active Essex Marketing team.
11 November, 11am-12pm
Engaging Local Communities Effectively
Approaches to community leadership, resident-led initiatives, building belonging, and creating system change through local engagement.
3 December, 10.30-11.30am
Effective Leadership for VCS During Change
Navigating uncertainty in times of reform, funding shifts, and organisational pressures — resilience, courage and adaptive leadership.
21 January 2026, 12-1pm
Inclusive Language and Communication
Gain tools to foster equity, accessibility, and amplify community voice; explore the Social Model of Disability and inclusive communication.
5 February 2026, 4-5pm
How to Demonstrate Your Impact
Learn the fundamentals of impact measurement: planning, data collection, analysis, reporting — and making your case with confidence.
Whether you’re fairly new to running a community project or a seasoned lead, these sessions are built to add value — practical tools, peer learning, and insight to help your organisation grow stronger.
Why It Matters
In Essex, we see a wealth of voluntary organisations, resident groups, and community networks doing vital work. Yet many face shared challenges: limited funding, competing priorities, evolving local structures, and navigating change. The Learning Series is part of our commitment to help meet those challenges head on — not by prescribing solutions, but by building skills, sharing best practice, and growing collective capacity.
As we roll out more sessions, the Learning Series will evolve — shaped by your feedback and the emerging needs across the county.
Join Us
Sign up now to access the webinars and be part of a growing community of practice across Essex. You’ll be able to attend live and revisit recordings (where available).
Help shape the future of Crossroads Braintree & Chelmsford
We’re looking for compassionate, community-minded individuals to join our Board of Trustees. Whether you have lived experience, professional skills, or simply a passion for supporting unpaid family carers and older adults — your voice matters.
What you’ll gain:
✅ Use your skills for good
✅ Make a real difference in Mid Essex
✅ Be part of a warm, inclusive team
✅ No prior trustee experience needed — just commitment and care
Interested or want to learn more?
📩 Contact: Danni Perry
Finance and Business Development Manager
📧 braintreexroads@btconnect.com
📞 01376 529985
📍 Crossroads Braintree & Chelmsford, 8 Park Farm, Witham Road, Black Notley, Braintree CM77 8LQ
Are you looking to upskill, connect with others, and make a real difference in your community?
Every Child Online is seeking friendly Volunteer Ambassadors to help run our pop-up stalls across Essex.
As a Volunteer Ambassador, you’ll:
Promote online safety and digital inclusion
Raise awareness of our cause and support fundraising
Help children and young people access the tech they need to succeed in school and life
This is a flexible and rewarding opportunity where you can gain digital, client, and event skills, meet new people, and enjoy the satisfaction of helping others.
