If your website isn’t accessible, you could be unintentionally shutting people out.
Accessibility isn’t just a technical requirement – it’s about making sure everyone can use and benefit from your website, including people with disabilities, older users, and those accessing services in different ways.
To help organisations take practical steps towards more inclusive digital spaces, Few and Far® are hosting a free webinar: “A Web for All.” on Wednesday 11th March 2026 at 11am.
What the webinar will cover
This two-hour session focuses on simple, practical ways to improve the accessibility and usability of your website. Rather than theory or jargon, the webinar will provide clear guidance and tools that you can start using straight away.
Topics will include:
Practical steps to improve website accessibility
Common barriers that prevent people from using websites
Tools and techniques to help you assess and improve your site
Realistic changes you can make without needing major redevelopment
Who should attend?
This webinar is ideal for:
Organisations responsible for managing a website
Communications and marketing teams
Community groups and charities
Anyone interested in making their online services more inclusive
BelievePerform is pleased to be working with Active Essex Foundation to deliver a bespoke version of their Thrive programme, designed specifically for VCSE sector organisations working with young people and grounded in the core principles of common low-level psychological therapy approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and positive psychology/mindset.
This programme is not intended to train attendees as therapists, rather it provides evidence-based tools and techniques derived from these common psychological therapy approaches that can be used to support young people aged 11 to 25 in building emotional resilience and practical skills to help them thrive.
Participants will receive some pre-reading/video that they will be expected to engage with ahead of the session, as well as content to access six short explainer videos, six practical tools, and six supporting infographics to reinforce and extend their learning after attending this workshop. Through this workshop, attendees will develop a foundational understanding of CBT and positive psychology theory and its practical applications.
They will learn how to apply some basic CBT-informed interventions in their work with young people to positively influence mental health and wellbeing. Participants will also gain deeper insight into common mental health challenges and the role they play in providing safe, informed support. Attendees will be supported to understand the importance of boundaries and in identifying appropriate referral pathways when further support is needed.
It will be expected that all attendees attend the full day to complete the training and to receive a certificate.
Essex County Council & Connect Futures is promoting a series of free online workshops designed to help people feel safer, more confident, and better informed when navigating online information.
We’re asking partners to help spread the word through newsletters, networks and community channels – and please do encourage onward sharing.
👨👩👧 Workshops for Parents
Misinformation, Community and Online Safety
These sessions support parents to better understand:
What misinformation and disinformation are, and where they’re most commonly encountered
How to recognise symbols of hate and misleading online narratives
What is legal and illegal online in relation to hate and harmful content
Practical ways to talk to children about what they’re seeing online
The workshops are welcoming, interactive and delivered by trained facilitators, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share concerns. 📅 Multiple dates available | ⏱ 90 minutes | 💻 Online | Free to attend
Spot common tricks used in misleading posts, viral rumours and emotionally charged content
Understand how images, headlines and algorithms influence reactions
Recognise how scams, fraud and misinformation often overlap
Use simple tools to check whether information is trustworthy before sharing
No technical skills are needed – just curiosity. Sessions are friendly, jargon-free and focused on staying safe online. 📅 Multiple dates available | ⏱ 90 minutes | 💻 Online | Free to attend
There will also be train-the-trainer sessions (one for each workshop). If you know practitioners or community leaders who may be interested, please get in touch to receive full details. They are also very welcome to attend a standard session first to see how it’s delivered.
An overview of how to spot, and help, people with debt or money worries.
Helping Clients in Problem Debt: Recognising Early Signs and Helping Clients Before Crisis
Debt and financial pressure affect millions of people, yet the early signs often remain hidden. Many people do not recognise their situation as problem debt, or feel embarrassed to talk about it until things reach a crisis point.
This practical and informative session is designed for frontline staff, support workers, housing teams, carers, community organisations, and anyone who regularly works with people who may be struggling financially. The session reflects real examples and insights from Citizens Advice work with clients across the region.
You will learn how to spot early indicators of problem debt, understand how financial stress affects wellbeing, and confidently start supportive, non-judgemental conversations that help clients get the right help sooner – recognising always that full, structured and options based advice can only be provided by providers regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (such as ourselves).
What the session covers
What problem debt looks like in everyday life
The difference between priority and non-priority debts and why it matters
Early behavioural and financial warning signs
How the debt spiral develops and how it affects physical and mental wellbeing
How to have sensitive, supportive conversations that build trust
Effective signposting and referral, including when to escalate and how to avoid overstepping into regulated advice
Local trends, common vulnerabilities, and real-life case studies
Practical tools and resources to help clients stabilise their situation
Self-care guidance for frontline workers who handle difficult conversations
Who this event is for
Anyone working with clients or service users, including:
Housing and tenancy teams
Carers and health professionals
Community and voluntary groups
Support workers and caseworkers
Charity staff and advice partners
What you will leave with
Greater confidence in recognising early signs of financial distress
Practical strategies for supportive and constructive conversations
Knowledge of trusted referral pathways and free debt-advice services
Insights that help prevent crisis and improve client wellbeing
A stronger understanding of client vulnerability and the impact of financial stress
Trauma isn’t always visible, but it can change how someone thinks, feels and acts. Understanding trauma can help us make sure people feel safe and supported.
If you work in a helping profession (like health care, mental health, emergency services, education or youth services), or you simply want to be more trauma-informed, don’t miss Mind in West Essex‘s upcoming workshop.
Trauma & Recovery Awareness helps you understand brain development and how this impacts behaviour and life chances. Topics include:
💙 The impact of trauma
💙 Toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences
💙 Neuroscience research in relation to trauma
💙 Working in a trauma-informed way
💙 How vicarious trauma affects us and those around us
💙 Practical resources for self care for ourselves and those we support.
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.
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).
Looking to save money, eat well, and meet new people? Join us for Batch Cooking on a Budget – a fun and relaxed series of cooking sessions designed to help you make delicious meals without breaking the bank.
This six-session programme is perfect for everyone – no experience needed! Each session is packed with friendly vibes, hands-on learning, and plenty of practical tips.
Here’s what you can expect: ✅ All ingredients and equipment provided – just bring yourself! ✅ Free Hygiene Level 1 course & certificate – a great addition to your CV. ✅ Take home your own slow cooker and utensils at the end of the course!
When: Every other week, starting 10th September, 12:15 PM – 2:00 PM Where: The Hive URC, North Street, Southminster, CM0 7DF
Transpire Training is excited to share the Mindful Impact Initiative– a program designed to make mental health training more affordable and accessible for front-line volunteers and charity staff who support individuals and communities.
Through this initiative, Transpire Training provides:
✅ 50% funding towards any of our Mental Health training for volunteers ✅ 30% funding towards any of our Mental Health training for charity staff ✅ FREE monthly Mental Health Awareness webinars offering simple, effective ways to support mental health, build knowledge, and help break stigma
The goal of the initiative is to empower those working on the front lines with the skills and confidence to support others experiencing mental health challenges.
Mindful Impact is a dedicated initiative by Transpire Training, aimed at empowering charitable organisations and volunteers through accessible and affordable Mental Health First Aid and Awareness training. This initiative recognises the invaluable contributions of charitable organisations and volunteers and seeks to support their missions by equipping them with essential Mental Health skills.
