3rd December is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities — a reminder of how important it is that everyone can access the support they need in their community.
The Essex Map brings together local disability-friendly groups and services, from social clubs and peer support to accessible activities and wellbeing resources.
Are you part of a great group that isn’t listed yet? Add it HERE to help others find them or email: communications@essexalliance.org.uk and we can add it for you.
Looking for support? Start searching on The Essex Map today.
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).
We’re pleased to invite your organisation to apply to become a delivery partner for the Place-Based Support Element of the Your Essex Community Programme – a coordinated effort to strengthen and empower the voluntary and community sector (VCS) across Essex.
As part of this offer, we’re seeking organisations with experience in delivering high-quality, locally relevant infrastructure support – such as training, mentoring, peer learning, network facilitation, and organisational development – to help grow skills and resilience across VCS groups.
This resource is designed to respond directly to the unique needs of each area. The priorities for each district and borough have been informed by local listening events, feedback from VCS organisations, and system insight. Applicants should demonstrate their understanding of the local landscape, and proposals must align with the identified Place Plan priorities which can be found in the attached guidance document.
We’re particularly interested in working with partners who:
Understand the local VCS context and existing networks
Bring subject expertise in areas highlighted in place priorities
Are open to collaboration, innovation, and sharing learning across sectors
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted via our online form here by Sunday 27th July, 11:59pm. The full Guidance for Applicants document can be found attached.
