A team of researchers at the University of Essex in collaboration with Essex based local authority, third sector and NHS staff as well as people with lived experience of mental distress have developed a signposting tool “CoSign”. The development process was supported by NIHR ARC East of England.
What is CoSign?
CoSign was designed to support individuals over 18 to identify wider determinants (e.g. relationships, work, family, housing etc)that may be triggering their current emotional distress and to facilitate signposting to appropriate community-based support. CoSign is not an assessment or diagnosis tool and is not an outcome measure. Neither is CoSign an asset map or attempting to replace existing asset maps and search tools, since the main aim of CoSign is to help users identify what kind of support to start looking for rather than to provide an exhaustive list of support services. The signposts generated by CoSign signpost individuals to support/services in Essexor national advice services that match the user’s specific challenges. Users are also directed to the Essex Map, Frontline and other local maps for more detailed, localised searches.
Although designed for individual use, CoSign could also be used by professionals (e.g. social prescribers, community workers, GPs, student support workers) working collaboratively with clients.
The question items in CoSign have been selected through a rigorous process using statistical techniques. The statistical analysis used data from the Understanding Society: UK Household Longitudinal Survey. CoSign is ready for use in a pilot phase and feedback is being collected from users through an evaluation project.
June is Great Outdoors Month — the perfect time to get outside, get active, and discover the amazing outdoor spaces, activities, and community groups across Essex.
The Essex Map helps people find local opportunities to improve wellbeing, connect with others, and enjoy the outdoors. From walking groups and community gardens to outdoor fitness, family activities, nature projects, and wellbeing services, the map makes it easier to discover what’s happening near you.
Whether you’re:
🚶 Looking for local walking or cycling groups 🌳 Searching for outdoor wellbeing activities 🌼 Wanting to connect with nature and your community 👨👩👧 Looking for family-friendly outdoor activities 🤝 Or part of an organisation offering outdoor services or events
…the Essex Map can help you connect with local opportunities.
Do you run an outdoor group, activity, or community service?
Add your organisation or event to the map for free and help more people across Essex discover ways to enjoy the outdoors and support their wellbeing.
Sunday 31st May marks World No Tobacco Day, a global campaign highlighting the importance of reducing tobacco use and supporting people to quit smoking.
Quitting smoking is one of the most positive steps someone can take for their health, but it can also be challenging. The good news is that support is available across Essex, with a wide range of organisations offering advice, guidance, and practical help to those looking to quit.
Find help near you with Essex MAP
The Essex Map (Mapping Essex’s Community Assets) is a free online directory designed to connect residents with local services and support. Whether you’re looking for stop smoking services, wellbeing support, or community groups, Essex MAP makes it easy to find help in your area.
By bringing together services in one place, Essex Map helps individuals take that first step towards a healthier lifestyle—whether that’s quitting smoking or accessing wider wellbeing support.
Supporting organisations across Essex
World No Tobacco Day is also an opportunity for organisations to ensure their services are visible and accessible to those who need them.
If your organisation provides:
Stop smoking support
Health and wellbeing services
Community or peer support
we encourage you to list your service on Essex Map. It’s a simple way to reach more people and make a real difference in your community.
Take the first step
If you’re thinking about quitting smoking, you don’t have to do it alone. Local support is available, and Essex MAP is here to help you find it.
This World No Tobacco Day, take the first step towards a healthier future.
Friday 15th May marks International Day of Families, a global awareness day led by the United Nations to recognise the importance of families and the role communities play in supporting them.
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and at different times, everyone may need a little extra support—whether that’s finding activities to enjoy together, accessing advice, or connecting with local services.
Discover support with Essex Map
Across Essex, there is a wide range of support available for families, from community groups and children’s activities to wellbeing services and practical advice. Essex Map brings these services together in one place, making it easier to find help close to home.
Essex Map can help you explore what’s available in your area and connect with the right support.
Supporting families through community
Strong communities play a vital role in supporting families to thrive. By improving access to local services and opportunities, Essex Map helps strengthen those connections and ensures support is visible and accessible to all.
For organisations supporting families
If your organisation offers services that support families, International Day of Families is a great opportunity to increase your visibility.
By listing your service on Essex Map, you can:
Reach more people in your local community
Help families find the support they need
Be part of a connected network of organisations across Essex
Find what your family needs
This International Day of Families, take a moment to explore what’s available near you. Whether you’re looking for support, connection, or something new to do together, Essex Map is here to help.
World Health Day is a reminder that good health is about more than medical care. Community support, wellbeing activities, advice services, and local organisations all play an important role in helping people live healthier lives.
The Essex Map helps people across Essex find local services that support health and wellbeing – from community groups and support organisations to advice and activities.
If your organisation offers services that support health and wellbeing in Essex, make sure people can find you on the map.
If you’re looking for support, explore what’s available in your area.
April is Stress Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about stress and help people find the support they need.
One practical way we can all support our communities is by making it easier for people to find local services quickly and easily.
The Essex Map (www.essexmap.co.uk) is a free online directory that helps residents, professionals and community organisations discover services across Essex that support health, wellbeing, community connection and more.
We would love your help to make the map even more useful during Stress Awareness Month.
How you can get involved:
• Promote the Essex Map to people you support so they can find local help and resources when they need it.
• Add your organisation or service to the map so more people can find the support you provide.
• Share the map with colleagues and partners to help grow the network of support across Essex.
The more organisations that are listed, the easier it becomes for people experiencing stress or other challenges to find the right support at the right time.
Every year on World Autism Awareness Day (2 April), communities around the world come together to raise awareness, promote understanding, and celebrate autistic people. The day encourages us to move beyond awareness and focus on acceptance, inclusion, and meaningful support for autistic individuals and their families.
At The Essex Alliance we believe that access to the right support, information, and community connections can make a huge difference. That’s why we’re encouraging organisations across Essex to take part by sharing their services and connecting with others through the Essex Map.
Helping People Find Support in Essex
The Essex Map is a free online directory designed to help people easily find local services, support groups, activities, and organisations across Essex.
For autistic individuals, parents, carers, and families, finding the right support can sometimes feel overwhelming.
The Essex Map brings together services in one place so people can quickly discover:
Autism support groups
Parent and carer networks
Specialist services and organisations
Inclusive activities and community groups
Advice and wellbeing support
By making these services more visible, we help ensure that people across Essex can access the help and community they need.
Do You Offer Autism Support?
As part of World Autism Awareness Day, we are inviting organisations across Essex to join the map.
If your group or organisation offers:
Autism support services
Inclusive activities
Advice or guidance for families
Community groups or peer support
we would love to include you. Being listed helps ensure that individuals and families who are searching for support can find your organisation quickly and easily.
The Essex Map isn’t just for organisations—it’s also a valuable tool for anyone looking for help, connection, or community.
Whether you are an autistic person, a parent, a carer, or a professional supporting someone else, you can use the map to discover local services and supportive communities across Essex.
Working Together for Acceptance
World Autism Awareness Day reminds us that creating inclusive communities requires collaboration, understanding, and visibility. By sharing services and connecting organisations through The Essex Map, we can help ensure that no one in Essex has to search alone for the support they need.
Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone — and support is closer than you think.
The Essex Map brings together local groups, services, and community activities in one easy-to-use place, helping you find the right support for your mental health and wellbeing when you need it most.
✨ Looking for support?
Discover wellbeing groups, safe spaces, practical help, and friendly communities across Essex.
✨ Running a group or service?
Make sure people can find you. Listing your organisation on the Essex Map is free, simple, and helps connect you with those who need your support.
This Stress Awareness Month, let’s make it easier for everyone in Essex to access the help that’s out there — and remind each other that no one has to cope alone.
