The Essex Alliance is sharing this information on behalf of Renew Counselling.
Renew Counselling and Training is a local charity providing professional counselling for children, young people and adults. Many of the people who come to us are facing overwhelming life pressures. For some, the cost of counselling can be a barrier to getting the help they need at the time they need it most.
That is why we are taking part in the Christmas Big Give through our Heads Together This Winter campaign, raising vital funds for Renew’s Counselling Bursary Fund.
We are seeking £2,500 in pledges from local businesses and community supporters. Every pledge, large or small, will help us reach that target. Through the Big Give, these pledges can then be matched, creating the opportunity to raise £5,000 to help local people access counselling when cost would otherwise prevent them from receiving support.
By supporting this campaign, your business would be helping to ensure that professional counselling is available to people in our community when they need it most.
Your pledge could help:
A child receive specialist counselling after experiencing trauma.
A young person access support before problems escalate.
An adult facing crisis begin their journey towards hope and recovery.
If making a pledge isn’t possible at this time, you can still make a meaningful difference by sharing our campaign with your wider business network. Every introduction and every share helps us reach more people who may be able to support this campaign, bringing us one step closer to our £2,500 pledge target and helping more local people access affordable counselling.
Whether through a pledge or by sharing our campaign with your wider network, your support could make a real difference. If you feel your business is able to help, we’d be incredibly grateful for your support.
Thank you for taking the time to consider supporting local people this winter. Together, we can ensure that more people receive the counselling they need, when they need it most.
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.
The Essex Alliance is sharing this news on behalf of Vita Health Group and their NHS Talking Therapy service.
A ‘Move for Your Mind’ course is now available via NHS Talking Therapies, which is designed to support you with gently increasing activity whilst managing your long-term health condition.
Do you find it difficult to maintain regular exercise or a physical activity routine?
Do you notice that changes in how much you’re able to move can affect your emotional wellbeing?
This course is designed for people living with physical health conditions, offering support at your own pace, in a way that works for you.
What You’ll Learn
Understanding links between physical and mental health
How physical activity can benefit your emotional wellbeing
Help with managing worry, overthinking or self-criticism
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.
Mind in West Essex has moved to a new base in Harlow. After more than 14 years at the Bush Fair hub, all Harlow services and staff are now based at the new site, Mind Sanctuary (the former Osler House GP surgery), located at Prentice Place, Potter Street, Harlow, CM17 9BG.
The move marks an exciting new chapter for the charity, providing a refreshed and welcoming space for their services, staff, and the local community. While the offices remain closed to the public over the Christmas and New Year period, the crisis alternatives continue to operate as usual during the evenings to ensure ongoing support.
Later in 2026, they will be celebrating the new Harlow home with a community open day for local residents and businesses, followed by a formal opening event.
To stay up to date with these plans and other news from Mind in West Essex,
Key dates for the move to the new site and our Christmas opening hours:
Christmas Eve (Wednesday): At 1pm, we close our doors at Bush Fair for the last time.
Christmas Day (Thursday) to Sunday, December 28: Our offices are closed to the public (however our crisis alternatives will remain open every evening as usual).
From Monday, December 29: All Harlow services and staff based at Mind Sanctuary.
Thursday, January 1: Offices closed for New Years Day bank holiday (except crisis alternatives).
From Monday, January 5: We welcome back our community activity groups, based at Mind Sanctuary for the first time.
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
💼 Full Time | 💷 £30,900 | 🗓 Apply by: 13 June 2025
Our friends at Mid & North East Essex Mind are looking for a Senior Fundraiser to join their amazing team! 🙌
If you’re passionate about mental health and building partnerships that make a real difference, this is your chance to help grow vital support services across our communities.
🔹 Location: Colchester (Hybrid) 🔹 Experience: 2+ years in fundraising 🔹 Role: Develop partnerships with local businesses & supporters 🔹 Perks: 36 days holiday, flexible working, wellbeing benefits & more
You’ll be helping drive support for their award-winning Mental Health Toolkit and ensure no one feels alone in their mental health journey. 🧠💙
📅 Apply by: 13 June 2025 📍 Let’s work together to create a stronger, more supportive Essex.
