Mid and North East Essex Mind is bringing a series of free mental health training sessions to Braintree, Halstead, Witham, and surrounding villages over the next eight months.
These community-based courses are designed to help individuals strengthen their mental wellbeing, but the charity is also encouraging businesses and community groups to get in touch to arrange bespoke sessions. This could be particularly valuable for employers supporting staff, local organisations, or anyone looking to improve wellbeing in their community.
A Toolkit for Better Mental Health
The sessions form part of the pioneering Mental Health Toolkit, developed by Mid and North East Essex Mind to help people understand their emotions and strengthen resilience.
Natalie Britt, Mental Health Education Lead, explains:
“We all feel different from one day to the next. Our mental wellbeing can be affected by so many things – whether we’ve had enough sleep, eaten well, or are experiencing pressures from work, relationships, or stress.
Through the ‘Mental Health Continuum’, we help people become more aware of their own feelings, understand others, and learn practical ways to manage emotions. We’ve already seen great results, and we’re excited to reach more people in the Braintree area.”
The training has been fully funded by Braintree District Council through the HM Government UK Shared Prosperity Fund, making it free for all participants.
Mental Health Toolkit – The Essentials
In-person sessions across Braintree District:
11th September – Braintree Town Hall, Braintree
16th September – Team Kinetix, Witham
9th October – Queens Hall, Halstead
23rd October – The Plaza, Great Notley, Braintree
11th November – Team Kinetix, Witham
27th November – I-construct, Braintree
6th January – Braintree Town Hall, Braintree
20th January – The Plaza, Great Notley, Braintree
29th January – Team Kinetix, Witham
5th February – Queens Hall, Halstead
24th February – Online session
10th March – Online session
12th March – Braintree Town Hall, Braintree
Sleep Well, Work Well & Keeping Calm
Workshops run 9.30am–11am (Sleep Well, Work Well) followed by 11.30am–12.30pm (Keeping Calm):
If you’re a qualified Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider), staying up to date with the latest knowledge and best practices is crucial. To maintain your active membership with the Association of Mental Health First Aiders®, you are required to complete a refresher course every three years. This ensures you continue receiving essential support, development, and the confidence needed to perform your role effectively.
Upcoming Refresher Training Details
We’re excited to offer an upcoming Mental Health First Aid Refresher Training Course designed to update your skills and reinforce your confidence in supporting mental health in the workplace or community.
🗓️ Date: Wednesday 23rd July 🕤 Time: 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM (Half-Day Course) 💻 Format: Online 💷 Cost: £125 per person 🎁 What’s Included: A new workbook, lanyard, and crisis card
Why Take This Course?
The MHFA Refresher course is essential for:
Keeping your knowledge up-to-date
Renewing your MHFA England membership
Building confidence in applying mental health first aid techniques
Continuing your journey in mental health advocacy and support
Who Should Attend?
This course is for anyone who has previously qualified as a Mental Health First Aider through MHFA England. Whether you’re in a corporate, educational, healthcare, or voluntary setting, this training will support your continued commitment to mental health awareness and intervention.
1 in 4 pregnancies ends in loss, yet only 10% of UK employees say their workplace has a baby loss or miscarriage policy. Even more concerning: over 20% report receiving no support at all from their employer.
As of 2024:
🔹 Only 36% of organisations have a pregnancy loss policy
🔹 Just 24% of leaders say employees feel comfortable speaking about it
🔹 38,000 employees have been trained in bereavement support by Sands — a great start, but we need more
🔹 In sectors like private equity, only 7% have a written policy in place
🔹 NHS England has advised trusts to offer 10 days’ paid miscarriage leave — a step in the right direction
This isn’t just about policy — it’s about compassion, culture, and leadership. Employers must do better in supporting colleagues through unimaginable loss.
👉 If your organisation hasn’t yet implemented baby loss training or support policies, now is the time.
Our next workplace training session takes place on 10th October in Witham and is only £60 per person!
Creative You, Creative Client – A Renew Workshop for Counsellors
We’re excited to announce a new workshop designed to help counsellors explore the power of creativity in their practice. Creative You, Creative Client is a one-day introduction to how creativity can enhance therapeutic practice.
This workshop will give you a deeper understanding of your own creative potential and offer practical tools for encouraging creativity in clients. We’ll explore why creativity is essential in therapy, address common barriers to creative expression, and share simple techniques you can start using with clients right away.
Who is this for? Counsellors and trainee counsellors from all modalities interested in developing their own and their clients’ creativity When? 10am – 4pm, Saturday 7th June 2025 Where? Renew Counselling and Training, Sadlers House, 2 Legg Street, Chelmsford CM1 1AH Price: £125.00 (please note a £50 deposit is required to secure your place) Enquiries:michelleallen@renew.org.uk | 01245 264348
Empower yourself with the essential skills to support and advocate for vulnerable clients in our comprehensive 4 hour course on Supporting Vulnerable Clients. This course is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and techniques needed to navigate complex situations containing , vulnerability, trauma, communication styles, and more.
Moving beyond theory, this course offers participants hands-on skills practice and immersive activities to deepen their understanding of trauma and trauma responses. Join us in this engaging virtual session to elevate your ability to make a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable clients.
Professionals learn to deliver disappointing news with sensitivity, navigating emotional responses such as anger, upset, and blame. Techniques for gracefully concluding conversations are explored, ensuring that participants leave with the skills to handle even the most challenging client interactions.
Whilst this course is designed for Immigration Advisors, Solicitors and those working with clients in a range of capacities, this is an open course to individuals with experiences in alternative fields and available to those with an interest in attending.
The Essex County Neighbourhood Watch Association is looking for a dedicated volunteer to take on the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead as we update our Safeguarding Policies in line with the Neighbourhood Watch Network.
Who We Are:
President: Geoff Ireland
Chairman: Clive Stewart
Deputy Chairmen: Clive Woodward & Roger Passfield
Treasurer & Secretary: Clive Stewart
Executives: Colin Freeman & Steve Leverett
Registered Charity Number: 1168988
Why We Need You:
Working alongside Essex Police, we have identified the need for a Safeguarding Lead to ensure best practices across our network. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to your community while developing valuable skills.
Who Can Apply?
Do you already have experience in safeguarding and want to share your expertise?
Are you looking to develop new skills? Full training and support will be provided in collaboration with Essex Police.
What Does the Role Involve?
The responsibilities of a Safeguarding Lead will vary depending on the organisation’s needs, but you can find a general overview HERE.
Interested? Here’s How to Apply:
Email essexcountynwassoc@btinternet.com by 9th April with a few details about why you’re interested and any relevant experience.
Following applications, Neil Dibell, Citizens in Policing Manager, Essex Police, will be in touch to discuss the role, training, and next steps.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Clive Stewart
Chairman, Essex County Neighbourhood Watch Association
Take the first step towards a rewarding career in counselling with Renew’s DiplomaHE in Counselling (Child and Young Person), delivered in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University.
This course offers specialised clinical training to prepare you for impactful work with children and young people.
Course Details:
Part-time course: Study and train part-time at a pace that suits your lifestyle.
Student finance: You may be eligible for a loan to cover the costs of your tuition.
Looking for mental health training that helps you both at work and at home? The Mental Health Toolkit: The Essentials is for you.
Brought to you by Mind in West Essex, This half-day workshop introduces you to the Mental Health Continuum and the Emotional Needs & Resources approach.
It helps you to better support yourself and those around you – in your personal and professional life.
Are you a qualified supervisor looking to refine your skills and expand your expertise?
Renew Counselling and Training is offering a series of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) modules designed to support supervisors in developing their professional practice.
Whether you’re interested in exploring creative approaches, gaining confidence in group supervision, or enhancing your ability to support practitioners in specialist settings, these modules provide valuable learning opportunities.
About Renew Counselling and Training
Renew is a well-established counselling charity with over 120 years of experience. Committed to making counselling accessible and affordable, Renew also focuses on equipping professionals with the necessary tools to navigate the evolving landscape of therapy.
These CPD modules form part of our Supervision Diploma but can also be taken as standalone courses.
Who Can Apply?
These CPD modules are open to qualified supervisors of counsellors, psychotherapists, and coaches who hold accreditation with professional bodies such as BACP and NCPS.
For more details on how to apply, contact Michelle Allen at michelleallen@renew.org.uk or call 01245 264348.
Upcoming CPD Modules
Working Creatively in Supervision (SA11)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 26 April & 10 May | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Learn how to incorporate creative approaches to enhance the supervision process.
Group Supervision (SA12)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 17 & 24 May | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Develop the skills needed to facilitate and manage group supervision effectively.
Online and Phone Supervision (SA13) – ONLINE
📅 Dates: Saturdays 7 & 14 June | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Enhance your ability to supervise practitioners remotely. (Suitable for those with prior experience in online/phone therapy.)
Supervising in Organisational Contexts (SA14)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 21 & 28 June | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Understand the challenges and responsibilities of supervising within an organisational setting.
Supervising Work with Children and Young People (SA15)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 5, 12 & 19 July | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Develop your ability to support supervisees working with children and young people. (Suitable for those with prior experience in CYP therapy.)
Why Invest in CPD?
Professional development is key to staying at the forefront of counselling and supervision practices. These CPD modules provide an opportunity to refine your skills, enhance your confidence, and connect with other professionals in the field.
For full details and to register, visit our website or contact Michelle Allen at michelleallen@renew.org.uk.
Heads2Minds are delivering a Mental Health First Aid Refresher Training Course.
As a MHFAider, you will need to take the MHFA Refresher course every three years to ensure your continued membership of the Association of Mental Health First Aiders®, which provides ongoing development and support plus confidence to fulfil your role.
Date: 4th February 2025
Time: 9:30 – 14:00
Cost: £125pp (RRP £225)
Venue: Online via Zoom
You will receive a new workbook, lanyard, crisis card and support app.
To book or get in contact, call 07908616149 or email info@lesleybaileytraining.co.uk.
