Tel: 07826 067801

Email: info@achingarms.co.uk

Aching Arms is a national charity based in Brentwood that provides comfort and support for bereaved families after the loss of their baby during pregnancy, at birth or soon after.  We work directly with midwives and nurses at over 170 hospitals nationwide, who, on our behalf, offer an Aching Arms Bear to parents in their care. We also donate comfort bears to other organisations who support families after baby loss at any stage of pregnancy and send them to families who contact us themselves via our website. 

The bear provides a sensitive conduit for health professionals to support and discuss the emotional and well-being needs of parents, particularly in the turbulent days following their baby’s death.  

Each Aching Arms bear is given as a gift from one bereaved family to another, to let the parents know that they are not alone, and each beautiful bear wears a personalised, handwritten label with the name of the baby in whose memory the bear was dedicated. The label also signposts parents to our website, where they will find support and information.  

Our support is not limited to the giving of our comfort bears, we have several ways in which we help parents and families, including: 

SUPPORTING ARMS SERVICE 

Run by bereaved parents, our Supporting Arms service offers parents the opportunity to talk to someone who has an understanding of what they’re going through. Families can access support by telephone, text or email on 07464 508994 or support@achingarms.co.uk 

SUPPORTING ARMS FOR DADS

We host a monthly online group specifically for Dads to share and discuss their particular experiences. Please see our website for full details.

VIRTUAL CARE SERVICE

Our Virtual Care service gives parents the chance to book a video support call with our Bereavement Care Manager. Booking is available on the link on our website.  

BE TOGETHER PROGRAMME 

The Be Together Programme is a range of community events that bring bereaved parents, siblings and families together. Please see our website for full details.

SUPPORT FOR 16+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 0345 603 7635

Email: lifelong.learning@essex.gov.uk

ACL Essex is the largest provider of adult education in the county. Our aim is to provide learners with as many ways to flourish as possible, to be there in communities across Essex, to make a difference to residents and businesses, so they can make a difference for themselves and to the places that they live in.

SUPPORT FOR 19+ YEARS OLD

Tel: No number

Email: Contact@braveparents.co.uk 

Brave Parents is a registered charity created to provide self care opportunities to parents who have children with complex medical needs*. 

We recognise that many of these parents forget to care for themselves. They work so hard to keep their child well that their own needs always come second. 

However, over time this can have an affect on the mental health of the caregivers and whole family unit. 

We create opportunities for Parent Carers to have some well needed ‘you’ time to support their mental health and well-being. 

From pamper ‘… for you’ and Hospital Boxes to in person events and local meets, we hope to encourage self care and highlight that it is essential, especially through hard times. 

*’Complex medical needs’ refers to children who have been diagnosed by a medical professional, with an illness, disability or sensory impairment (sight and/or hearing impairment) that requires substantial daily support from a Parent Carer. 

Brave Parents - Registered Charity No. 1204544

SUPPORT FOR ALL AGES OF PARENT CARERS 18 PLUS

Tel: 0300 303 1555

Email: hello@carersfirst.org.uk 

Carers FIRST has been commissioned by Essex County Council to deliver carer support across Essex to unpaid carers aged 18+ and we have a Carer Support Adviser specifically for the Brentwood area.

At Carers FIRST, we understand that caring can be hard, but believe getting the right help shouldn’t be. We work directly with and for unpaid carers to provide personalised information, advice and support; making it easier for them to continue living their lives to the fullest. We currently run online carer wellbeing groups and activities but look forward to getting back to community based events too. 

One carer’s recent comment “The fact that I am listened to helps boost my confidence – Carers FIRST has given me a voice for which I am grateful”.

SUPPORT FOR 18+ YEAR OLDS

Tel:01268 214 000

Email: wellness@cavsorg.uk

Castle Point Association of Voluntary Services (CAVS) is a not for profit charity and Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) with a strong community presence in Essex.

Formed in 1994, we are an established organisation, responding to the needs for sector partners to have access to good quality infrastructure services, help and guidance for individuals and volunteer recruitment, training and support

CAVS provides information, advice and guidance to voluntary and community organisations, to develop solutions for local issues. We help match organisations and potential volunteers, aimed at improving their communities. We work with existing voluntary sector providers to extend their schemes as well as local statutory bodies to identify and develop new services. We have a strong and vibrant membership.

Our numerous projects and schemes are delivered across Essex. CAVS existing portfolio embraces many benefits to the local population, addressing specific local need, including working with vulnerable young people, children and families, social isolation, health and well-being

SUPPORT FOR ALL AGES

Tel: 01245 284890

Email: admin@chelmsfordcounselling.org.uk

People come to Chelmsford Couselling Foundation (CCF) for many reasons - for example as a result of depression, anxiety, loneliness; difficulty in facing life's circumstances or relationship difficulties. 

For some, memories about the past, painful events in the present, or worries about the future, may mean that they cannot enjoy life, or live it in the way they would wish. 

CCF provides Psychodynamic Counselling, which can help you to understand how past experiences and current behaviour may be linked. 

It allows space to explore thoughts and feelings about yourself as an individual and in relationships with others, with someone trained to listen in a non-directive way. 

CCF'S counseliing service i an organisation member of the British Association for Couselling and Psychotherapy. 

SUPPORT FOR 18 YEAR OLDS PLUS

Tel: 0808 278 7877

Email: No email

Providing free, confidential and impartial advice that people need for the problems they face and to improve their lives.  We have experience in providing non-medical advice to people who suffer from mental health issues including benefits, debt, employment, housing, relationship advice.

SUPPORT FOR ALL AGES

Tel: 0330 3337 444

Email: forms@essexcompass.org.uk

Domestic abuse support

COMPASS are here to make sure you get the right support at the right time and this single point of access is designed to increase accessibility to domestic abuse services already provided in Essex by Safe Steps, Changing Pathways and The Next Chapter with whom we work in partnership.

If you are experiencing, or at risk of domestic abuse and need information advice and guidance please contact us.

You will speak with a trained practitioner who will complete an assessment and ensure contact is made with the most appropriate service.

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999

SUPPORT FOR 16+ YEARS OLD

*Please note Safe Steps, Changing Pathways and The Next Chapter Support is available for 5+ years old*

Tel: check website (preferred method of contact, is email)

Email: essex@cruse.org.uk

“Somewhere to turn to when someone dies”

Very sadly death remains an inescapable reality.  Research undertaken by Cruse Bereavement Support has estimated that three people are closely affected by every death.  Many people may cope with their grief with the help of family and friends but estimates of the incidence of ‘complicated grief’ suggest that up to one in eight may need external support.  This is the service that Cruse Essex provides across the Rochford/Leigh-on-Sea/Southend-on-Sea/Rayleigh/Castle Point areas.

Cruse Bereavement Support supplements the work of statutory agencies in giving bereaved people access to appropriate support.  Cruse exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable them to understand their grief and cope with their loss.  It offers support, information and advice to people who have been bereaved following the death of a partner, child, parent or close friend, whether in the immediate aftermath of the death or several years later.  Cruse Essex provides a free one to one service to bereaved children in Harlow and Epping in addition to Southend-on-Sea and the local areas surrounding this highly populated area. Sessions are usually by phone or by Zoom (face to face over the internet) by trained, experienced bereavement volunteers who are familiar with the process of bereavement.  Cruse Bereavement Support provide six free sessions (one session per week). The service conforms to Cruse National standards for bereavement care.

We speak to bereaved people in Harlow, Epping, Southend-on-Sea, Castle Point, Rochford, Rayleigh, Leigh-on-Sea and spend time listening during their first call with us.  If appropriate, they will be added to our waiting list.  The Helpline is also available 0808 808 1677 to receive calls from any person that is seeking support and advice.

The website www.cruse.org provides excellent booklets and information.  There is a referral page that directs enquirers (through the postcode system) from Essex.  Enquirers who are covered by postcode, will be contacted by an experienced bereavement volunteer within a couple of days.  Those enquirers who are not covered by postcode, will be guided towards other organisations that may be able to support individuals within their local area.

Cruse Bereavement volunteers are trained to “be there” for the bereaved individual, to listen non-judgementally and to encourage the individual to articulate the symptoms of their grief but to be able to come to terms with it, achieve greater personal harmony, self-awareness and sense of self-worth as well as making decisions for themselves to move their lives forward.

SUPPORT FOR AGES 6 YEARS PLUS

Tel: 07982 746062

Email: elaine@dis4u.co.uk

We are a non for profit organisation focused on helping those with learning disabilities to become part of the larger society. We aim to teach life and social skills which will guarantee to make a difference in both our clients' lives and the lives of those around them. 

SUPPORT FOR 18+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 01376 316 126

Email: essex.arc@phoenixfutures.org.uk

We provide support, advice and information around alcohol use.

If you are finding that alcohol is causing problems in your life, we can help. 

Whether you want to reduce the amount you drink, or how often you drink, or abstain completely, we provide a range of support that is designed around your personal needs and aspirations.

We know it’s not easy to address problems with alcohol but our experienced team will guide you through the support on offer. We use tried and tested methods to help you to work towards your personal goals.

You can benefit from support on a one to one basis, including counselling and group support, where you can share experiences with other people with similar experiences.

We also support family or friends affected by a loved one’s drinking.

SUPPORT FOR 18+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 01245 353855

Eamil: office@essexrespite.org.uk

We provide clients and their carers with support at home and in the community. Encouraging clients to develop life skills, engage in social activities and build their self esteem and confidence, allowing carers time to pursue their own interests or simply time to relax.

Our support is person centered, setting achievable goals with the person we support, working in partnership with local agencies to achieve the best outcomes.

We support clients with the following needs: mental health (depression & anxiety), dementia, social isolation, neurodiversity, brain injury and stroke survivors.

Essex Respite & Care Association (ERCA) provides support covering the following activities: 

Prompt with self-care tasks.

Support to achieve personal goals.

Support to have your voice heard.

Company and conversations.

Stimulation of memory.

Sitting service.

Support with housework and laundry.

Meal planning and preparation.

Shopping.

Attending appointments.

Prescription collection.

Visits to restaurants and cafes.

Attending plays, cinema, concerts, social activities.

Walking, yoga, swimming and cycling.

SUPPORT FOR 18+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 0808 178 1694 

Email: essex@victimsupport.org.uk

Is an independent charity offering free and confidential support to people affected by crime.

To access support you are welcome to self refer.

You do not need to have reported the crime to the police and it doesn't matter when the crime took place.  

SUPPORT FOR 4+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 0300 303 9988

Email: provide.essexwellbeing@nhs.net

We provide Essex residents (excluding Southend-On-Sea and Thurrock) with access to health checks; stop smoking services; weight management courses; and emotional health and wellbeing support. All of our services are free.

SUPPORT FOR 16+ YEAR OLDS

Tel: 01245 353 575

Email: helpline@familiesinfocusessex.org.uk

We are an independent, parent-led charity, providing specialist and person-centred support to families who have a child or young person with any special educational need or disability (SEND). 

We can offer:

* Information and advice, and a helpline;

* One to one support including assistance with Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) applications;

* Independent parental support on all educational issues includes assessments, education health care plans and exclusions;

* Support through group activities including a Saturday Activity Club.

We give parents and their children a voice, and help families to navigate the system and access exactly what they are entitled to. We work alongside families, to empower and give confidence.

“I honestly believe the support and guidance you provide is invaluable. I can’t thank you enough. I felt so supported and understood. When I couldn’t turn to others I could to Families InFocus.”

Our service is free to access, and anyone from Essex who has a child or young person with any SEND can get in touch.

SUPPORT FOR 0 - 25 YEARS OLD

Tel: 01376 316126 option 2

Email: fim.enquiries@futuresinmind.org.uk

Futures in Mind offers inclusive support for people in recovery with substance/alcohol misuse and mental ill health. 

We offer opportunities for you to develop skills, meet like minded people, build confidence, gain qualifications and make further positive changes to improve your quality of life. 

SUPPORT FOR 18+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 01245 847 410

Email: info@home-startessex.org.uk

Home-Start Essex aims to give children the best possible start in life by supporting parents and caregivers to feel less isolated, to build their confidence in themselves and their parenting and to find ways to manage the challenges they face. We build trusting, helpful relationships with families and deliver a range of flexible support to meet their individual needs, including volunteer-led home visiting, family groups, wellbeing services, school-readiness, and behaviour support programmes.

SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WITH AT LEAST ONE CHILD UNDER 8

Tel: 01245 348 707

Email: admin@kidsinspire.org.uk

Kids Inspire support young people across Essex who are at an educational, social and/or economic disadvantage resulting from trauma or emerging mental health issues. For example they may have experienced sexual or domestic abuse, seperation anxiety or significant loss. 

SUPPORT FOR 4 - 18 YEARS OLDS

Tel: 0203 398 9048

Email: essex@kooth.com

Kooth.com is commissioned to provide an online wellbeing platform which along with text based counselling also includes helpful articles, forums, activity centre, daily journal and messaging. We provide British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy accredited services and Kooth is available to young people aged 11-18 in Essex. 

The service provides a free and non-judgemental place for children and young people to connect with others and know they are not alone. They have instant access to self-help materials, fully moderated discussion forums and tools such as online journals and goal trackers. They can also contribute written pieces of work reflecting their own experiences, as well as accessing drop-in or booked text-based counselling sessions with professional counsellors.

These are online services that offer anonymised support via online counsellors, available 365 days a year, 12pm -10pm on weekdays and 6pm-10pm on weekends. 

SUPPORT FOR 11 to 18 YEAR OLDS

Tel: 01268 779999

Email: hub@megacentrerayleigh.co.uk

The Megacentre Rayleigh is a Christian charity who welcomes everyone – of any faith or no faith.  We exist to bring Joy, Hope and Life to our community.  We do this through our charity team which includes family, youth and community workers offering a range of free, confidential services for families, children, young people and the wider community. 

We offer support around all sorts of topics, including Special Educational Needs, mental health worries in adults, children and young people, family life in general and, through our Community Resilience Hub, information, support and advice from us and our community partners.

Please do get in touch with any worries or concerns.  We want to strengthen our community, build resilience, reduce isolation and support each other.

SUPPORT FOR ALL AGES 

Tel: 07580 982 462

Email:  epunft.open.arts@nhs.net

Open Arts is a community arts and mental health programme run as one of the charities managed within the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Charity Fund. 

Our aims are to promote confidence, skills, self-esteem and positive mental health. Open to Essex residents aged 16+ with mental ill health, those that would like to manage their wellbeing through creativity and to carers who would like to engage with the wider community through the creative arts within a group setting. 

Our courses offer an opportunity to learn new creative skills and techniques within a safe and supportive environment. No experience is necessary.

SUPPORT FOR 16+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 01268 531 435

Contact Form: www.openroad.org.uk/contact

Our mission is to empower a diverse range of individuals, families and communities to lead healthy and more meaningful lives, free from addiction, offending behavior and disadvantage, to ensure healthier, happier lifestyles.

SUPPORT FOR 25+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 0800 288 8883

Email: efsco-ordinator@peabody.org.uk

A support service for vulnerable adults. Offering assistance with accessing housing needs, maximising income, managing debt/ budgeting advice, social isolation, court and eviction notices.

SUPPORT FOR 16+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 07860 610 767

Email: ceo@peacefulplace.co.uk

Peaceful Place is an activities club aimed to keep our members, living in the early stage of dementia, cognitively stimulated and physically active. 

Our aim is to ensure our members live their best lives. We do this through Music Therapy, Yoga Therapy, Art classes, quizzes, Expression In Musical Therapy, Walking football with Hashtag United FC and at our local leisure facilities we do Boccia, Swimming, Strength and Balance and multi sports. 

We provide transport and cooked breakfast and lunch.

(there maybe some restrictions on transport) 

SUPPORT FOR AGES 40+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 01277 230831

Email: ypcs@renew.org.uk

Looking for counselling? We’ve been working in the local communities of Essex and East London for over a century. We’re experts in providing a safe space, amplifying voices and supporting people to grow and develop. 

Recognised as a centre of excellence by those in the sector, Renew’s services are delivered by a team of dedicated counsellors with a wealth of experience.  

We offer low-cost, and sometimes funded, professional counselling to the community and surrounding areas and strive to offer a service that rivals an expensive private practice, but at an affordable price. Many of the people we see would not be able to afford counselling without our service.  

We provide counselling for:

• Children

• Young people

• Adults

• Schools

• Couples

• Eating Disorders

• Clergy

We are proud to be accredited by the BACP and abide by their code of ethics.

Contact us to learn more about counselling at Renew and to book an initial assessment.  

Training with Renew

As well as our counselling offer, we’re proud to be known as a centre for excellence for counselling training and supervision. We offer high-quality, professional training at a range of levels. Whether you’re just starting out in your counselling journey, looking for extra support in a caring profession or brushing up on your skills and knowledge, we have a course for you.  We’re proud to partner with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) to deliver a number of our courses. Head to our website or contact our team to find out more.

Whether you’re coming to Renew for counselling, to study on one of our courses or for supervision, our offer is all about empowering you. We’re passionate about giving you a safe space to do the work and a voice to make yourself heard, but ultimately our goal is to enable you to build on your own strengths as you grow and develop.

SUPPORT FOR ALL AGES

Tel: 0300 790 0559
Email: essexadvocacy@rethink.org  

Rethink all age advocacy service provides statutory and non-statutory advocacy for the community in Essex (excluding Southend and Thurrock).

We provide services to all impairment groups for all ages for specific issues. Our staff are paid and volunteers.  

SUPPORT FOR ALL AGES

Tel: CALL FREE on 116 123 

Email: jo@samaritans.org

When life is difficult, you Samaritans are here– day or night, 365 days a year. Whoever you are and whatever you’re facing, they won’t judge you or tell you what to do. They’re here to listen so you don’t have to face it alone.

SUPPORT FOR 18+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 01277 211 300

Email: info@snapcharity.org 

To inform, encourage and support parents, so they can grow in strength and knowledge and become better equipped to give the best possible help to their children.

SUPPORT FOR UP TO 25 YEARS OLD

Tel: 01702 601 123

Email: hello@secemind.org.uk

At SECE Mind, our mission is to provide support and empower all those living with poor mental health in South East and Central Essex.

Our aims are to promote and protect good mental health for all, treating people fairly, positively and with respect. We support people likely to develop mental health problems to stay well and empower people to make informed choices about how they manage their own mental health. We strive to ensure people get the right services and support at the right time, giving them the tools to recover and stay well.

As a ‘Local Mind’ and your local independent mental health charity, we cover the areas of Southend-on-Sea, South Woodham Ferrers, Rochford, Castle Point and Chelmsford. 

We offer free, accessible signposting through our ‘Somewhere To Turn’ service, available to anyone looking for support and information for themselves or a loved one. We also provide supported housing, low-cost counselling for both adults and children and children and young people wellbeing services. 

As part of our mission to improve mental health understanding and awareness we can also provide keynote speakers and offer bespoke courses and workshops for groups, workplaces and schools through our Mental Health Training Academy.

SUPPORT FOR 5+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 0800 500 300 6

Email: tcp@thechange-project.org

The core aim of the Change Project is to promote personal wellbeing through enabling people to have healthy relationships in families, between individuals, and in the community.

SUPPORT FOR 3+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 07918 738536

Email: mensshed@carerschoices.org

Men’s Sheds (or Sheds) are similar to garden sheds – a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. The difference is that garden sheds and their activities are often solitary in nature while Men’s Sheds are the opposite. They’re about social connections and friendship building, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter.

SUPPORT FOR 18+ YEARS OLD

Tel : 01268 739 128

Email: epunft.contactcentre.iapt@nhs.net

Therapy for You provides a range of psychological talking therapies for people with common every day mental health problems; principally anxiety or depression related and is available for all people over the age of 18 registered with a GP in South Essex. 

Therapy for you can offer sessions over the telephone, via video conferencing and through traditional face to face means. It also has access to ‘live type’ sessions offered by our partner IESO and its own online treatment courses accessible through our website. Referrals can also be made by going to
www.therapyforyou.co.uk via out chatbot Limbic

People can self-refer to the service by contacting us on 01268 739128, requesting a telephone assessment in the first instance.

SUPPORT FOR 18+ YEARS OLD

Tel: 01702 213 134

Email: admin-support@trustlinks.org

Trust Links is your local mental health, wellbeing and environmental charity. We work across Essex to support people experiencing mental health difficulties, families, and other community members with main bases in Southend, Castle Point, Rochford, Basildon and Braintree. We’re committed to building stronger communities and transforming lives. 

Supporting the environment through sustainable living is at the core of our work. 

If in the boroughs of Basildon and Braintree, you can access our Growing Together Therapeutic gardening project and amazing volunteering opportunities with Greening Basildon and Environmental Activities Volunteering.

Our other sites in Essex offer Growing Together therapeutic gardening, recovery courses, groups and peer support with REACH, and youth and family projects. 

Visit our website for full details about our projects.

SUPPORT FOR ALL AGES

Tel: 020 3780 5870 or  07823413252

Email: choose appropriate email on website

Become a Family Mentor!

Do you have an interest in helping people & supporting your local community of Southend-On-Sea? Do you think you can spare some time in your week to support a family as a volunteer?

Volunteering Matters, the Family Mentors project in Southend, recruits and trains their volunteers to help support families. (Volunteers from outside of the Southend area would have to travel to to Southend where our project is based)

Our Volunteers act as trusted mentors, providing consistent emotional and practical support to families in their homes every week. Volunteers tailor their support to the unique needs of each family, building on strengths, and promoting resilience.

We do not require you to have previous experience, as we feel our volunteers can make use of their life experiences and relevant skills to support our families, as well as the training provided.

This is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to increase their experience in mentoring and may wish to have a career in Social Work, support work or counselling.

This opportunity fits around your availability – you will need to commit to 1 – 2 hours per week for 6 – 12 months. Usually a year’s support is required.

Some of our volunteers can also offer telephone support for the family, if this is preferred by the volunteer, and the family being supported.

Aim of project……..

Helping families to be independent

Assisting with practical activities e.g. Budgeting, Parenting, Routine Building

Build a relationship of trust and mutual respect through the tasks they do and through regular contact with the family

Support families and help them to be aware of and make contact with useful, local resources

What Volunteering Matters will give you……

Training which will include: Safeguarding, Building Self Esteem & more

Further on-going relevant training opportunities

Reimbursement of travel and any other agreed “out of pocket” expenses

On-going staff member support

What you will get from the role….

A huge amount of satisfaction

Helping to support the local community

Being part of a community

      Training and experience

      Job reference from us (after you have volunteered for us for 1 year)

Role requirements:

Aged over 18 years old

Able and willing to commit to visit/speak with the family once every week, for a minimum of 6 months

Willing to provide references and complete a DBS (criminal record) check, paid for by Volunteering Matters

Have an interest in helping people, both parents and children

Commitment

This opportunity fits around your availability - you only need to commit to between 1 – 2 hours per week for 6 - 12 months. Usually a year's support is required. Please note: Due to current safeguarding procedures, volunteer support will only be over the telephone although some support is returning to face to face.

SUPPORT FOR ALL FAMILIES

Tel : 0300 1233073

Email : info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk

Through the Wilderness Foundation education and therapy programmes we help young people and adults reconnect to society and themselves through outdoor facilitation adventures, therapy and mentoring. Our programmes highlight the positive impact of wild nature on personal and social wellbeing, whilst developing stewardship for nature and wild places alongside volunteering opportunities.

SUPPORT FOR 5+ YEARS OLD