Library of Services

Accuro
Parenting Support Project

The Parenting Project supports parents/carers of children with a disability, providing home visits, specifically designed parenting workshops including emotional, sensory and behavioural issues, a nationally recognised parenting programme, and a support group. We also have a wealth of knowledge on other agencies and resources.

Action for Family Carers
Macmillan Carers Service

Action for Family Carers

Macmillan Carers Service – Support for Carers

The Macmillan Carers Service provides emotional and practical support to people caring for someone with any terminal illness or life limiting condition approaching the last year of life and ongoing support through the first year of bereavement.

This carers service is provided across the whole of Essex including Southend and Thurrock.

Action for Family Carers
Support for Unpaid Carers

Action for Family Carers provide support for carers in their caring role of any age. They provide practical and emotional support and advice, information on financial and legal matters, training for carers, and how to access respite services.

Action for Family Carers
Young Adult Carers (ages 16 - 24)

If you're aged 16 - 24 and are feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, tired, or just missing out on opportunities your friends take for granted, we can help. We provide Young Adult Carers support and information when it is needed through social opportunities, while providing support for your family.

Action for Family Carers
Young Carers (ages 8 to 18)

Support for young people aged 8 to 18 who help to care for a family member. This person may have a long term illness, a physical or sensory impairment, mental health problems or a drug or alcohol addiction

Adult Community Learning Essex

ACL Essex is a leading provider of adult education. We have over 1000 courses available in all areas from GCSE's to cookery, and we also offer apprenticeship provision to people and the business community.

Affinity Water
Free Home Water Efficiency Check

We are offering Affinity Water customers a FREE Home Water Efficiency Check;

Check for leaks and undertake simple repairs to taps and toilets for FREE. We can fit up to five effective water saving devices worth £50 absolutely FREE. We can identify ways you can save water and energy to reduce your bills FREE. We provide a FREE Water Efficiency Report.

It’s good for the environment, great for your household and with the savings you could make on your bills, it’s really positive for your pocket too!

Age UK Essex
Befriending Service

Telephone Befriending - we provide a weekly telephone call for a friendly chat.

Age UK Essex
Home Help Service

The Home Help Service provides help with vacuuming, dusting, cleaning bathrooms, washing floors, laundry, changing beds and emptying rubbish bins. We can also buy your shopping and collect prescriptions. The sitting/companionship service enables you to have respite time to yourself, knowing your loved one is safe. Our reliable sitters offer good companionship.

Age UK Essex
Toenail Cutting Service - Harlow

We offer a toenail cutting service to anyone who is unable to cut their own toenails. Our team of trimmers will help you remain mobile, avoid becoming isolated and housebound, reduce the likelihood of falls and avoid the discomfort of long toenails.

Age UK Essex (Smart Life)
Smart Life

Smart Life aims to improve health and wellbeing and keep people independent in their homes. If you are struggling with any aspect of daily living and need support, we will make referrals to other services.

Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer's Society, Harlow Office

The Dementia Support Service provides support, advice and guidance to people with dementia and their carers. It assists people with dementia and their carers to identify their needs and access appropriate services. We can provide home visits and information about our local services.

Barnardo's
Spangles Children's Centre

Family support and learning through play opportunities for Families in the Stansted area with children under 5 years old. We provide services and activities to support parents in th everyday challenges that they face in bringing up young children.

British Red Cross
Mobility Aids

We provide a range of mobility aid equipment for loan and sale. Equipment includes wheelchairs, commodes, highback chairs, raised toilet seats and walking aids.

CanalAbility

Provides fully adapted and accessible canal boats to enable people with disabilities to enjoy relaxing and uplifting holidays and day trips on the river. Our boats are adapted not only so that people with mobility difficulties can get on to and around the boats, but also offer facilities such as hoists and remote steering.

CARA
Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse

We offer a confidential and non judgemental support service for survivors of sexual abuse and violence. This could have occurred recently or in the past and could involve a stranger, a relative or someone you know.

Choices - Open Road
Open Road

Open Road is a charity that provides support for individuals affected by drugs and alcohol. Offering client based recovery with options of one-to-one sessions, structured recovery programmes, family support, M-PACT (Moving parents & children together) and needle/syringe programmes.

Citizens Advice Harlow

'We help to resolve clients’ problems related to benefits, money, debt, relationships, housing, employment, legal, consumer and discrimination. We help by listening and explaining options, empowering people to build on their own strengths and resolve problems themselves wherever possible. However, we can also assist with making phone calls, writing letters, completing forms, negotiating on your behalf, directing you to other useful organisations, and campaigning about unfairness. We monitor impacts and inform the government about unintended consequences of policy changes on individuals. Advice Quality Standard registered.'

Citizens Advice Harlow
Law Clinic

We are a Law Clinic at Citizens Advice Harlow offering free half hour appointments with specialist solicitors who can cover a wide range of legal issues including family, employment, immigration, wills, consumer, medical negligence, personal injury, criminal and housing.

Community Agents Essex

Supporting independent living through social inclusion: getting out and about; increase confidence to go shopping, visit neighbours or other places; mobility in the home; adaptations for ease/safety; meeting people; local groups/activities to make new friends; healthy eating/living; practical support/information.

cst.today
CST.Today

A social and activity group for people living with mild to moderate dementia, using the principles of Cognitive Stimulation therapy to deliver a fun, stimulating session which runs all day with a hot meal at lunch time. Half day sessions are also available.

CVSU
CVSU Community Shed

A community shed offers a safe space where men share the tools, skills, experience and resources they need to work on projects of their own choosing at their own pace. They are places of skill-sharing and informal learning, of individual pursuits and community projects, of purpose, achievement and social interaction.

Deafblind Organisation

The Deaf Blind Organisation offers support and guidance to deafblind people, their carers, family and friends, as well as professionals working with people who have a loss of both hearing and sight.  We also offer The Befriender service for those who are feeling lonely. We’re also keen to help those recently diagnosed, using the befriending process as a means to prevent social isolation.  Our popular Peer Support & Social Groups provide those with both sight and hearing impairments plus their carers an opportunity to meet people and make friends.

Dogs Trust Freedom Project
Dogs Trust

The Dogs Trust Freedom Project is a free dog fostering service for people that are fleeing domestic abuse and going into refuge or emergency accommodation. This service is available across the whole of West Essex. This is a free service and all the dog's expenses are covered by Dogs Trust.

ECL Sensory Service

We are a team of sensory specialists delivering needs led and person-centred services to people with sight, hearing and dual sensory impairments, their families, carers and the wider community. Our high quality services are focused on early intervention, improved wellbeing and maximising independence.

Employ-Ability
HeadsUp

HeadsUp provides support, advice and mentoring to people with common mental health problems to help them get back into the workplace after a period of long term unemployment. HeadsUp is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund.

Epping Forest Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch

To provide advice and support relating to crime prevention, reducing the fear of crime, and assisting in the detection of crime by providing timely information to the police.

Fighting crime in Epping Forest,  by helping neighbours to help themselves. The main aim of Neighbourhood Watch is to reduce the level of crime and encourage a ‘neighbourly’ spirit.

Help everyone feel a little bit safer, knowing there are neighbours out there who care enough to dial 999 or 101, when something is going on!

EPUT - West Essex Macmillan
Cancer Information and Support Service

Support and information to anyone who has concerns about cancer, their relatives, friends and carers. We offer befriending and respite support in your own home. We can provide details of other local and national cancer support agencies and services and benefits advice. We provide a supporting service to allow patients, relatives and carers to access suitable national and local information about cancer, cancer prevention and local services.

EPUT - Health Visitors
Health Visitors

The Health Visiting Service consists of specialist community public health nurses (SCPHN) and teams who provide expert information, assessments and interventions.Health visitors (HVs) help to empower parents to make decisions that affect their family’s health and wellbeing and their role is central to improving the health outcomes of populations and reducing inequalities.Health visitors are able to support you in the antenatal period when you will be offered a visit from 28 weeks of pregnancy.Health visitors can support the transition to parenthood and the early weeks, provide assessment and support for mental health (perinatal depression).

PLEASE NOTE: Health Visitors have been commissioned to Virgin Care - as soon as we have details we will update - in the meantime contact details are the same.

Essential Living Fund

Emergency assistance will be provided for a short term period to help with the purchase of food, toiletries and fuel.

Eligibility will be assessed over the telephone 0300 7900124 (calls charged at standard rate), and it is free to telephone from local council offices.

Essex County Council
Family Innovation Fund Early Help Services

These Early Help services have been commissioned by Essex County Council and are for children, young people and parents/carers with low level needs, as detailed in the Essex Effective Support for Children and Families.

Parents and young people (over 13) may self-refer.

http://www.escb.co.uk/

Essex County Council
The Missing Education and Child Employment Service (MECE)

The Missing Education and Child Employment Service (MECE) encourages members of the public to contact us where it appears that a child or young person may not be receiving a suitable education at school or otherwise. MECE will investigate the circumstances and seek to remove any barriers which are preventing the child or young person from accessing a suitable education. Where schools are concerned about absence levels, they will seek to work with parents/carers to address these concerns and where attendance does not improve, may consider referring the matter to the MECE. 

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service
Home Safety Visits

We provide the occupier with general fire safety advice such as electrical and kitchen safety, as well as offering guidance on night time routines and a fire action plan. This will include how to summon the Fire Service and how to escape the property should a fire occur. Smoke alarms are also provided and fitted, at no cost to the occupier, if it is deemed necessary.

Essex Restorative Justice Hub

The Essex Restorative Justice (RJ) Hub offers RJ and mediation to residents in Essex who are, or have been, involved in crime or conflict. We arrange safe communication between parties (those who have been harmed, and those who have caused the harm, or others in dispute such as neighbours).

Essex Safeguarding Adults Board
AskSAL Helpline

'SAL' stands for Safeguarding Adults Line. You can call us for anything from straightforward information and advice about the abuse and the safety of the more vulnerable adults in Essex, to the disclosure of a specific concern about your own safety or of somebody that you know. Should you wish to report maltreatment of an adult in Essex we will take you concern seriously and ensure that it is investigated appropriately.

EYPDAS
Essex Young People's Drug & Alcohol Service

EYPDAS is an integrated substance misuse service delivering CHOICES Integrated Recovery Management System and Structured Interventions Service in partnership with Open Road. We aim to support children, young people and families in Essex who are affected by substance use and misuse. We provide personalised assessments, care and recovery planning, one to one support, therapeutic group work, a range of counselling techniques and support for parents and families. We also offer access to positive activities, such as art and gym groups, structured recovery programmes and targeted group work programmes.

Families in Focus

Families in Focus aim to support children and young people with disabilities (aged 0-19) and their families by providing them with a range of services in West Essex. We provide helplines and advice to guide and support you as much as we can. Educational, DLA (Disability Living Allowance) Applications, and Social/Respite opportunities are included.

families4recovery

Families4recovery is a friendly, local self-help support group for anyone who is affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use. Respect for confidentiality is a priority. We try to remain positive, listening, empathetic and looking at what we can do to support change and take care of ourselves. There is no charge.

Family Mosaic
Essex Floating Support Service - Harlow

Helping people to sustain their accommodation by helping them address: Rent/council tax arrears; benefit claims; budgeting; priority/non-priority debts; evictions/re-possessions; health/wealth and well-being; sign posting service; and assistance with tribunals and benefits.

Family Solutions
Family Operations Hub

Family Operations Hub provides information, advice and guidance for the public and professionals on services that are available to support families with additional or complex needs.  (children and families) 
This service is the referral pathway to request support from Family Solutions, a multi-agency team that works with families for up to a year to help them find solutions to their needs.  It is also the referral pathway for any safeguarding concerns. 

Curr

Freshwaters Contact Centre
Child Contact Centre

We provide a safe neutral meeting place where children can meet with parents, grandparents or siblings that they have been separated from because of family breakdown.

Frontline
Advocacy Factsheet Harlow

This fact sheet gives details of advocacy services. An advocate is someone who can speak on your behalf or who can support you to speak for yourself, especially in formal situations or when you don't feel very confident.

Advocacy doesn't always have to be provided by paid professionals. Often people take a friend or family member with them to important meetings to give moral support, and to speak for them if required.

Advocacy services give priority to the most vulnerable people, or those with the most complex issues who have no other appropriate form of support. If an advocacy service is unable to help, they may suggest other local organisations who can provide assistance.

Frontline
Befriending Factsheet Harlow

This fact sheet gives details of local and national befriending services.  These services provide conversation and companionship in order to reduce isolation and loneliness.  Some services may also offer specific support to people managing long term illness or disability.

Frontline
Complaints Factsheet Harlow

This fact sheet gives details of how to make a complaint about a health or social care provider; for example if you are unhappy about the care you have received from a doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacy, social care service, hospital or care home.

Frontline
Going Home from Hospital Factsheet Harlow

This leaflet gives information about the discharge process from Princess Alexandra Hospital as well as information on organisations and services available locally that can help you once you return home.

Frontline
Travelling Options in Harlow

This fact sheet gives information on transport options in Harlow, including non emergency transport to hospital and medical appointments. It also provides information on the help available to pay for travel to medical appointments. 

Frontline
Victims of Crime Factsheet Harlow

This fact sheet gives the details of national services that offer support for victims of different types of crimes. This may be one-to-one support with drop-in sessions, counselling, therapy, or community orientated organisations that provide practical help.

Harlow Advice Centre

Harlow Advice Centre provides specialist benefits, debt and housing advice, plus assisted information on a wide range of related subjects.

Harlow and Epping Forest Breathe Easy

To provide support for patients, carers and their families. To increase awareness and understanding of all forms of lung disease. Staff from the clinical respiratory team also attend the meetings and provide advice and support on any respiratory issues. A place to meet people with similar conditions and gain support.

Harlow Council

Contact Harlow are the Customer Service Team at Harlow Council. We are able to advise or signpost on issues including Benefits, Council Tax, Homelessness, General Housing enquiries as well as bin collections and environmental enquiries.

Harlow Stroke Support Group

We provide information, advice and support for stroke survivors and their family and carers. The charity has been operating in Harlow and the surrounding areas for the past 20 years to support people to overcome the barriers faced following a stroke, such as feelings of isolation, loss of confidence and concerns about the future.

Harlowsave Credit Union

We offer accessible savings and affordable loans, and advice on money management and budgeting.

Headway Essex
Community Support for Adults with Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury

We are able to give informed practical advice or facilitate more expert support as required. Support workers provide direct, emotional or practical support and informal counselling. We aim to educate the person and the carer about brain injury. We identify the individual and family needs and facilitating actions through Headway Essex resources or external agencies or professionals to ensure equipped support.

Healthwatch Essex
Healthwatch Essex Information Service

We provide information about health and care services in Essex. We also help people to find out about, access and navigate health and social care services.

Healthy Minds (NHS Psychological Therapies)

Healthy Minds provides access to a wide range of talking therapy treatments for adults with common mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety and long term conditions. Healthy Minds help clients to better understand their emotional difficulties and develop new ways of thinking and coping based on agreed individual goals and needs.

Integration Support Services
Culture and Communication Group

A free, weekly discussion session that gives people the chance to make new friends, learn about other cultures and practise their English. Our Culture and Communication Group meets in Harlow Central Library every Monday afternoon, from 12.30 to 2.30 pm. Tea and coffee are always available and all are welcome.

Integration Support Services
Women's Social Group

The Women's Social Group gives women of different cultures an opportunity to meet, practise their English, learn about other cultures and make new friends. Women can share their experiences in a safe environment while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee. We meet every Thursday, from 12.30 to 2 pm.

Kids Inspire
West Essex Early Intervention Team Counselling and Mediation

The primary purpose of this support is to reduce and/or prevent the breakdown of parental or family relationships, conflict within families or early emotional distress becoming a complex issue for a child or young person. Professionals will work one-to-one with siblings, whole families or parents and carers to achieve these outcomes.

Lambourne End Centre for Outdoor Learning
Food for Thought

A health and wellbeing project, engaging people in meaningful activities, learning new skills, keeping fit and developing confidence in calming surroundings. Individuals work on the land planting, nurturing and harvesting fruit & veg. This improves their self-esteem, mental and physical well-being and self-worth, ultimately assisting with their integration into society.

Loughton Youth Project
The Space, Youth Centre (Loughton)

After School Youth Centre Drop In (positive activities)

Counselling Services (subject to project funding)

Digital Media & Broadcasting mentoring Employability support / work experience

Volunteering Disability Projects (subject to funding / local partnerships)

Mind in West Essex
Adult Mental Health Clinical Triage Service

Mind in West Essex provide the Clinical Triage Service for Adult Mental Health services in the West Essex area. Referrals from GP surgeries and other health professionals should be directed through this service to access the correct support for thier patient.

Mind in West Essex
Befriending - Reducing Loneliness

The Reducing Loneliness Project aims to find innovative ways to reduce loneliness in our community and improve health and wellbeing in isolated people across the county.

If you've stopped doing things you used to enjoy or would like some companionship while you try something new then we can match a befriender to you and get things going.

If needed befrienders will visit people at home or call for a chat.

Mind in West Essex
Futures in Mind

We run community groups and activities that allow adults 18+ who are recovering from Mental Health issues to meet others who are also recovering and feel included in friendly, sociable activities. The Peer Support Volunteers who run these groups are all people who have experienced mental ill health.

Mind in West Essex
Private Counselling

Our counselling service provides you with the opportunity to explore worries, concerns or mental health difficulties that you may be experiencing. It can enable you to use your own insights and resources to work towards resolving the issues you face. The Mind in West Essex counselling service compliments services provided by NHS.

Mind in West Essex
Wellbeing Assistant

A Wellbeing Assistant can provide you with practical and emotional support to improve your wellbeing. The support costs £15 per hour. You could have help with a particular task that causes you anxiety  such as preparing to move, filling in forms, or  writing letters, or more regular  weekly help such as managing your shopping or going to social events. 

Morelife Ltd
Morelife Weight Management Service

MoreLife deliver group-based weight management programmes for obese adults (BMI>35kg/m2) who are looking to lose weight in the Essex area. Our specialist service takes a holistic approach to weight management, including behaviour change, dietary advice and guidance on physical activity in order to promote weight loss, improve diabetic control and enhance self-esteem.

Open Door

Open Door has been commissioned by Essex County Council Family Innovation Fund to provide: Coaching (14yrs+) and Mentoring (8yrs+) as an early intervention with the purpose of improving outcomes by reducing and/or preventing: • Negative behaviour • Risky behaviour • Aggressive behaviour • The breakdown of relationships • Social isolation

Provide Life Style service
Essex Lifestyle Service

Provide’s Essex Lifestyle Service aims to empower the people of Essex to make healthy lifestyle choices, and live healthier lives. We will listen to you, discuss your needs and then offer you up to date and evidence-based help and support, to enable you to make changes to your current lifestyle.  We offer Stop Smoking support, guidance on diet and exercise and help to improve your self-esteem. We also offer classes to support people suffering from Long Term Conditions. In addition to the services we provide, we are able to signpost people to appropriate support provided by partner organisations.

Rainbow Services
Senior Safe & Social

Reducing loneliness and social isolation by providing social activities for older people in Harlow.

Royal Association for Deaf People
RAD Deaf Law Centre

RAD will offer free advice in the following areas: • Welfare Benefits • Debt • Housing.

If you need advice about applying for benefits, worried about PIP, issues relating to your housing situation, bedroom tax, rent arrears, or any other debt issue, we can help.

Safer Places
Accomodation and Outreach support to victims of domestic abuse

We provide outreach support to victims of domestic abuse across Essex, through our community-based services. Safer Places is an independent charity which provides a comprehensive range of services to adults and children affected by abuse who live in West Essex.

Saffron Hall
Music & Dementia groups run by Saffron Hall & Anglia Ruskin University

Salvation Army
Uttlesford Foodbank

The foodbank provides free emergency food. As well as receiving food for a minimum of 3 days, users may be directed to further help and support if required. This service can be used up to 3 times, with a break of a month before re-referral.

Self Management UK
Self-management Training for People with Long-term Conditions

Self Management UK provides a free self-management course for people with ANY long-term conditions, including diabetes, arthritis, heart problems, mental health issues, COPD, among others. The course helps people develop skills to cope with daily challenges; improve wellbeing and become more confident in managing their health.

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service

The SEND IASS can help if you are a parent or carer, or a child or young person who needs information, advice and support about special educational needs and disability issues. We offer impartial and confidential support over the telephone or in person around educational issues.

Spark
Spark Counselling

A counselling service available to young people age 11-19. Instant access to a qualified and experienced counsellor at a subsidised rate, and free if needed. Donations to the work of the charity are accepted.

Spark
Spark Mentoring

One to one mentoring support for young people aged 11-16. Mentors can bring significant support, encouragement, advice and guidance to young people through this non-judgmental partnership based on respect.

Spark
Spark Youth Club

A free youth club for school year 7-11. An opportunity to drop in, talk to Mentors, chat with friends, take part in cooking, craft activities, play pool or table tennis, and relax.

St Clare Hospice
Clinical Services

Our Hospice team provide specialist palliative care across West Essex and the East Herts border, working to deliver excellent care for patients and their families. Our specialist clinical team consists of Doctors, Specialist Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Psychological Therapists, Complementary Therapists, Counsellors, Social Workers and Chaplains.

Streets2Homes

Streets2Homes work with those who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness through taking an holistic approach that is tailored to individual needs.

Stroke Association
Information Advice & Support Service

Our service can provide practical assistance, essential information and emotional support. It might be that you just need someone to talk to who will understand your situation, or help with form filling or signposting. We can work with you to look at secondary prevention, or set your own goals and help achieve them.

Support 4 Sight
Befriending Service

An Essex-wide Befriending service for people with a sensory loss. Each person will be matched to a dedicated Befriender who will be in regular contact with them.

Support 4 Sight
Support 4 Visually Impaired People and their families

A registered charity that helps local partially sighted and blind people. We provide emotional support, advice and equipment to visually impaired people. Current services include: information and assistance with visual aids/equipment, social drop-in session, coffee mornings and social trips, a Carers service for anyone caring for someone with a visual impairment.

Test Service Only
Test Service

This is a test site only for people to learn how Frontline works.

The Children's Society East
Family Intervention Team (Parenting Support)

We help parents who are struggling with a child’s challenging behaviour. We offer parenting programmes to improve parenting capacity and the behaviours and life chances of children and young people, through creating awareness, sharing knowledge, building resilience and enhancing skills within local communities. 

The Children's Society East
Safe in Essex

We offer support and guidance for young people in Essex. Our aim is to give early help and support options for children and young people, looking to reduce risk-taking behaviours by children and young people and improve their future outcomes.

The Farming Community Network (FCN)
FCN Support Service

FCN provide a confidential telephone helpline and visiting service to farming people and their families who are facing difficulties or are in crisis. FCN provide pastoral and practical advice and support regarding the farm business or farm households in rural communities.

Uttlesford District Council
Cutlers Kitchen (Thaxted Day Centre)

Cutler's Kitchen provides the perfect venue to enjoy a sociable and great value two course freshly cooked lunch for a mere £5, either with friends or to meet new ones. Or if you fancy something more indulgent, pop in on a Friday morning for coffee and home made cakes before lunch!

Uttlesford District Council
Rowena Davey Centre (Dunmow Day Centre)

Conveniently located in central Dunmow, the Rowena Davey Centre offers a friendly and spacious environment in which to enjoy coffee and homemade cakes with friends or to stay for a freshly cooked excellent value two-course lunch for £5.

Uttlesford District Council
Takeley Day Centre

Takeley Day Centre provides a welcoming and friendly environment to enjoy a two course hot meal for a mere £4.80. This is served to customers by dedicated volunteers who go out of their way to make newcomers feel welcome. Birthdays are celebrated with accompanying refreshments and a raffle is held weekly.

Uttlesford District Council
The Crafton Centre

The Crafton Centre provides a friendly and sociable place to meet with friends and enjoy a freshly cooked two course hot meal for only £5. Special diets can be catered for. The Centre also hosts other events and activities for the enjoyment of local people.

West Essex Alcohol & Drugs Service (ADAS)
Alcohol Addiction Counselling

ADAS offers counselling to people who are struggling with alcohol problems. We offer one to one counselling, group work, Child and Family services, and a variety of recovery programmes.

YCT

Free, confidential one to one counselling service for 11 - 18 year olds.

Your Living Room CIC
Person-centred decluttering

Person-centred decluttering for people with a hoarding disorder or severe clutter issues.