Family

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
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 6 to 18)

Support for young people aged 6 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

Barnardo's
Invisible Lives Child and Family Support

(Formely Essex Children Affected by Parental Imprisonment (CAPI) Service)

Invisible Lives provides specialist support to the most vulnerable groups of children, young people and their families when affected by; the criminal justice system, risk taking behaviours and hidden harms.

We work closely with schools and other agencies to support young people at risk of hidden harms and other vulnerabilities including CSE, CE, drugs, gangs, knife crimes and youth offending. We aim to educate, support and increase confidence and self-esteem for children and young people experiencing trauma and poor mental health and well-being as a result of their situation.

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

Covid-19 Update:  Open Road remains open, delivering mostly phone based support.  Referrals can still be made to this service. Group sessions are suspended.

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.

Cruse Bereavement Care (Harlow)
Cruse Bereavement Care

Bereavement counselling for all, irrespective of the time since the bereavement. The service is on a self-referral basis only. We offer free one-to-one support and support for children, young people and adults throughout the Harlow district.

Deafblind UK
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

Face-to-face delivery of this service is temporarily suspended.  But if you wish to speak with us regarding any sight or hearing loss issues then please call us on 03330133262 or email:  sensoryservices@essexcares.org 

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.

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.

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 Attendance Specialist Team (West Essex)

The Attendance Specialists offer strategic support to schools regarding school attendance, and advice/guidance to parents regarding school attendance. The Attendance Specialist Team 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. This information will be shared with ECC's Children Missing Education Team to 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 ECC Attendance Compliance Team.

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 County Fire & Rescue Service
Safe and Well Visits

Our trained Safe and Well Officers can provide advice and guidance in relation to fire prevention and home security, as well as signpost you to additional advice and support if you need it.  To keep yourself and your family safe at home, we recommend booking one of our free, personalised Safe and Well Visits. 

Essex FCN - The Farming Community Network
FCN Essex

The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times.

Since 1995, we have helped thousands of people deal with a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal disease, mental health and family disputes. Our volunteers will "walk with" you and help you find a positive way through your problems - for as long as it is needed.

Essex Restorative Justice Hub
Essex Restorative and Mediation Service

The Essex Restorative and Mediation Service works with people who have been involved in conflict, including criminal offences and anti-social behaviour. Restorative processes use communication between people who have been harmed, and have caused harm, to allow them to work towards positive outcomes in a safe environment.

Essex Safeguarding Adults Board
Social Care Direct Helpline

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

Help us to keep adults safe across Essex. Remember, ignoring abuse is not an option - Any person with knowledge of, or suspicion that a vulnerable adult may be at risk of abuse or is being abused must report their concerns.

Call the Social Care Direct line on 0345 6037630

Essex Youth Service Young Carers Team
Essex Young Carers Service

Young carers are children and young people under 18 years old who provide regular and on-going care to another person who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances. Young adult carers are aged between 16 and 24, and can also access support from this service. We offer free personalised support to young carers and their families that will be developed with you around your need for help and the caring you do. Referrals into the service can be made via the website detailed below.

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 Solutions
Children and Families Hub

Family Solutions is a team within Essex County Council that provides a variety of support for families who are experiencing difficulties.  Family Solutions approach is to work alongside families on issues that they want to change, so the work undertaken varies from family to family.  We often support with issues such as family dynamics, parenting and the impact on families of things such as domestic abuse, mental health difficulties and substance misuse.  Most work is carried out in the community, often in family homes.  Family Solutions also runs several group work programmes.

The duration of the work undertaken varies according to need.  The average current length of work is 5 months.  Family Solutions’ work with a family never exceeds a year.

Forever Ahead Community

We provide counselling and recovery support services, available to all within West Essex & East Herts. We ask for a donation of up to £10 for counselling, with sessions fully funded if you are receiving benefits. We work with other agencies and charities within the community to deliver the support our clients.

Freshwaters Christian Fellowship

We are a Christian church that seeks to encourage Health and Wellbeing through our meetings, events and activities. This includes meetings for those wanting to explore the Christian faith; a group we run for senior's in partnership with Rainbow Services; group walks; & general support and encouragement

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
Bereavement Factsheet Harlow

The death of someone we love can be one of the most difficult experiences of life.  Grief is a normal human response to a significant loss.  Grief is very personal and also unpredictable.  You may experience a wide variety of emotions and reactions you have never faced before.  This can be a painful and complicated process, sometimes medical advice or counselling can help.

Find local and national support services which include support for children, as well as those who have experienced the sudden death of a loved one.  These services are for anyone who has been bereaved of someone at any time.

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
Planning Ahead Factsheet Harlow

This factsheet gives your information about planning for later life.  This can be difficult but can help you stay in control of the way you are cared for and ensure that your dependents are provided for after your death. 

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.

Grant A Smile CIC
Grant A Smile

We help to improve the quality of life of parents and families battling chronic illness, by offering a CLEAN and healthy home for FREE! We declutter, do gardening, wish dishes, vacuum etc. We don’t stop there! We do all we can to grant very special wishes to the unsung heroes - their children.

Harefield Church
Jelly Tots

During school terms Jelly Tots caters for children from 0 to 4 years of age when they go off to school. The group provides a relaxed atmosphere in which the children can play safely and the carers can relax together and chat over tea or coffee.

Harlow Advice Centre

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

The specialist level benefits and debt advice offered includes the full range of assistance from advice to appeals tribunals. This part of the service is aimed at Harlow residents only.

Harlow Advice Centre also holds a legal aid contract covering housing, benefits and debt. Help under this contract is available to people on low income that are entitled to legal aid. We can help a wide range of clients who need this type of assistance - including residents of Harlow, West Essex and beyond. 

Harlow Baptist Church
Coffee Club

The Coffee Club offers a chance to socialise and relax with others as you enjoy a tea or coffee.  Everyone welcome.

Harlow Baptist Church
Toffee Toddler Group

Toffee is our "Tots and Coffee" group and offers a place for support, encouragement and social contact for parents and carers with under 5's.  The group is run by volunteers and offers a safe and friendly environment.

Harlow Bereavement Group
Harlow Bereavement Group

Grief is not something we like to think about. After a loss many people struggle to come to terms with the experience. We are, therefore, pleased to offer support through our Harlow Bereavement Group.

Harlow Council - Pets Corner
Pets Corner

Opened in 1966, Pets' Corner is a small, friendly farm located in Harlow Town Park.

It has a large selection of traditional farm animals, such as rabbits, chickens and ducks, more exotic animals such as reindeer, llamas and alpacas, as well as a number of rare breeds including Red Poll cows, Essex saddleback and Tamworth pigs.

Harlow Stroke Support Group
Harlow Stroke Support - Rehab Centre

HSSRC offer non-medical rehabilitation, and help and support to Stroke Survivors, and their family and carers.

The charity has been operating in Harlow and 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 are a not for profit community bank offering accessible banking services, savings accounts and affordable loans. We specialise in helping people in financial difficulty by offering money management advice and affordable loans. We also offer budgeting advice via our SMARTAdvice project and a debt referral system.

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.

Herts & Essex Community Farm
Harlow, Herts & Essex Community Farm

We are a community farm located in Harlow offering a safe place for all individuals and families seeking to learn how to grow food and create a more sustainable environment. We offer gardening based activities in a pleasant and friendly outdoor surrounding, plus a share of the produce to take home.

Kids Inspire
Family Innovation Fund Early Help Coaching and Mentoring

The Family Innovation Fund Early Help Services are for Children, Young People and Parents/Carers with low level needs that cannot be supported by services such as Schools, and GPs alone.  FIF provides that little bit of early help to support children, young people and parents/carers to;

• have healthy inter-parental & family relationships
• be emotionally healthy, happy and resilient
• make behaviour choices that promote safety and wellbeing
• be socially connected and resourceful

Michael Roberts Charitable Trust
Harlow Foodbank

Emergency food for people in crisis in Harlow and the surrounding area. If you are in need of help then contact your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau and take along any evidence of need. They should then be able to provide you with a food voucher.

Mind in West Essex - Befriending
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
Futures in Mind

Covid-19 Update: Our service remains open, delivering phone/text/Skype (or similar) based support. Referrals can still be made to this service. Face-to-face sessions are suspended.  Our 'Live Chat' facility is also open - access via our website www.futuresinmind.org.uk 

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
Fee Paying 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
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.

Miscarriage Association
Miscarriage Association Advice Service

The Miscarriage Association offers support and information to anyone who is affected by the loss of a baby due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.  We have a staffed helpline, a network of support volunteers, information leaflets, website, online support and placs for remembrance. 

Please note that this is a signpost only service and that the client must contact the service directly.

Morelife Ltd
Morelife

MoreLife is a Tier 3 service that delivers a 12-month FREE specialist group programme. There are 12 weekly group sessions, each lasting for an hour and a half, followed by maintenance sessions. The MoreLife programme provides:

• Specialist nutritional assessment & support

• Advice around physical activity

• Psychological understanding of losing weight & support

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

PACT for Autism

We support families and individuals with Autism and similar needs

PACT for Autism is a charity providing support for the families of autistic children, autistic adults and people with similar conditions. Our key services include the Parent Support Line, monthly meetings for parent and carer support, and a vibrant activities and events calendar, including our popular autism talks and training series.

Peabody Trust
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.

As part of a recent merger - services delivered by Family Mosaic are now branded as Peabody.

Provide
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.

Provide
Essex Welfare Service

Essex County Council has set up a new service to help vulnerable people in our community who are staying at home and in need of support during the coronavirus period. The Essex Welfare Service is for people who are unable to access the support they need at this time.

Essex Welfare Service is specifically for those people who are not able to get any support from either family or friends or from their local district area support groups. This service is not an alternative to existing services which may be overwhelmed with extra demand resulting from the effects of Government’s stay at home advice.

ROOTS POD Academy C.I.C.

Engaging workshops to support young people aged 14-24 to discover their passion and set up their own business.

Our service provides activities to improve skills in communication, organisation, goal setting and building confidence through our business start-up workshops. Our entrepreneurship programme encourages youth away from joining gangs to make money illegally.

Safer Places
Accommodation and Outreach support to victims of domestic abuse

We provide outreach support to victims of domestic abuse across 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 the Uttlesford and Epping Forest District area. We also provide safe refuge accommodation

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 Mentoring

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

Spark
Spark Youth Club

A free youth club for school years 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
Bereavement Cafes (Harlow)

Anyone who has experienced the loss of someone close to them, no matter how long ago, is welcome to attend our Bereavement Cafés. They are completely free to attend and you are welcome to drop in at any time throughout the events. The atmosphere is very relaxed and informal with hot drinks and refreshments. We would love to see you there.

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.

St Paul's Harlow Town Centre and St Mary's Little Parndon
Teddy Bear Club

There is a warm welcome for accompanied children at our midweek Teddy Bear Club at St Paul’s Hall, 10 am - 12 noon. This takes place on Thursdays during  term time. The group is aimed at children from 0-5 years together with someone caring for them. Children enjoy play, story-time and refreshments. We celebrate birthdays together. For the adults there is plenty of time for relaxed chat together with a tea or coffee after storytime,

Tax Help for Older People

Do you need help with a tax problem? Our charity will provides FREE expert, independent and confidential tax advice to the over 60s on a low income.

Test Service Only
Test Service

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

The Change Project
Relationship Counselling

We offer Relationship Counselling for Couples, Families, Teens and Children.

Whether you’re looking for help here and now or long term, we have a service to match.

The Children's Society East
CARE (Children at Risk of Exploitation)

Covid-19 Update:  We continue to accept new referrals, and these can be submitted via Frontline.  New referrals will be screened and subsequent contact will be by phone. We are unable to see new referrals face to face at this time.

The CARE team support young people on a one to one and group work basis around all forms of exploitation. This includes sexual, criminal and labour exploitation. We also work with families affected by child exploitation.

The Children's Society East
CHHAT (Community Hidden Harm Awareness Team)

Covid-19 Update:  We continue to accept new referrals, and these can be submitted via Frontline.  New referrals will be screened and subsequent contact will be by phone. We are unable to see new referrals face to face at this time.

The Community Hidden Harm Awareness Team (CHHAT) is a project of The Children’s Society East, working with young carers across Essex aged 8-19 years (will work up to age 25 if identified SEN needs) who are affected by parental substance use (also known as Hidden Harm).

CHHAT works directly with young people aged 8-19 effected by parental substance misuse.  This includes parental alcohol, illegal drug and legal drug misuse.

The Children's Society East
Essex Young People's Drug & Alcohol Service

Covid-19 Update:  EYPDAS remains open, delivering mostly phone/text based support.  Referrals can still be made to this service. Group sessions are suspended.

EYPDAS is an integrated substance misuse service delivering CHOICES 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.

The Children's Society East
Safe in Essex

Covid-19 Update:  We continue to accept new referrals, and these can be submitted via Frontline.  New referrals will be screened and subsequent contact will be by phone. We are unable to see new referrals face to face at this time.

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.

Wilderness Foundation UK
1-2-1 or Small Group Nature/Outdoor Therapy

Our 1-2-1 or Small Group Nature/Outdoor Therapy service is a tailor-made service designed around the specific needs of participants in order to address the complex needs of individuals who have trouble engaging in school, relationships or life in general. Through a range of different outdoor activities and by working outside in nature we work to overcome these challenges. The programme design usually includes outdoor activities and can include fishing, nature photography, hiking, gardening, and more. Our associate therapist/ counsellor gently guides participants toward greater self-esteem, improved mental well-being and coping strategies. Simply being in nature calms their stress, offers time to explore problems, and gives them space for reflection and growth.

Wilderness Foundation UK
TurnAround

TurnAround is a 6 month intervention which includes one to one mentoring, wilderness therapy trails, personal growth workshops, social skills development and advocacy. We focus on a range of behaviour change outcomes to help young people become resilience and self sufficient.

YCT
Youth Counselling and Mentoring

Free to access, confidential one to one counselling, eCounselling and Mentoring service for 11 - 25 year olds in West Essex, East and North Hertfordshire.