Mental Health

ACL Essex
Adult Learning

ACL (part of Essex County Council) offers a wide range of daytime and evening adult learning courses to help you with your health and wellbeing, improve your job prospects, learn a new skill, or simply inspire you. Our ACL Harlow Centre also offers FREE Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery courses.

Action for Family Carers
Activity groups for people with Dementia or Memory Problems

Our groups help people with Dementia or Memory problems and their Carers.

Keeping Active groups offer the change to engage in a wide range of physical activities.

The Active Minds group consists of activities that stimulate mind and memory.

Both groups offer the chance to socialise and have fun.

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

Adult Mental Health Wellbeing Team

The Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Team provide short term support for people with mental health and emotional issues such as • Anxiety • Low mood • Stress • Depression.  We can work with you to help you improve your wellbeing and quality of life. Our aim is to help you regain control and to move forward. 

We CANNOT support you if you are in contact with Secondary Mental Health services provided by EPUT, e.g a psychiatrist or a Specialist Mental Health team.

Alzheimer's Society
Dementia Connect Essex Professional Referrals

Through Dementia Connect our expert Dementia Advisors provide information, practical guidance and support to help those living with dementia cope with day-today challenges and prepare for the future, connecting them to the right support, at the right time, in the right way. 

Please submit referrals using the weblink provided.

If you haven’t registered with Dementia Connect before, click ‘get a referral ID’. It only takes a minute or two to register, and you can then use the referral form using your email address straight away.

Alzheimer's Society
Dementia Connect Support Service

Through Dementia Connect our expert Dementia Advisors provide information, practical guidance and support to help you understand dementia, cope with day-to-day challenges and prepare for the future, connecting you to the right support, at the right time, in the right way. They work with people worried about their memory, people with dementia, their carers and family members to identify their needs and to put in place personalised effective support plans to address these.

Better Divorce Course

The purpose of the course is for you to achieve a 'better divorce' than you would if you weren't on the course.  It will help you to:  Transition to a life which comes after divorce/separation; Do what is best for any children in your family; Reduce the emotional and financial cost of the divorce/separation process.

Course content will include: Approaching divorce in terms of 6 key areas - children, home, finances, career, interests and relationships; Learning how to look after yourself during the divorce proceedings and build resilience; Defining goals and plans as you move through the divorce process; Joining a network of people who are also experiencing divorce or separation and who can support or challenge you.

Bipolar UK
Harlow Support Group

Bipolar UK is the national charity dedicated to supporting people affected by bipolar. Every month we support over 1,000 people with bipolar to stay well. This includes those with bipolar, those pre-diagnosis, and supporting their family and friends. 

Our Harlow Support Group is run by volunteers and meets the third Tuesday of every month.  No referral is required, sessions are free to attend and you can drop in and leave as you wish.   You don't have to attend every session.

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.

To make a referral please use CARA's online form:

https://www.dpmscloud.com/external/referralformorgessex

Community 360
Essex Family Support Service

Support for families in Essex including children & young people 8 to 19 years with LOW LEVEL 1 and 2 needs. Help to improve relationships, behaviour, social connections and emotional health and wellbeing. In addition to signposting to local services and activities a Volunteer Family Mentor may be allocated to give up to 10 weeks of support.

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.

cst.today
CST.Today

Due to covid restrictions we now offer one to one Cognitive Stimulation Therapy online. This is a fun way to help improve memory and confidence and bring back the joy of life! Family carers are welcome to join in with the session too.

CVS Uttlesford
Essex Shed Network

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.

Defence Medical Welfare Service
Welfare Service

Since 1943 the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) has been providing a unique, highly responsive and professional medical welfare service to those who serve the nation. Our welfare officers provide practical and emotional support to frontline staff during times of physical or mental ill health to improve wellbeing and recovery.

DMWS Welfare Officers work with patients when their medical needs are being met but when other issues, problems or social influences may be distracting them from their recovery. We provide practical and emotional support to ensure that no family goes through the worry of injury or illness alone.

ECL Hub
ECL Harlow Hub

The service offers support for adults who have physical, sensory or learning disabilities.  We offer a person-centred service which aims at promoting and supporting progression for people that attend.

The hub has a sensory room and runs a variety of activities throughout the week such as community activities, cooking, arts and craft, floristry.

A Work Based Training Team on site give advice, guidance and support to people with learning disabilities who want to progress into voluntary or paid employment, as well as training opportunities in the onsite café.

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.

Employ-Ability
HeadsUp

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

Essex Befriends
Befriending

Whether you are feeling lonely, isolated, have stopped doing things you once loved, or generally lack confidence; we are here to help.

We offer a range of support including telephone, face to face and email befriending. You can start to build confidence, develop new connections and get back to doing something you love or find new interests.

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 Council Youth Service
Essex Youth Service

Going along to a Youth Group near you is a great way to meet other young people, get support and try new things. Some of our centres have groups for all young people, others have groups focussed on sports, Duke of Edinburgh Award, music, support with life and learning, and more.

We have centres in Dunmow, Stansted and Saffron Walden offering an exciting programme of activities and opportunities.

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.

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.

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
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.

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 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 for people living or working in Essex or East Hertfordshire. 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.  This service is available to Harlow residents only.

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 Living Healthy Lives CIC
Chat, Connect, Create

Social get together for adults in the Ongar community.  A time to chat, craft, play board games - make new friends and acquaintances.   

Residents outside Ongar can attend, but must have own transport to location.

NB - due to COVID restrictions we are restricting numbers per session due to space to operate safely.  Therefore it is important that ANY referrals include an email address (person being referred or an agreed contact) so a booking can be made.

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.

Home-Start Essex
Warm and Safe

Information, guidance and support packs for families with children aged 0-5; A follow up call with the family regarding further support that can be offered or is needed; Groups will be held to build peer networks of support, help reduce isolation and improve mental health and well-being; A telephone support line and telephone befriender support

Kids Inspire
Talk Together

A child, young person, adult or keyworker can access our mental health service to meet with a qualified psychotherapist/ counsellor online . They will be given a space to discuss how they are feeling, how they are managing family dynamics or loneliness.

Useful wellbeing resources or activities, mindfulness, creative work will be explored – whatever is determined from the initial sessions to help.

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.

Leonard Cheshire Digital Inclusion
Digital Inclusion

Supporting disabled people to access digital technology. Leonard Cheshire’s Discover IT programme supports disabled people, and those working with disabled people, to access the digital world; providing training and support together with the latest in accessible technology.

Mind in West Essex
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
Mind in West Essex - Life Management Skills

Our Life Management Skills service is ideal for anyone experiencing anxiety or worry, stress, anger, depression and low self-esteem. You will get to understand how and why you think and behave and develop new skills to manage these problems more effectively.

Mind in West Essex
Suicide Awareness Hub

Free training to help people have conversations with people who may be feeling suicidal.

This free online training provided by Mind in West Essex can provide you with the toolkit you need to have a difficult conversation, and help you to signpost to the appropriate support

Mind In West Essex - Parent to Parent
Parent to Parent

Parenting can be extremely rewarding but can also have its challenges. At times these challenges can be magnified and our skills as a parent tested. Feeling lonely and isolated as a parent is not uncommon. Our service aims to help any parent feel more supported and more able to deal with the challenges of parenting. Parent-to-Parent is there to help with emotional support, friendship, advice and a safe place to chat about the challenges and loneliness that can, at times, come with parenting. 

Click 'DETAILS' below to find out how we deliver our service.  You can make a direct referral below - click 'REFER' or 'CALLBACK'.

Mind In West Essex - Sanctuary
Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis but do not require hospital admission. We are open from 5pm – midnight, 365 days a year.

How to Access Support

The service is accessed by referral only by calling 111 option 2.

You details will be forwarded to the sanctuary team and they will make contact with you as soon as possible. You will be provided with an empathic ear for you to talk freely.

Mind in West Essex - Wellbeing & 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 - Wellbeing & Futures in Mind
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

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service

The Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (EWMHS) provides advice and support to children, young people and families who are in need of support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties.

The service covers Southend, Essex and Thurrock and is open to young people between the ages of 0-18, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs.

Any child or young person experiencing mental health difficulties as well as any parent, guardian or professional can access the service for help and guidance.

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

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
Live Well Link Well

Our Live Well Link Well services are provided in partnership with many well-known organisations in Essex, each bringing a wealth of expertise in their specialist areas to adults needing their care and support. If you feel you would benefit from some extra support from some of the specialist teams in Essex  get in touch with us and with your consent you will be either quickly connected with the right team or contacted by one of the Essex Wellbeing Service Care Navigators.

Provide
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.

Realise Futures
Community Connections

We can help you to explore your options, gain new skills and move towards education, training, volunteering or work. We offer one-to-one support, confidence building, personal and social development, signposting, advocacy and employability skills.

ROOTS POD Academy C.I.C.

Our aim is to raise positive affirmations and confidence levels in young people through engaging entrepreneurship workshops, facilitated by real business owners who share practical techniques from their area of expertise to help achieve business goals. We also work with schools and colleges to boost grades and reduce challenging behaviour.

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

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.

St Clare Hospice - Bereavement Service
The Echo Project

The Echo Project is for children, young people and families facing loss and bereavement. It is available to any child or young person under the age of 21, living in West Essex and East Hertfordshire, who is facing loss or who has been bereaved. A dedicated child, young person and family therapist provides support through facing an illness, bereavement support and training for parents, carers and schools.

St Clare Hospice - Bereavement Service
Virtual Bereavement Cafe

Our Bereavement Cafe project connects local bereaved people together, so they can share their experiences and support each other. Due to the current COVID restrictions, we are currently running our Bereavement Café project online, via Zoom, and on social media, with Facebook Groups. The online communities provide a ‘virtual’ space for local people to engage in a way that best suits their needs. When it is safe to do so, our physical Bereavement Cafés will open again.  Click 'DETAILS' for days and times of meetings. Click 'REFER' to contact this service and find out more. Open to anyone living in West Essex and East Herts.

St Mary's Church, Churchgate Street
Spiritual, physical & mental wellbeing

We are a Christian church that offers spiritual, mental, health and wellbeing through the Sunday services, Coffee Shop, weekly prayer meetings and Questions Group Meetings. This involves providing general support and encouragement for all those seeking help.

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.

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
Choices - 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 free support for individuals aged 25 years plus, 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.

Under the age of 25 and looking for support?  Search EYPDAS, our partnership organisation, on Frontline - Essex Young People's Drugs and Alcohol Service.

Volunteer Centre Harlow

Volunteer Centre Harlow matches people wishing to get involved with voluntary work with roles that may interest them mostly within the Harlow area.

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
Mentoring/Coaching/Counselling via phone/online during Lockdown

To support those experiencing hardships through the Corona Virus and through recovery, Wilderness Foundation offers the services of a team of a voluntary mentors or coaches to talk through any dilemmas you have, or some to support you and offer some company. We also offer one to one therapy and counselling for those in crisis or struggling with a range of issues.

Wilderness Foundation UK
Out There Academy

Out There Academy is a transformational youth programme, designed to help struggling young people get back on track in school, at home, and in the community. The programme aims to boost the participant's school attendance, emotional health, self-confidence, self-awareness and respect for both themselves and the world around them.

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

YCT offers FREE counselling services for children and young people (ages 5 – 19) across West Essex. YCT, a well-established and locally respected mental health charity, delivers services from community sites in Harlow • Loughton • Waltham Abbey • Saffron Walden • Thaxted • Stansted.  However, due to Covid-19, sessions are currently offered via telephone or Zoom.