Wellbeing

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
Feeling Good, Caring Well

Our new initiative to help support Carers with their Physical, Emotional and Mental Wellbeing

Coming to an area in Essex near you!

Activities include

• Stress Reduction techniques
• Head/Neck Massage
• Light Physical fitness
• Reflexology
• Outdoor Activities

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

Active Essex
ActivAte Holiday Clubs

Active Essex is offering a range of ActivAte clubs over the summer half-term holiday! These clubs are completely FREE for young people who are eligible for benefits based free school meals, and will include fun activities, including sports and arts & crafts, for 4 hours a day over 4 days of the half-term.

ActivAte clubs will take place across Harlow, Epping Forest and Uttlesford, in various locations across these districts.  Some clubs will include SEND and mental wellbeing support.  Click 'DETAILS' for more information.

To book, go to:  https://www.activeessex.org/west-essex-activate-your-holiday-club-booking-links/

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.

Age UK Essex - Befriending
Befriending Service

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

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.

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.

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

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

Carers First - Adult Carers
Adult Carers

A community-based service which supports carers to sustain their caring role whilst maintaining their own health and well being. If you look after someone......who looks after you? You can contact us to talk about your caring role and discuss any support you may need.

Changing Lives Community Services
Holiday Camps

Working with Active Essex on their ActivAte programme we provide FREE school holiday sports and activity programmes for children on free school meals or families who need additional support during the school holidays.  Our hubs are based in Harlow and Uttlesford at various locations. Our Harlow hubs include SEND and mental wellbeing support. Age range:  5 - 12 years.  Click 'DETAILS' for more information. 

To book, go to: https://www.activeessex.org/west-essex-activate-your-holiday-club-booking-links/

Citizens Advice Harlow
Warm Homes Essex

Warm Homes Essex is a service set up to help people in our community improve their health through practical advice for fuel poor households.

We can help you in a number of different ways with fuel debt, benefit entitlements, emergency fuel payments, saving energy, and getting the best tariffs for you.

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.

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.

Community Embrace UK

We are a non-profit community organisation established to promote diversity, advance cohesion & integration and encourage dialogues by connecting people of diverse backgrounds together through a range of services aimed at alleviating of food poverty, encourage social inclusion and support mental health. Our services include surplus food distribution, forums and community engagements.

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.

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.

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.

Dementia Adventure
Holidays and Short Breaks

If you or someone you love is living with dementia you may feel that holidays are no longer an option. Perhaps, traditional models of respite that separate families don’t appeal to you. We may have the answer. We offer small group, supported holidays for people with dementia and their partners, family, friends or carers to enjoy together.

Our holidays are subsidised through fundraising to enable as many people living with dementia to benefit as possible. Our trained team and expertly planned itineraries mean you can have the holiday you have been hoping for. Whether you want to relax by the coast or walk up mountains, we have something for everyone

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.

EFDC - Community, Culture and Wellbeing
Social. Active. Strong

The service is a falls prevention service for all adults aimed at reducing their chance of falling by increasing their strength and mobility through a FREE 12 week progressive physical activity programme. Each session is low impact, and structured so that many residents can benefit from the programme. Friendly and social class to help them improve Participants' wellbeing. These sessions are great whatever your age. Our qualified instructors will be able to tailor the session to meet your needs and ensure your enjoyment.

EPUT - Single Point of Access
Single Point of Access

The Single Point of Access service (SPA) is the referral coordination centre for Community Services.  

Provided by community nurses, case managers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, dieticians, respiratory nurses and palliative care providers.

Open 8am to 9pm, 7 days a week, including Bank Holidays. 

Essential Living Fund

If you find yourself in need of some help this winter, the Essential Living Fund can help pay for heating, electricity, water and food.  We can also help you get essential household items like a fridge, cooker or table.

To get a grant you must live in Essex and be aged over 16.

Visit www.southend.gov.uk/elfforessex OR if you are vulnerable or have no access to the internet call 0300 7900124 (calls charged at standard rate).

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 Educational Psychology Service (West Essex)
Parent-4-Parent Support Group

Parent4Parent is a parent and carer support group for those whose children (aged 0-25) have social communication difficulties (with or without any diagnosis) or who experience difficulties coping with interaction and the social world. We aim to address the isolation that parents and carers often feel over a welcoming tea or coffee.

Essex County Council Youth Service
Good Man - Male Mentoring Programme

Good Man is a five week male mentoring programme for boys and young men who are at risk of entering into abusive relationships in the future and/or are at current risk within an abusive relationship. It can be delivered on either a group work or 1:1 basis, depending on need. The areas covered include: Making relationships work; Relationships in a digital world; Confidence; Manners and respect; Consequences; and Healthy relationships.

Essex County Council Youth Service
Prison No Way

Prison No Way is an interactive, practical and varied programme for young people who are becoming increasingly susceptible to being drawn into criminal activity, whether they are aware of this or not. The project looks to educate young people by exploring the realities of crime and offering insights into the consequences and relevant processes.

Essex County Council Youth Service
Sisters In Strength - Female Mentoring

Sisters In Strength is a five week mentoring programme for girls and young women who are at risk of entering into an abusive relationship, becoming a potential perpetrator within a relationship or are currently in an abusive relationship. Areas covered include: Making relationships work; Relationships in a digital world; Confidence; Manners & respect; Consequences; and Healthy relationships. 

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 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.  

*** During the COVID-19 outbreak home visits are limited to those people most at risk in their community.  We are able to provide telephone advice and guidance to less vulnerable people during this period ***

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. 

*** During the COVID-19 outbreak home visits are limited to those people most at risk in their community.  We are able to provide telephone advice and guidance to less vulnerable people during this period ***

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 Home Help Service Ltd
Essex Home Help Service

Essex Home Help Service offers support within the home to the Elderly & Vulnerable people in Essex. Services include Housework, Shopping, Prescription Collections, Companionship and Sitting Service. All other requirements considered.Having worked for Age UK Essex Home Help Service for the past 17 years we understand how important it is for older and vulnerable people to be able to stay in their own homes to live an enjoyable and independent life.

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 Lives
Essex Family Wellbeing Support

We are excited to announce a new project in Essex called Essex Family Wellbeing Support targeting lone parents and parents of children with SEN, affected by the impact of Covid-19.  Online parenting groups via Teams and individual support by phone or Teams will provide emotional support and parenting strategies to boost parents' confidence, skills and coping mechanisms in supporting their family.

Please forward this onto relevant families and contacts you know/work with who may benefit from accessing this service. 

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.

Freshwaters Christian Fellowship

*** DUE TO LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS THE CENTRE IS UNABLE TO OPEN AT THE MOMENT ***

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

*** DUE TO LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS THE CENTRE IS UNABLE TO OPEN AT THE MOMENT ***

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
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.

Groundwork East
Green Doctor

Groundwork, the community charity, is running the Green Doctor service for residents of Harlow who live in fuel poverty.

We can help individuals that have any debt or are on a low income and are struggling to pay their utility bills through a number of methods to reduce their utility costs and improve their livelihoods.   Although the service is free there are eligibility criteria.  Click DETAILS for the list of services offered and who is eligible.  Click REFER to make a referral. 

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 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 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
Active Harlow

Harlow Council - Customer Service
DevelopMe Hub

DevelopMe is a digital hub which supports you in getting a job, changing career or further developing your skills and personal development. The hub is packed with interactive tools, e-learning content and the latest job opportunities, all designed to help you navigate today's job market and grow in confidence. You'll get access to our CV Builder as well as Interview Simulator to build your confidence for future interviews. This service is free.

To register go to: https://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/community/developme/

Harlow Council - The Leah Manning Centre
The Leah Manning Centre - Harlow

The Leah Manning Centre provides specialist day care for older people, administered by Harlow Council working in partnership with Essex County Council, Adult Social Care who fund the specialist day care, for Harlow residents with a higher level of need.

Every day at the centre is different, with a variety of stimulating activities and opportunities on offer for older adults with a range of support needs to maximise independence and to gain and maintain skills for everyday living, enabling them to be part of their local community and meet new people.

HARLOW HOLIDAY LUNCH CLUBS
Harlow Holiday Lunch Clubs

We offer nutritious meals during the holidays for those children in receipt of free school meal vouchers, as well as vulnerable families referred to us.

In addition to food, we also provide craft and play and learn activities, sports and support in the school holidays.

Hope Boxes are also available with food and toiletries.

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.

Headway Essex
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.

Headway Essex
Headway Essex Support Groups

As a charity, our mission is to ensure that everyone in Essex living with an acquired brain injury can live a fulfilling life and that families and carers are better able to cope within their caring roles.

Many people who have a brain injury find our support group meetings very beneficial. The groups provide you with an opportunity to meet others who have a brain injury, to share information and to hear from experts in brain injury care and rehabilitation.

If you have not attended one of our groups before, you will need to contact the community support team  to pre-register your attendance.

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.

Hearing Help Essex

A quarter of a million people in Essex have some degree of hearing loss, nationally that amounts to one in six of the population. Hearing Help Essex exists to alleviate the isolation and loneliness that hearing loss can bring.

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
Family Group

Our family group is available to support families who want to meet other parents, build connections and gain peer support from others. With professionally trained staff and volunteers on hand, parents are offered a safe space to have some fun with their children and share their experiences with other parents.

Home-Start Essex
Harlow Perinatal Volunteer Support

Pregnancy is an incredible journey, but it can be challenging and pretty lonely and these feelings have been amplified under lock-down. As part of our perinatal support we will introduce you to a volunteer trained in perinatal mental health, and agree on a goal plan that can be worked on together so you have full ownership of the support journey. Our volunteer will provide weekly phone/video calls or can meet 1:1 for up to 6 months

Home-Start Essex
Harlow Perinatal Wellbeing Group

Home-Start Essex are running perinatal groups for Harlow mums in Spring 2021 and welcome pregnant and new mums. These helpful groups are designed to offer emotional support to mums expecting a baby and those who have a baby under 1 years old. The groups are running online and include 6 weeks of topics all aimed to support mum through the perinatal period and offer her reassurance that she’s not alone. Groups are kept in small numbers to ensure they’re inclusive and welcoming.

This course will start on 29th April 2021 and run for six weeks.

Home-Start Essex
Parenting Together Support Programme

The Parenting Together Support Programme may be able to help parents where stress and conflict are affecting the family by offering parents support either through 1-2-1 sessions via Zoom or telephone.  The programme offers parents support that suits their circumstances to work towards strengthening their parenting skills for the benefit of the children and address conflict within their relationship.

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

Hub and Spoke Harlow CIC
Hub and Spoke Harlow

Support to start or return to cycling. Learn to ride. Develop confidence on the road. Join a social ride. Rent a bike (fee). Buy a recycled bike

Integration Support Services
Falcon English School

Falcon English School is a not-for-profit language school run by Integration Support Services, a charity based in Harlow.

Our popular ESOL courses are designed for students of all levels. We currently run Pre-Entry (Step 1 & 2), Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3 and Level 1 classes.

Integration Support Services

We provide one-to-one support advice and guidance to migrant families in the West of Essex. The aim of our work is to help families to integrate successfully in the local community, reduce isolation and improve opportunities for better employment/education. We can provide immigration advice at OISC level 1, interpreting and translation.

We are also a hate crime support centre.

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.

Integrity Housing

We provide short-long term accommodation in shared housing with support, personalised pathway planning, and move-on into independent living.

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

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
Tech Works

Supporting disabled people to access digital technology. Leonard Cheshire’s Tech Works 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.  Clients must be 18+ years old, have a disability or long term health condition, and be actively looking to engage in learning/qualifications, volunteering, and/or employment.

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.

Michael Roberts Charitable Trust
Maybury Open Door

Maybury Open Door is based in Harlow and is managed by a team of MRCT Community Workers and volunteers.  It is a community drop-in resource which welcomes adults from 18+ years to promote community spirit and integration.

Maybury Open Door is open to all and supports a wide range of adults including elderly, people with a disability, homeless, isolated people and others who just need to venture out and meet new friends.  The centre seeks to promote the ability of people, and to encourage them to take an active role.

Mind in West Essex
Bereavement Support

Leading up to and following the death of someone close to you, it is usual to struggle with a range of emotional and practical difficulties.

We understand that everyone’s experience of loss will be different and therefore we have a range of support opportunities available.  We aim to offer flexible, personalised and cost effective support for people experiencing these difficulties.

We offer: counselling, befriending, education about the physical and emotional effects of loss, coping with loss and change course, group work, practical support, reading materials.

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 complements services provided by NHS.

Mind in West Essex
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
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

Please note:   This is a training course and not a support service for people who are feeling suicidal.

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.

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'.

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.

PATACC
Community Befriending

Telephone Befriending and Face-to-Face Befriending.

Our Face to Face befriending meetings are mainly out of the residents of both the Befriender and the Befriendee. We are currently including group outings to encourage service users to make new friends to improve social lives and reduce loneliness and isolation.

We make the real difference in people's lives.

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.

Phoenix Futures
Essex Alcohol Recovery Community

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

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

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

Provide
Essex Wellbeing Service

We support people in the community and at work with a range of health, wellbeing and day to day needs. We help people access information and support to stay healthy, safe and well from help to quit smoking, to supporting families adapt to 'new normal'.

We also coordinate requests and referrals for everyday tasks and connect them to our volunteers.

The Service is commissioned by Essex County Council and delivered by Provide CIC in partnership with Priority Digital Health.

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
My Weight Matters

A range of free weight management services for adults registered with a GP surgery in Essex.

Our programmes are designed to promote safe weight loss of between 0.5-1 kg (1-2lb) a week.

Introducing steps one week at a time to help build the tools that will enable confident use for continued weight loss.

Venues in Loughton, Harlow, Epping, Stansted Mountfitchet, Saffron Walden, Great Dunmow. 

To refer please visit https://www.essexwellbeingservice.co.uk/professionals/professional-referral

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.

Rainbow Services (Harlow)
Community Builder

Harlow Community Builder project brings residents and organisations together to improve local communities and to tackle a range of locally based issues. It’s aim is to encourage a variety of opportunities for local people to be involved in activities to directly benefit the areas where they live and act as a catalyst for lasting change.

Rainbow Services (Harlow)
Community Hub Response

The Community Hub Response team at Rainbow Services is working with Harlow Council and partners to respond to urgent Covid-19 related issues such as emergency food provision, prescription collections etc. 

Rainbow Services (Harlow)
Harlow Community Fund

Harlow Community Fund will provide financial assistance to new and existing residents of Harlow who are unable to afford basic living items which enable them to live independently and where funding is not available to cover the costs of these from other known sources.

We will consider referrals for Harlow residents who are UK or EU citizens, normally resident in the UK, aged over 16 years and living within Harlow council area.

Rainbow Services (Harlow)
Senior Safe & Social

Reducing loneliness and social isolation by providing social activities for older people in Harlow, Epping Forest and Uttlesford.

Rainbow Services (Harlow)
Shed Inside

The Shed Inside provides all the elements which makes Men’s Sheds a great place to go. It provides a space for men to enjoy the same companionship and craft working without the machines or larger power tools. A Shed Inside is based at The Rainbow Centre with only hand tools required for projects, so there is a minimum of noise, mess and risk of injury.

Rainbow Services (Harlow)
Tech Library

Helping to reduce loneliness and social isolation (virtually), we are able to loan technical equipment for a period of one week at a time, for those that are eligible, so that they can remain socially connected.

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.

Refugee Council
Wellbeing & Work for Refugee Integration

The Wellbeing Service is delivered by the Refugee Council across Hertfordshire and Essex. Delivered by qualified and experienced psychological therapists, the service offers a safe and confidential space for refugee adults, families and separated & unaccompanied children to access wellbeing support, with a view to increasing resilience and confidence, and improving pathways into wider training and employment opportunities.

Applicants must have a BRP or Home Office Letter as proof of eligibility to access this service. This includes: Refugee Status/ Humanitarian Protection/ ILR (Settlement)/ DLR (over 12 months – as result of asylum claim)/ Resettled refugees and Family Reunion.

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.

Roots to Wellbeing
Nordic Walks

Open to all, walks are suitable for Adults, Older Adults and Children.  We have people with a range of ability, long term conditions and disabilities, as well as those recovering from injury who come on the walks.

Nordic walking is with support from specially designed poles, with a technique that was developed in Finland as a full body workout. The poles are used alongside an ergonomic technique that supports the body to move effectively and enables upper body and core muscles to be engaged and support the lower body.

Safer Places
Rosie Women's Centre

The Rosie Centre in Harlow provides women with a safe and homely space in which to access gender-specialist support services. It is a ‘one-stop-shop’ offering group and one-to-one work covering domestic and sexual abuse support services (including our Triple R therapy based programme), counselling, substance misuse, housing and homelessness, legal and money advice surgeries, health visiting, parenting support, education and employment, life coaching and general emotional & physical wellbeing.

Due to lockdown, our centre is currently online via Zoom and open to all. Click Details for more information and click Refer to make a referral.

Safer Places
Triple R

Triple R is a trauma informed based Domestic Abuse programme which has three aims:

1. To enable victim/survivors to recognise abuse and its impacts on them and their children.
2. To enable them to recover from abuse and support their children to do so.
3. To develop resilience by building on their strengths and addressing challenges in order to build a better sustainable safe future for themselves and their families.

This programme is currently available online.  Click 'Details' below for more information and click 'Refer' to make a referral.

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

Saffron Walden Community Shed (CVSU)
Saffron Walden Community Shed

The purpose of the Saffron Walden Community Shed is to provide a non-profit workshop and social environment for the residents of Saffron Walden and the surrounding areas. To provide opportunities for friendship and socialising while at the same time providing space and facilities to pursue hobbies, crafts and other creative activities with the aim that this will have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. To undertake projects, acceptable to the group, which are of benefit to individuals, other groups and the broader community.

Southend on Sea Domestic Abuse Projects
COMPASS

COMPASS is a single point of access to support victims of domestic abuse across Southend, Essex and Thurrock.  It helps women, men and young people aged over 16 to access specialist support including community-based services and specialist accommodation to help them recover and move on from domestic abuse.

The aim is to provide a single number, which will be available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekends, for callers to speak with a trained member of staff who will complete an assessment and ensure contact is made with the most appropriate support service. 

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

St Clare Hospice
Bereavement Support Helpline

The Bereavement Support Helpline is being run by a team of hospice staff and volunteers, trained to deliver immediate emotional support and practical guidance for those who would like extra support after the loss of someone close.

The helpline is operating from Monday 22nd June, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, and is open to all local people living in West Essex and East Hertfordshire who feel they would benefit from extra support in relation to a bereavement – no matter how long ago their loss was.

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, Counsellors, Social Workers and Chaplains.

St Clare Hospice
Compassionate Neighbours Project

This community-led project offers support for people living with a life-limiting illness or experiencing loneliness and isolation. Trained Compassionate Neighbours visit members of the community regularly to combat social isolation and offer a listening ear, companionship and emotional support. 

Please note:  We take great care to match referred people to volunteer neighbours, and sometimes there may be a delay in a volunteer being available.   We will acknowledge your referral and add in the notes what the status is, to keep you informed.

St Clare Hospice
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
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.

Stroke Association
Stroke Association Support Coordinator

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.

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 Change Project
The Change Hub

The Change Hub is a community domestic abuse service for male and female perpetrators aged 16 and above who want to make positive changes in how they behave in relationships with others, regardless of gender, ethnicity or sexuality. Domestic Violence Awareness Practitioners deliver one-to-one behaviour change interventions matched to the level of risk and the client’s individual circumstances. Victims of the perpetrator are also offered support.

Click 'DETAILS' for our suitability criteria.  As our work includes supporting the victim/survivor, where possible, the referral should also be discussed with the victim/survivor in advance as their details will need to be included in the referral process.  The Hub accepts self-referrals as well as from agencies.

The Children's Society East
Active Families Together

Active Families Together (AFT) is an exciting new well-being project delivered by The Children's Society East in partnership with Sport England and Active Essex. This is a follow up intervention for family groups where an individual is ending, or has completed an intervention with The Children's Society East, Kids Inspire, Barnardo's, CHOICES, Family Solutions or Social Services.

Our mission is to encourage family members to spend more time together in a positive and active way so that it enables them to develop a healthier culture of shared interests and activities.  Referrals should be made into this service via one of the organisations listed above. Click DETAILS for more information.

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 parents and families affected by child exploitation, providing advice and guidance via one-to-one support, peer led groups and telephone support.

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
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.

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.

TheFridge@TheBridge

Good, surplus food available to take away, that would otherwise go to waste. Drop in cafe. Learn to reduce your own food waste. Healthy eating recipes available. Half term family cooking sessions.

Victim Support

As an independent charity, we work towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve. We help people feel safer and find the strength to move beyond crime. Our support is free, confidential and tailored to your needs. If you’ve been affected by crime, we can give you the support you need to move forward. Our services are free, confidential and available to anyone in England and Wales, regardless of whether the crime has been reported or how long ago it happened.

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.

WECAN
United in Kind Coach - Harlow

United in Kind: people across Essex working together to reconnect with our neighbours and communities to help overcome loneliness.

A small kind act can make a big difference to how connected someone feels to their community, and these connection can build into something bigger to tackle loneliness.

If you are affected by loneliness or isolation, our United in Kind Coaches can help you identify groups and activities you can become part of.    We are also assisting communities and volunteers to develop these activities, and creating a network of Community Champions to provide local support.

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.