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
Macmillan Carers Service

Action for Family Carers

Macmillan Carers Service – Support for Carers

The Macmillan Carers Service provides emotional and practical support to people helping someone through cancer . The team provides someone to talk to about support and information

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

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

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

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

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

Adult Mental Health Wellbeing Team

We are a small team of Social Care staff covering the Essex County Council area.We provide early help to adults who have a mental health concern, who are experiencing some form of difficulty with social care, related to their mental health or emotional wellbeing.  

• Feeling able to complete activities of daily living  • Feeling socially active or independent from others • Feeling you have positive and useful contact with your friends, family and wider community • Feeling able to find, or attend work, education or other meaningful activities • Using services in your community • Using public transport or getting out of your home without feeling anxious or stressed.

We will work with other support providers who you may be in contact with.

Age UK Essex - Befriending
Befriending Service

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

Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer's Society, Harlow Office

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

Anglian Community Enterprise
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. 

Anglian Community Enterprise
NHS Health Checks

The NHS Health Check is a sophisticated check of your heart health. Aimed at adults 40 to 74, it checks your vascular or circulatory health and works out your risk of developing some of the most disabling but preventable illnesses. There will be time to discuss the results with the health professional afterwards.

For details of next screening date in your area please telephone 0800 0224524 (Option 1) or email healthchecks@nhs.net to see if you are suitable for the programme.

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.

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.

Choices - Open Road
Open Road

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

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.

Credit Union
Harlowsave Credit Union

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

cst.today
CST.Today

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

CVS Uttlesford
West Essex Community Sheds

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

Deafblind Organisation

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

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

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.

Essential Living Fund

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

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

Essex County Council
Family Innovation Fund Early Help Services

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

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

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

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

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

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service
Home Safety Visits

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

Essex 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

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

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.

Freshwaters Contact Centre
Child Contact Centre

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

Frontline
Advocacy Factsheet Harlow

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

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

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

Frontline
Befriending Factsheet Harlow

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

Frontline
Complaints Factsheet Harlow

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

Frontline
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 iron, declutter, do gardening, vacuum etc. We don’t stop there! We do all we can to grant very special wishes to the unsung heroes - their children.

Harlow Advice Centre

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

Harlow and Epping Forest Breathe Easy

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

Harlow Stroke Support Group

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

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

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

Healthwatch Essex
Healthwatch Essex Information Service

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

Healthy Minds (NHS Psychological Therapies)

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

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. Our services include: 

• Practical help with NHS hearing aids
• Information, advice & guidance
• Assistive equipment demo & loan
• Hearing loss seminars & training
• Drop in sessions and events
• Signposting to other organisations

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.

Integration Support Services
Culture and Communication Group

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

Integration Support Services
Women's Social Group

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

Kids Inspire
West Essex Early Intervention Team Counselling and Mediation

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

Lambourne End Centre for Outdoor Learning
Food for Thought

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

Loughton Youth Project
The Space, Youth Centre (Loughton)

After School Youth Centre Drop In (positive activities)

Counselling Services (subject to project funding)

Digital Media & Broadcasting mentoring Employability support / work experience

Volunteering Disability Projects (subject to funding / local partnerships)

Mind in West Essex - Befriending
Befriending - Reducing Loneliness

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

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

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

Mind in West Essex - Bereavement

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 - Futures in Mind
Futures in Mind

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

Mind in West Essex - 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 - Private Counselling
Fee Paying Counselling

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

Mind in West Essex- Wellbeing Assistant
Wellbeing Assistant

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

Morelife Ltd
Morelife

A free 14 weeks weight management programme followed by 8 monthly maintenance sessions. MoreLife is based on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy interventions combined with specialist dietetic input. Moderate and sustainable weight loss and long-term weight maintenance are the goals of the service.

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
Care Navigation Service

The service helps people over 16 years of age who have social in addition to health needs, and would benefit from support with non-medical issues such as:

• Help to access community activities
• Lifestyle management
• Identifying volunteering opportunities
• Increasing personal resilience, boosting self confidence and decreasing any feelings of social isolation
• Referring to appropriate other services

Provide
Essex Lifestyle Service

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

Provide
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
Senior Safe & Social

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

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.

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

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

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

Spark
Spark Counselling

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

Spark
Spark Mentoring

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

Spark
Spark Youth Club

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

St Clare Hospice
Clinical Services

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

St Clare Hospice - CNP
Compassionate Neighbours Project

Compassionate Neighbours will be matched with people in their community which is based on interests, lifestyle & things they have in common. We ask that the Compassionate Neighbour meets with their Community member for at least 1 hour a week to encourage a genuine relationship to develop in time.

Streets2Homes

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

Stroke Association
Information Advice & Support Service

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

Support 4 Sight
Befriending Service

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

Support 4 Sight
Support 4 Carers

Support 4 Sight is a registered charity with a service for the Carers of partially sighted and blind people in Essex. The service provides emotional support and advice to anyone who cares for a loved one with visual impairment, at no matter what stage of their journey. We encourage all members to talk and share information with each other to better their and their loves one's day to day living.

Test Service Only
Test Service

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

The Change Project
Relationship Counselling

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

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

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

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

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.