On Wednesday 5 February, the UK government confirmed that Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council and Thurrock Council have had their request to be part of the Devolution Priority Programme accepted. This follows the councils writing to the UK government on Friday 10 January requesting inclusion on the programme and committing to Local Government Re-organisation.
We are hosting a webinar on Devolution for Voluntary Sector, Community and Faith based groups across Essex, on Tuesday 25 March at 6pm. We want to start the conversation and share what we know about devolution.
Devolution
What is devolution? Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from UK government to local authority level. It is important because decisions are made closer to local people, communities and businesses they affect. Devolution would provide greater freedoms and flexibilities for councils to work more effectively. This would improve public services and outcomes for residents and businesses.
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Join the conversation
Essex County Council is hosting a webinar on Devolution for Voluntary Sector, Community and Faith based groups across Essex, on Tuesday 25 March at 6pm. They want to start the conversation and share what we know about devolution.
Have your say on the Greater Essex devolution consultation
The UK government has launched the Greater Essex devolution consultation.
The consultation seeks your views on the proposal to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.
The consultation invites those who live and work across Greater Essex to share their views on:
the proposed geography
the effect of establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority in Greater Essex
how the Mayoral Combined County Authority will make decisions
Maldon and District Community Voluntary Service exists to support thriving and strong communities in the Maldon District. The charity was set up in response to a community need for voluntary sector infrastructure support. Our services are designed to support and develop the local voluntary and community sector to thrive for the benefit of local people and the towns and villages they live in.
Current Vacancies:
Operations Manager
We are looking to recruit an Operations Manager to support the development and management of MDCVS charity activities and services with a particular focus on the operational delivery and strategic development of community-based projects. The operations manager will be responsible for developing and delivering projects that further the mission of Maldon and District CVS to create thriving, connected and healthy communities. This will include considering the strategic direction of MDCVS and working in partnership with communities, cross sectors, the MDCVS director and trustee board to create
projects and opportunities that benefit the community and contribute to the sustainability and impact.
Social Community Supermarkets are community-led initiatives which provide access to nutritious food for a fraction of what these items would cost in a regular supermarket. They enable people on low incomes to stretch their budgets further each week, helping to prevent crisis situations from arising in household finances resulting in the need to access food bank style support.
The Project Officer – Social Supermarket will support the delivery of a mobile Social Supermarket in the districts of Maldon and Braintree. The role will include supporting the smooth running of supermarket sessions alongside supporting tasks such as managing stock and supporting promotion.
To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to peter@maldoncvs.org.uk
Maldon and District CVS are always looking for dedicated community minded people to join our projects team. Project officers will support the delivery of projects and activities that further the mission of Maldon and District CVS to create thriving, connected and healthy communities. This support will include working in partnership with communities and sectors to offer opportunities for physical activity, digital inclusion, mental wellbeing, peer support and crisis response.
As part of the projects team the role will involve organising and promoting activities, undertaking administration task and supporting and encouraging individuals to connect with services and activities.
We are looking for people for up to 20 hours a week on a fixed term contract or a flexible zero hours basis as suits applicants.
If you are interested in joining our team please send a CV and cover letter to sarah@maldoncvs.org.uk. Please include in your cover letter
Your interest in the role
How you meet the person specification
The hours you may be interested in working
If you would like to discuss this role further before applying please contact Sarah on 01621 851891.
A DBS check may be requested depending on the nature of the role and will be discussed in advance.
The University of Manchester, local Mind charities and Tend VR are conducting a study exploring an innovative way to deliver mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), an approach to helping people with depression and/or anxiety. We are recruiting adults who have experienced recent anxiety or depressive symptoms to test this innovative approach over a 10-12-week period. The delivery of this mental health innovation will be at Mind in West Essex, 45 Stortford Road, Dunmow and 10-11 Corner House, Bushfair, Harlow.
Get involved
If you would like to take part, we will be asking you to complete questionnaires and possibly an interview to provide feedback on your experience receiving this innovative approach to MBCT delivery. The programme and the VR equipment will be provided, free of charge but you will need to have access to a smart phone so that you can download a mobile app that accompanies the MBCT programme.
If you are interested in participating in this mental health study and advancing the progress of VR to improve mental health, please complete the Expression of Interest Form (EOI): https://form.jotform.com/250412035857352
Get in touch
If you have any questions after you have looked at the EOI then please email research@tend-vr.com. You can find a taster video of the immersive VR programme here:
On behalf of the NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), Healthwatch Essex have launched a project focusing on ‘Children’s Oral Health Experiences in West Essex’.
As part of our project, we have designed a survey to find out about your child’s experiences of using local NHS dental services.
What are your experiences of visiting a dentist with your child?
Following the survey, participants can also share their experiences in an optional one-to-one interview. Anyone can sign up to take part via our contact form through the webpage above.
(All participants will be kept anonymous and any information you provide is strictly confidential. To be able to participate you must live in or near West Essex.)
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any aspects of the project further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at lily.boag@healthwatchessex.org.uk.
The Hertfordshire & West Essex VCFSE Alliance is hosting a key event for voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations in West Essex.
This session is designed for senior staff and trustees who want to help shape the Alliance’s future and strengthen the sector’s role in the local health and care system.
Event Details
📅 Monday, 10th March 2025
⏲ 12:00 – 15:00
📍 The Link, Harlow
Why Attend?
This workshop is an opportunity to:
📌 Help shape the Alliance’s vision, values, and governance
📌 Contribute to a communications plan that meets sector needs
📌 Inform the Alliance’s key priorities and work plan
Local community kindness project Kinder Essex (formerly United in Kind) began in 2019 with an aim to mobilise communities and develop local partnerships to tackle the problem of loneliness and social isolation. Feelings of loneliness and isolation can impact both mental and physical health which is why it’s crucial to address the wider causes of ill health, not just the symptoms.
Following the successful pilot funded by Essex County Council, RCCE now delivers the Kinder Essex project across Essex (Excluding Southend & Thurrock) as part of the Essex Wellbeing Service.
Over the past five years, Kinder Essex has expanded its reach and impact, thanks to the incredible efforts of our 12 dedicated coaches who work tirelessly in their areas to enable acts of kindness, connect people to local groups and activities, and support wider health and wellbeing.
Here are some of their extraordinary achievements so far:
Helped more than 20,000 people across the county to become more connected.
Encouraged nearly 46,000 acts of kindness over 5 years
Recruited over 500 new volunteers in 2024 alone.
Supported more than 1500 new initiatives to increase community connections over 5 years
Assisted over 250 groups and organizations in setting up new activities in 2024.
One small act of kindness can make a big difference to someone and means anyone can get involved in doing something nice for their community without committing to long term volunteering.
Our coaches are here to help if you want to get something off the ground or get involved in acts of kindness. If you already run a group but are interested in finding out more about Kinder Essex we’d love to hear from you.
To find your Kinder Essex Coach please click here.
We are also on social media, so you can connect with us on Facebook @KinderEssex
To find out more about Kinder Essex projects please click HERE.
Are you a qualified supervisor looking to refine your skills and expand your expertise?
Renew Counselling and Training is offering a series of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) modules designed to support supervisors in developing their professional practice.
Whether you’re interested in exploring creative approaches, gaining confidence in group supervision, or enhancing your ability to support practitioners in specialist settings, these modules provide valuable learning opportunities.
About Renew Counselling and Training
Renew is a well-established counselling charity with over 120 years of experience. Committed to making counselling accessible and affordable, Renew also focuses on equipping professionals with the necessary tools to navigate the evolving landscape of therapy.
These CPD modules form part of our Supervision Diploma but can also be taken as standalone courses.
Who Can Apply?
These CPD modules are open to qualified supervisors of counsellors, psychotherapists, and coaches who hold accreditation with professional bodies such as BACP and NCPS.
For more details on how to apply, contact Michelle Allen at michelleallen@renew.org.uk or call 01245 264348.
Upcoming CPD Modules
Working Creatively in Supervision (SA11)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 26 April & 10 May | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Learn how to incorporate creative approaches to enhance the supervision process.
Group Supervision (SA12)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 17 & 24 May | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Develop the skills needed to facilitate and manage group supervision effectively.
Online and Phone Supervision (SA13) – ONLINE
📅 Dates: Saturdays 7 & 14 June | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Enhance your ability to supervise practitioners remotely. (Suitable for those with prior experience in online/phone therapy.)
Supervising in Organisational Contexts (SA14)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 21 & 28 June | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Understand the challenges and responsibilities of supervising within an organisational setting.
Supervising Work with Children and Young People (SA15)
📅 Dates: Saturdays 5, 12 & 19 July | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Develop your ability to support supervisees working with children and young people. (Suitable for those with prior experience in CYP therapy.)
Why Invest in CPD?
Professional development is key to staying at the forefront of counselling and supervision practices. These CPD modules provide an opportunity to refine your skills, enhance your confidence, and connect with other professionals in the field.
For full details and to register, visit our website or contact Michelle Allen at michelleallen@renew.org.uk.
Essex Frontline are looking to keep the Essex Frontline directories as up-to-date as possible, ensuring services remain accurate and accessible for those in need.
Frontline is a community project. It helps frontline workers and the public to quickly find details on local health and wellbeing services and to contact services through call back and referral options.
Ace Music Therapy CIC’s FREE group for Adult Carers, Beat Retreat, a drumming music therapy group exclusively for carers, will be starting soon in Maldon thanks to funding from Essex County Council’s Carers Community Fund.
The group will meet on Wednesday’s for 9 weeks, between the 5th of March 2025 & 21st of May 2025 (Every Wednesday except from – 9th April, 16th April & 30th April)
📆 Dates & Time: Wednesday’s, 5th March – 21st May, 12–1 PM
📍 Location: West Maldon Community Centre, Sunbury Way, Maldon CM9 6YH (Directions here)
This is a fantastic opportunity for carers to take time for themselves, connect with others, and experience the therapeutic power of drumming.
