News

This is where we’ll post third sector news and important updates that are useful for your organisation.

Volunteer Opportunity: Safeguarding Lead for Essex Neighbourhood Watch

The Essex County Neighbourhood Watch Association is looking for a dedicated volunteer to take on the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead as we update our Safeguarding Policies in line with the Neighbourhood Watch Network.

Who We Are:

  • President: Geoff Ireland
  • Chairman: Clive Stewart
  • Deputy Chairmen: Clive Woodward & Roger Passfield
  • Treasurer & Secretary: Clive Stewart
  • Executives: Colin Freeman & Steve Leverett
  • Registered Charity Number: 1168988

Why We Need You:
Working alongside Essex Police, we have identified the need for a Safeguarding Lead to ensure best practices across our network. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to your community while developing valuable skills.

Who Can Apply?

  • Do you already have experience in safeguarding and want to share your expertise?
  • Are you looking to develop new skills? Full training and support will be provided in collaboration with Essex Police.

What Does the Role Involve?
The responsibilities of a Safeguarding Lead will vary depending on the organisation’s needs, but you can find a general overview HERE.

Interested? Here’s How to Apply:
Email essexcountynwassoc@btinternet.com by 9th April with a few details about why you’re interested and any relevant experience.

Following applications, Neil Dibell, Citizens in Policing Manager, Essex Police, will be in touch to discuss the role, training, and next steps.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Clive Stewart
Chairman, Essex County Neighbourhood Watch Association

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: News, Opportunities

The Rotary Baddow Races – Volunteer Course marshals needed (18th May 2025)

For the last 40 years home to the Baddow Races has been the Millenium Centre at Great Baddow.

Sunday 18th May with a start time of 10am for the 10 Mile race, and shortly afterwards for the 2 mile fun run.

We are licensed by UK Athletics under licence 2024-46952 and registered with BARR the British Association of Road Runners. Our course has been measured and certified by UK Association of Course Measurers under course number 18/190.

This event takes a huge amount of effort to organise and we are always looking for willing hands to help us deliver a first-class day not only for runners but for the community of Chelmsford.

We raise thousands of pounds for our local charities and aim to provide a fun day out for all the family as well as the runners.

🚨 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 🚨

The Baddow Races take place on Sunday, 18 May 2025 and we need course marshals to help make this incredible charity event happen!

📍 Great Baddow Recreation Ground
8:30 AM briefing – finish by 12:00 noon
🦺 Hi-vis & bottled water provided
🚐 Transport to marshal points available

This long-running event supports The Children’s Society (East), Farleigh Hospice, and other local charities. But we can’t do it without YOU!

Volunteering is easy, fun, and a great way to give back. Grab some friends, support your community, and be part of the action!

💌 Interested? Email marshals.baddowraces@gmail.com or call Stephen King on 07850 344015 📞

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News, Opportunities

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘅?

Whether you’re completing your Duke of Edinburgh Award, gaining work experience, or simply want to give back to your community, there’s a perfect role waiting for you!
💚 Explore local volunteering opportunities on The Essex Map and find ways to make a difference near you.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: News, Opportunities

Want to change young lives? Become a children and young people’s counsellor with Renew

Take the first step towards a rewarding career in counselling with Renew’s DiplomaHE in Counselling (Child and Young Person), delivered in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University.

This course offers specialised clinical training to prepare you for impactful work with children and young people.

 Course Details:

  • Part-time course: Study and train part-time at a pace that suits your lifestyle.
  • Student finance: You may be eligible for a loan to cover the costs of your tuition.

 Upcoming FREE online Q&A Session: 26 March at 1pm

For more information, please fill out the contact form here.

You can also reach out to Michelle Allen at michelleallen@renew.org.uk or call 01245 264348.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News, Opportunities, Training

Job Vacancy – Hearing Help Essex are recruiting for a new CEO

Join Hearing Help Essex as Our New Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

FULL DETAILS HERE

Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for making a difference? Hearing Help Essex is seeking a visionary Chief Executive Officer to drive our mission forward and expand our reach to support even more individuals living with hearing loss across the county.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a dynamic and adaptable leader, ideally with experience in the charity sector and a strong connection to the challenges faced by those with hearing loss.
With demand for our vital services growing, you’ll be at the forefront of a dynamic and rewarding environment, balancing strategic vision with hands-on engagement.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Shape and implement innovative strategies to meet the evolving needs of our community.
  • Build meaningful relationships with stakeholders, partners, and supporters to amplify our impact.
  • Lead and inspire a dedicated team, ensuring the delivery of exceptional support for those we serve.

This position is more than a job – it’s a chance to lead transformative change and improve the lives of thousands of people. As CEO, you’ll work closely with a committed Board of Trustees, ensuring the charity’s continued success within our robust governance framework.

Are you ready to lead a charity with heart, vision, and purpose?

Apply today to become part of a team dedicated to changing lives across Essex.

For more details, including the job description, please click here or email sophie.ede@hearinghelpessex.org.uk 

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: News, Opportunities, Third Sector Jobs

☕ 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀!☕

Chelmsford Star Co-op host bi-weekly coffee mornings for their members at the Braintree & Chelmsford Quadrant Stores, bringing people together for a warm drink, great company, and inspiring talks.

They are on the lookout for guest speakers to share their knowledge, experiences, or passions with our friendly community. Whether you have an interesting story to tell, expert advice to share, or an engaging topic to present, they’d love to hear from you!

The Chelmsford Group takes place every other Monday and the Braintree Group takes place every other Thursday (10.15am for a 10.30am start. Lasts up to 1 hour.)

If you’re interested in speaking at one of the sessions, please get in touch.

The Chelmsford Group
The Braintree Group

Email: membership@chelmsfordstar.coop

Find out more here: https://www.chelmsfordstar.coop/community/events/

 

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News, Opportunities

The Mental Health Toolkit: The Essentials

Looking for mental health training that helps you both at work and at home? The Mental Health Toolkit: The Essentials is for you.

Brought to you by Mind in West Essex, This half-day workshop introduces you to the Mental Health Continuum and the Emotional Needs & Resources approach.

It helps you to better support yourself and those around you – in your personal and professional life.

Places cost just £75 per person. Find out more, see upcoming dates and book your place here: MentalHealthTraining.org.uk/mht-essentials/

 

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Events, News, Training

Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation: Devolution | Essex County Council

Introduction

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.

Read more about Devolution.

Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation: Devolution | Essex County Council

Details about our plans for devolution in Greater Essex

www.essex.gov.uk

Watch the short video about Greater Essex Devolution.

YouTube

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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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.

Join the webinar on Microsoft Teams.

 

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

Have your say on the UK government’s devolution consultation before it closes on Sunday 13 April 2025.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: Consultations, Events, News, Opportunities

Maldon and District CVS – Staff Vacancies

 

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.

To apply, please complete the application form.

Deadline date: Monday 7th April 9am

For full job description, click here Operations manager


Project Officer – Social Supermarket

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

Deadline date: Monday 24th March 9am

For full job description, click here Social Supermarket Project Officer JD March 2025


Community Projects Officer

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.

For full job description here: Community Project Officer


Volunteering roles

If you would like to be part of our volunteer team find our current opportunities here.

If you would like to apply to be a MDCVS trustee read more here.

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: News, Opportunities, Third Sector Jobs

Using virtual reality to deliver mental health support

Mental health Study by Mind in West Essex

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:

Author: Emily Smith
Posted:
Categories: News, Opportunities