Citizens Advice Essex, the consortium of local Citizens Advice serving Essex, Southend and Thurrock, has entered into a long-term partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to set up and deliver a new specialist advice service providing expert welfare benefits advice to people diagnosed with cancer and their families.
The service aims to support individuals holistically, to ensure the financial effect of their diagnosis is mitigated by ensuring all possible benefits are claimed, other sources of financial support accessed and that they are referred to other Citizens Advice or Macmillan services where appropriate.
We have 14 positions available across four roles – ranging from specialist casework, supervision and administrative support. To request download details or to apply please click on the links. For an informal discussion, please contact Martin Lord on 077422 31152 Or email martin.lord@citizensadviceessex.org.uk
The great majority of funding is applied to projects and groups within Essex: either directly or through national charities for specific Essex-based projects. Each application is considered by the Trustees collectively, and if approved, an appropriate donation is determined.
The Grants Administrators may arrange to visit potential recipients before or after any grant is awarded in order to establish any anticipated benefit, or to monitor its outcome.
The Trust does not award annual grants. At least 12 months must elapse before further applications may be made.
Applications for core funding, project-based initiatives, refurbishment of premises and also equipment costs may all be considered for awards.
We are always looking for people to tell us about their story and experiences but we also occasionally have opportunities to get more fully involved in shaping future services across Essex. These are open to you if you live or work in Essex and are keen to volunteer with us. You can give as much or as little of your time as you want, but any time you can give will make a difference.
From time to time we recruit for specific opportunities to represent voice of people in Essex as services are re-designed.
These roles can involve:
Attending meetings with NHS managers and clinical staff
Inputting to and challenging new proposals for services
Reviewing leaflets and information given out by the NHS
Engaging with other patients to feed their experiences back alongside your own
In the Year that Harlow turns 75 we are celebrating all that the Voluntary & Community Sector has to offer Harlow Residents.
Come and join us in The Water Gardens on Thursday 4th August between 11.00am and 3.00pm To book a stall or for more information, contact Kelly as per below.
Networking…Sharing experiences…Partnership working… E-bulletin…Strengthening the voice of the sector…Workshops… Discussion…Guest speakers…Training…News…Support…
The public and community serving organisations are invited to attend a Compassionate Communities Tendring network workshop, from 10-12 on Weds 13 July at the Friendship Room, Pier Avenue Baptist Church, 117 Pier Ave, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1NJ.
Compassionate Communities Tendring is a network for residents, organisations, groups, schools, healthcare services, service users and carers, that promotes and support kindness, compassion, and a collaborative approach to caring for one another at times of health crisis and personal loss.
Start-up workshops in Clacton and Harwich have provided an opportunity for people to share and learn about existing community assets and to discuss and identify local priorities that can improve care for those experiencing end of life and bereavement.
This workshop will focus on the creation of a shared action plan – including identifying a calendar of community events and activities that the network can collaboratively promote and support.
Everybody is welcome – the wider community representation that supports a Compassionate Community approach the better! Please just confirm if you would like to attend via CompassionateCommunities@sthelena.org.uk so that we can manage numbers.
Get help for your good cause, charity or community group
We can help you connect with businesses that have volunteer time, money or product surplus to donate. The first step is to create your free page and tell us what kind of help you need.
Neighbourly is an award-winning giving platform that helps businesses make a positive impact in their communities by donating volunteer time, money and surplus products, all in one place.
My Name is Les Nicoll I am a Community Builder for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.
As we finally begin getting back to near normal after these two awful years
I would like to restart
Network speed dating
Whilst some of you will remember these events from pre Covid
I realise that several will be very confused.
Network Speed dating is a Free, fun opportunity to catch up with old friends working in the community or build new community connections.
It is a great way for new team members to create their own contacts list, so even if it does not suit you, please forward to others in your team
I have for several years, arranged Network speed dating events across the county and have seen very many successful partnerships formed between organisations.
How does it work?
Speed Networking involves up to 25 or so people from Community support team’s charities or structured organisations.
Sitting in a line opposite to somebody else from the community, you get a total of Just 6 minutes to discuss your roles and work in the community at the same time. The person opposite is telling you of theirs.
After 6 minutes the bell goes (or a still strikingly handsome older Firefighter shouts, “Move on”)
At which point you move on to the next person until you have engaged with all people in the room
This creates the opportunity to make up to 24 new contacts or renew friendships with old contacts
There will be an hour at the end to develop any contacts or potential partnerships.
To ensure the informal atmosphere, there will of course be Tea/Coffee, breakfast and cakes
As I keep saying, I really want these events to be very informal and fun, knowing how committed we all are to our jobs I know lots of new partnerships will be made also each of us will get lots of sign posting opportunities going forward.
For the best results, one person from each organisation is ideal.
They can then pyramid the information down to others in their team.
Please let me know if you or a member of your team are interested.
This is a fun and Successful Networking event
The main point being that we meet many people from lots of different organisations,
If you would like book a place at this Free event, can you email me.
* Your name,
* organisation,
* e mail and contact telephone numbers plus permission to copy add to attendees listTo save Business cards I will try to develop a contact list so then all you need is a Highlighter to mark the people you need to follow up.
Feel free to bring along pull-ups or advertising boards to make the event seem more professional Please also could you help me by forwarding this e-mail to as many of your contacts that you feel might be interested.
We do need new blood so any charity, organisation or community support team would be very welcome.
Feedback shows that we have an average of 14 new worthwhile contacts.
And 3-4 renewal of old contacts from each event
Tendring Community speed Networking
Clacton Fire station, St Johns Road Clacton
18th July doors open 09.30am for 10.00am start
If you require any further information about this event, please feel free to give me a call on 07779129888
Join Essex Opportunities for their monthly live show focusing on different topics relating to employment and training opportunities in Essex. Each show is 25 minutes long and they will be joined local employers, training providers, and employment advisors, who will be available to answer your questions and help you find the right opportunity for you.” Wednesday 13th July at 6pm
“Are you interested in starting a new career? Then join Essex Opportunities Live as they discuss careers in sports and fitness for Essex residents. Join them Wednesday 13th July 6pm – 6.25pm
The Visual Impairment Procedure helps safeguard visually impaired members of the community who need to confirm if a person at their door is a police officer.
Use of the procedure is optional, but it does add a layer of security and assurance when visual identification of a police officer by their uniform or warrant card is impractical.
Depending upon the reason for calling at your address, the officer may not need to come into your property. If it’s appropriate, they may be able to discuss matters at the door, but you still have the option to use the Visual Impairment Procedure to verify their identity.
Who can use this service?
The procedure can be used by anyone with a visual impairment, to any degree, and regardless of whether they have a guide dog or not. Other eligible service users would include anyone who cares for or supports someone who is visually impaired.
Those members of the community living with dual sensory loss can also use the protocol but depending on the severity of the hearing loss, it may be best that a carer or someone else in their support network, assists.
How does the procedure work?
You are safeguarded by verifying the identity of a police officer that has called at your address, before you let them into the premises. This verification is facilitated by the Police Contact Centre, either over the phone or by the attending officer using an agreed password.
The individual steps to be followed when using the protocol can be found at the end of this page.
When can the procedure be used?
There are two scenarios when the protocol can be used.
Firstly, when you or someone calling on your behalf, calls 1 0 1 or 9 9 9, you can ask the Police Contact Centre to use the procedure. In this scenario, a memorable one-time-password is chosen, and this is shared with the officer that is dispatched to your address. When the officer arrives, they will be expected to state the password to the person answering the door. If the officer cannot give the password, they should not be allowed into the property.
The procedure can also be applied in a second scenario where you have not initially called the police. In this scenario the officer’s attendance could be planned, for example a pre-arranged appointment, or unplanned, such as spontaneous house-to-house enquiries. In either case, you would call 1 0 1 and confirm the identity of the officer by verifying their collar number, purpose for the visit, and a log number if this is available. If this information cannot be verified, the person at the door should not be allowed into the property.
Calling 1 0 1
The Police Contact Centre will answer 1 0 1 calls as soon as possible. At times of peak demand, there may be a short delay, so please be patient and keep your door closed and locked whilst making the call.
The officer may say that they will return in a few minutes to give you time to make the call. You should not feel pressured to hurry the process, the officer understands, and they will attend to other duties nearby.
Some notes on safety and security
It is always best to be cautious when answering the door to someone you don’t know. Use a door chain or bar if one is fitted and never let anyone into your property if you are unsure of their identity.
All Essex Police officers have been briefed on the Visual Impairment Procedure and will understand when you ask them to wait outside while you use the protocol. A police officer will never insist on entering your property to wait while you make the call to confirm their identity.
An officer will never tell you that you don’t need to verify their identity. If you wish to use the procedure, they will support you in doing this. They will not, however, offer you their own phone for you to make the necessary call.
The officer may ask for some time while they contact the Police Contact Centre to check information. Please allow them to do this as they may have been asked to attend your address at short notice. If something doesn’t feel right though, and you are worried that the person at the door is not really a police officer, call 9 9 9.
Using police powers to enter your property
It is a police officer’s duty to protect life. In an emergency, they may need to enter the premises without delay to achieve this.
An officer may also exercise police powers under very specific circumstances to enter your property. Examples of this range from preventing serious damage to property, to arresting somebody for an indictable offence. These circumstances are laid out in law and such police powers are only used where necessary.
Should any police officer have to enter your property without waiting for you to use the Visual Impairment Procedure, they will give clear instructions to you and anyone else in the property. The officer will describe events and ensure you are fully informed of what is happening.
Steps to follow when using the Visual Impairment Procedure
This final section describes the steps to be taken for the two scenarios when using the Visual Impairment Procedure with Essex Police.
Steps for scenario 1, when you need to call the police and verify the identity of the officer that attends
The protocol begins when you call 1 0 1, or if it is an emergency, when you call 9 9 9.
When you are connected to the Police Contact Centre, tell the call handler that you would like to use the Visual Impairment Procedure.
The call handler will ask you to choose a memorable one-time-password. They will help you if you are not sure what to choose. In an emergency, they may pick a password for you.
The Police Contact Centre will inform the officer attending that the Visual Impairment Procedure is being used, and what the one-time-password is.
When the officer attends your address, you should ask the officer for the password without letting them in.
The officer’s response will either be:
The correct password, allowing you to admit them into the property.
OR, an incorrect password or no password provided, which should prompt you to contact 9 9 9 and ask for the police. When you are connected to the Police Contact Centre, explain that you are using the Visual Impairment Procedure, and you are unable to verify the person at your door is a police officer. The police call handler will assist you.
That concludes the steps for scenario 1.
Steps for scenario 2, when you need to verify the identity of an officer that has called at your address, but you did not initiate the visit
The procedure begins when a police officer calls at your address and you wish to verify their identity.
Without letting them in, tell the officer that you would like to use the Visual Impairment Procedure.
The officer should provide you with their collar number, purpose for the visit, and a log number if this is available. Record this information by whatever method is easiest for you. This could be using assistive technology such as a voice recorder or your phone. If you are partially sighted, you can ask the officer to write the details down clearly to assist you.
The officer may explain that they will come back a little later, or they may wait outside while you verify their identity.
Call the Police Contact Centre on 1 0 1 and ask to use the Visual Impairment Protocol to verify the officer’s identity.
Tell the police call handler the log number, the officer’s collar number, and purpose for the visit.
The police call handler’s response will either be:
The details are confirmed, allowing you to admit the officer into the property.
OR, the details are not confirmed, which should prompt the call handler to dispatch a police officer to check on your welfare. A memorable one-time-password will be used to verify the identity of that officer, in the same way as scenario 1.