This is a place where you can find out about opportunities that are available to your organisation. From funding streams to events and training, The Essex Alliance will keep you informed.
This role is an opportunity to make a real difference and impact to people’s lives locally in the community by providing practical support to empower individuals to facilitate recovery and overcome barriers preventing them from doing the meaningful activities that matter to them.
The Essex Alliance is sharing this information on behalf of Parents 1st.
Pregnancy in Mind (PiM) is a free mental health support group for parents-to-be to find space for whatever they’re feeling. It is designed for parents experiencing or at risk of mild anxiety or depression, who are between 12 and 26 weeks pregnant.
Our PiM online groups are safe spaces where we support you with whatever emotions you’re feeling during pregnancy. PiM typically meets once a week for eight weeks. Sessions are for either parent. You can come on your own or bring a support person.
We’ll explore:
– Coping strategies
– How to understand your mental health
– Mindfulness and ways to boost your mood
– Relaxation
– Connecting with your baby
DATES
Tuesdays 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th June & 7th, 14th, 21st July (you will need to be able to attend all the sessions) TIME
6:30-8:00pm LOCATION
Online via Zoom COST
FREE
For more information and to register your interest in joining a group, please visit the Parents 1st website: Pregnancy in Mind – Parents 1st
The Essex Alliance is sharing this opportunity on behalf of Parents 1st.
Could you volunteer to make a difference of a lifetime? Help us to support parents through pregnancy, birth & beyond….
Join us for our Community Support volunteer training courses this June and July!
Having a baby should be an exciting life changing event for any parent. However, this is not the case for all parents – at the moment, we are experiencing a huge demand for emotional support pre- and post-birth from mothers, fathers and birthing people.
Peer support can be a lifeline for parents who are feeling vulnerable, anxious or isolated. Some friendly, informal and free peer support can make the difference of a lifetime. We are looking for kind, friendly individuals who have a listening ear, who are non-judgemental and who have experience and an understanding of the pressure of having a baby.
To help meet the demand for support for families across Essex, we’re looking for volunteers to help support new and expectant parents at our outreach events. We currently run regular outdoor walk and talk sessions, antenatal information sessions, coffee mornings, fitness and first aid courses and need volunteers to assist our friendly team at these events. Volunteers will help our peer supporters run the events – you might be welcoming parents, making tea, chatting and connecting with parents or holding a baby whilst mum has a drink!
DATES
Wednesdays 17th & 24th June and 8th & 15th July 2026 TIME
10:00am-1:00pm LOCATION
Corringham Fire Station, 37 Fobbing Rd, Corringham, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex SS17 9BG COST
FREE
Volunteer Opportunity – Day Centre Support Volunteer
Days: Wednesday and Friday Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm Location: Crossroads Day Centre, Braintree
We are looking for friendly, caring volunteers to join our Day Centre team, supporting adults living with Dementia, Parkinson’s, cognitive delay, and age‑related memory challenges. Our Day Centre provides a safe, welcoming space where people can enjoy activities, social interaction, and a sense of community.
What the role involves
As a Volunteer, you will help create a warm, enjoyable environment by supporting with light, meaningful activities such as:
• Crafts and creative sessions
• Bingo, quizzes and games
• Music, entertainment and group activities
• Chatting with service users and offering companionship
• Making and serving tea, coffee and refreshments
• Fetching and serving lunch prepared by our volunteer cook
• Helping staff set up and tidy away activity materials
What you won’t be asked to do
• No toileting or personal care
• No lifting or physical handling
• No lone working — you will always be alongside 3–4 paid staff and other volunteers
Who we’re looking for
• Friendly, patient and compassionate
• Comfortable chatting with older adults
• Reliable and able to commit to regular sessions
• Happy to follow staff guidance and safeguarding procedures
• Enjoys being part of a supportive team
What you’ll gain
• A rewarding role supporting local families and unpaid carers
• Experience working with people with dementia and similar conditions
• Training, support and a warm welcome from our team
• The chance to make a real difference to someone’s day
For more information or to apply, call 01376 529985 or email crossroads1974@outlook.com
The Essex Alliance is sharing this news on behalf of Home-Start Essex.
Families with young children across the Epping Forest District are at risk of losing a vital, free support service unless urgent funding is secured. Home-Start Essex is calling on individuals, businesses and the wider community to rally behind its Family Support Group in Waltham Abbey, a weekly lifeline for families with children under give facing some of life’s toughest challenges.
Without immediate financial support, this essential service which supports 20 vulnerable families each year faces closure.
“This group is more than just a weekly meeting; it’s a safe haven. For many parents, it’s the only place they feel heard, supported and connected.” – Nic O’Brien, CEO of Home-Start Essex.
The Family Support Group provides a welcoming, nurturing space for families dealing with issues such as:
Financial hardship and poverty
Isolation and loneliness
Poor mental health
Bereavement
Housing insecurity
Domestic abuse
One parent shared: “The family group was the first time I had properly talked to a group of adults since leaving the refuge nearly a year ago. It was good to listen to other people’s views, to open up about my anxiety and share tips”.
An urgent crowdfunding appeal launches on 14th May, with all donations matched pound-for-pound by the Aviva Foundation until 24th June 2026, doubling the impact for families in crisis. This means that:
A £30 donation becomes £60
A £250 donation becomes £500
Every pound donated up to £250 will be doubled, but only until Wednesday 24th June 2026.
All funds raised will directly sustain the group.
Help keep this essential service alive and ensure families in Epping Forest District continue to receive the support they desperately need. Donate online here:
Mind in West Essex currently have 2 vacancies within their Schools Mental Health Support Team.
They are recruiting 2 Qualified Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs) – 1 is a permanent post and the other is a 12-month fixed contract.
Working in Primary, Secondary and Further Education settings in West Essex, with an office base in Harlow. Some remote working is possible. Occasional travel across West Essex may be required.
Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
£33,677 inc fringe allowance and 26-27 pay uplift (Negotiable
depending upon experience)
Closing date: 29th May 2026
For full details, including job description and person specification, CLICK HERE.
The Essex Alliance is sharing this information on behalf of Essex County Council.
County, District, Borough and City council elections are taking place on Thursday 7th May 2026. To vote in person, by post or by proxy, you must be registered.
After you’ve registered, there are extra deadlines depending on how you want to vote, or if you need to apply for free voter ID. The deadline to apply is:
for a postal vote or a postal proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21st April
for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 28th April
if you need free voter ID is 5pm on Tuesday 28th April
Registering to vote helps make sure your voice is part of the decisions that affect local services, places and community life.
Age Well East is currently recruiting for an Operations Manager to lead and support its Advice & Welfare Service, helping people aged 60 and over across North East Essex and Braintree, with potential expansion into other areas of Essex.
This full-time, permanent role (37.5 hours per week) offers a salary of £36,000 and a hybrid working arrangement, combining home working, time at the Clacton office, and visits to community locations across Essex.
The Operations Manager will play a key role in overseeing the day-to-day delivery of the service. Responsibilities include supporting a team of Advice Caseworkers, a Carer Navigator and Senior Dementia Coordinators, supervising staff, managing referrals and case allocation, and providing guidance on complex issues relating to welfare benefits, housing and care. The postholder may also provide direct advice and information to clients where needed.
Working closely with colleagues and local partners, the role will help strengthen relationships with statutory and voluntary organisations, represent the service at meetings, and support community engagement activities to raise awareness of available support.
The position also involves monitoring service performance, contributing to contract reporting, reviewing case files to ensure quality standards, and gathering feedback and case studies to demonstrate the impact of the service. Ensuring compliance with Age Well East policies — including safeguarding, confidentiality, lone working and GDPR — will also be an important part of the role.
Age Well East is looking for candidates with experience or strong knowledge of welfare benefits and entitlements for older people, along with experience supervising staff or teams and managing complex situations with professionalism and sensitivity. Strong communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to build effective partnerships are essential.
A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes is required. Desirable experience includes contract monitoring, service development, safeguarding practice, advocacy, CRM systems such as Salesforce, and qualifications in Advice, Information and Guidance.
Renew Counselling and Training is hosting a CPD workshop on Eating Disorders & Body Image on Saturday 14 March (10am–4.30pm, Chelmsford).
Led by CEO and therapist Nikki Schuster (former associate trainer for Beat), this practical session supports counsellors to work confidently with clients experiencing eating disorders, body image concerns and body dysmorphia.
6.5 CPD hours | £40 external attendees
Suitable for adult & CYP counsellors and trainees on placement.
Every booking supports Renew’s charitable work providing affordable counselling locally.
Book your place now by emailing justinecolley@renew.org.uk – spaces are limited, so please book promptly to avoid disappointment.
Working in Primary, Secondary and Further Education settings in West Essex, with an office base in Harlow. Some remote working is possible. Occasional travel across West Essex may be required.
Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
£33,677 inc fringe allowance and 26-27 pay uplift (Negotiable
Closing date: 29th May 2026
