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.
Salary: Up to £55,000 gross per annum FTE – depending on experience
Location: Hybrid – including offices in the local authority areas of Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford and Thurrock
Fixed Term Contract: Permanent
Due to the retirement of our existing Chief Executive officer we are looking for an inspirational and self-motivated leader to continue to develop Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex (CABSE). CABSE is a well-regarded local independent charity providing free, impartial and confidential information, advice and guidance to 20,000 people per annum.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a successful Local Citizens Advice in Essex serving a population of over 750,000 people spread across the local authority areas of Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford and Thurrock.
The successful candidate may be an experienced Citizens Advice professional, a Senior Manager with experience in the other parts of the voluntary sector or someone with an outstanding track record who is looking for a career change.
CABSE is an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our clients and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, satisfactory references and must meet the HMRC requirements to be considered a ‘Fit & Proper person’.
Closing date for applications: 5pm on Thursday 25th of September 2025
Stage 1 Interview dates: 13th and 14th of October 2025
📢 Mind in West Essex are looking for corporate sponsors in Harlow, Uttlesford and Epping Forest for our Mental Elf 2025 fun run / walk on December 7th 2025.
You’ll be helping to sleigh mental health stigma and raise vital funds for our work in West Essex.
🏅 Event, route, goodie bag and medal sponsorship packages are available. If you’d like to partner with us for this day of festive family fun for a great cause, get in touch today!
Salary: Up to £55,000 gross per annum FTE – depending on experience
Location: Hybrid – including offices in the local authority areas of Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford and Thurrock
Fixed Term Contract: Permanent
Due to the retirement of our existing Chief Executive officer we are looking for an inspirational and self-motivated leader to continue to develop Citizens Advice Braintree & South Essex (CABSE). CABSE is a well-regarded local independent charity providing free, impartial and confidential information, advice and guidance to 20,000 people per annum.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a successful Local Citizens Advice in Essex serving a population of over 750,000 people spread across the local authority areas of Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford and Thurrock.
The successful candidate may be an experienced Citizens Advice professional, a Senior Manager with experience in the other parts of the voluntary sector or someone with an outstanding track record who is looking for a career change.
CABSE is an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our clients and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, satisfactory references and must meet the HMRC requirements to be considered a ‘Fit & Proper person’.
Closing date for applications: 5pm on Thursday 25th of September 2025
Stage 1 Interview dates: 13th and 14th of October 2025
Rainbow Services, a community-focused charity based in Harlow, is inviting applications for two exciting roles:
1. Pedal Power Project Co-ordinator
Role Overview: Coordinate the Pedal Power programme, which offers free bikes to Harlow residents to promote active lifestyles and community well‑being.
Application Process: Submit a CV and a brief covering letter (max one side of A4) outlining your interest and relevant experience to Kelly at Kelly@rainbowservices.org.uk.
Deadline: Applications close at 5 pm on 26 August 2025.
2. Marketing and Communications Officer
Role Overview: Support the Harlow Place Partnership by delivering creative and effective marketing and communications for flagship local projects and investments.
Application Process: Submit a CV and a one‑page cover letter to Kelly (Kelly@rainbowservices.org.uk), detailing your interest and suitability for the role.
Deadline: Also closes at 5 pm on 26 August 2025.
Rainbow Services is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, welcoming applications from across the community.
Families across Essex are facing daily challenges that no parent or child should have to endure.
Children’s charity, Home-Start Essex is calling on the local community to step up and help.
This September, Home-Start Essex is inviting Essex residents, families and businesses to take part in a 2K–5K sponsored walk completed anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace to raise money for families with young children who are struggling daily.
From poverty and poor mental health to bereavement and abuse, the challenges faced by families with children under five are more widespread than many realise.
Right now, local families with children under five are experiencing serious issues, including:
• Social isolation
• Children with physical or learning disabilities
• Parents with mental or physical health issues
• Living in poverty
• Domestic abuse
• Bereavement
• Being rehomed or living in temporary accommodation
Home-Start Essex steps in, helping families get back on their feet, find hope, and build a better future. Last year alone, they
supported 1025 families and 2116 children with:
• Home Visiting – Weekly support from trained volunteer mentors for families in need.
• Family Support Groups – Helping parents build confidence, resilience, and school readiness through play and peer
connection, including SEND, Family Fitness & Fun, and Baby Massage groups.
• Wellbeing Groups – Support for parents struggling with their emotional wellbeing, who may be facing trauma, grief,
or postnatal depression.
• Essential Supplies – Food, nappies, blankets, and fuel support for families in poverty or temporary housing.
• Behavioural & SEND Support – One-to-one and group help for parents of children with additional needs.
• Counselling – Mental health support, including for survivors of domestic abuse.
• Befriending Calls – A listening ear for parents who feel isolated and alone.
Nic O’Brien, CEO of Home-Start Essex says: “We work with families who, at times, feel like they have nowhere to turn. We’re there for families when they feel lost and alone, helping them find strength, rebuild their confidence, and create a better future for their young children. We need the kindness and support of our local community to help raise much needed funds to continue our services to support local families facing hardship.”
By simply walking 2K–5K during September, around your local park, to the shop, or as part of a team day at work, you can help raise vital funds to keep these life-changing services going.
Thanks to the Essex Fun Walk scheme, every donation will be increased by 30–40% match funding. That means a £10 donation could become £14 plus Gift Aid without you having to do anything extra.
Participants can choose to fundraise through sponsorship or simply donate themselves to take part.
Everyone who registers will receive a welcome pack with sponsorship forms and details on our just giving fundraising page
online.
It’s a simple walk, but it can change the course of a family’s life.
The Sport and Youth Mental Health Project, led by the Active Essex Foundation, has officially completed its first year as part of a three-year, National Lottery-funded initiative. Now entering its second year, the project continues to support young people across Essex through the power of sport and physical activity, aiming to improve mental wellbeing and build stronger communities.
We’re excited to share that our evaluation partner, Centre for Mental Health, has published the Year 1 Evaluation Report, offering detailed insights into the project’s early impact, learning, and areas for growth.
📄 Prefer a quick read? Check out the 2-page Executive Summary, highlighting key findings and recommendations for the next two years: Executive Summary – Key Insights (PDF)
We are thrilled to announce that the Jack Petchey Foundation is now accepting new applications from youth organisations to host an intern on our next internship programme. We will part-fund up to 20 internships for one year in youth organisations across London and Essex.
The Jack Petchey Internship Programme is designed to give young people a flying start in the youth sector and to help youth organisations increase the support they provide for young people in London and Essex. This will be the eighth cohort of our successful internship programme, which has so far supported over 170 young people into essential jobs in the youth sector.
You are eligible to apply for a grant to help fund a paid intern at your organisation starting in March 2026, if you:
🌟 are a youth charity or CIO working with young people in London or Essex
🌟 are currently running the Jack Petchey Achievement Award Scheme
🌟 have an income between £150k and £5m
📅 Application deadline: 9am, Monday 8 September 2025.
🚨 Before starting your application, please read the application guidance notes very carefully, which includes details on eligibility criteria, what kind of roles we are looking to fund and what else is involved in hosting a Jack Petchey intern.
Insights from the VVU/ECVYS Listening Report and Community Grant Opportunity
Nearly 2,500 young people across Essex have had their say on how safe they feel in their communities, thanks to the Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) and Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services (ECVYS) Listening Report 2024/25.
This important piece of youth consultation provides not only a county-wide perspective but also breaks down feedback by individual districts. From parks and public transport to school life and social spaces, the report gives a powerful insight into the real concerns, challenges, and hopes that young people are voicing.
📄 The full report is available to read or download on the ECVYS website: 👉 ECVYS Youth Voices
VVU Community Grant 2026/27 – Now Open
Applications close: 10th September 2025
Local voluntary and community organisations are invited to apply for the VVU Community Grant 2026/27, under the theme #ConnectBelongStaySafe.
Organisations based in and delivering work with young people in Essex, Southend or Thurrock can apply for up to £22,000 to run projects between 1st April 2026 and 31st March 2027.
This year’s funding priorities are shaped directly by the findings in the VVU/ECVYS Youth Listening Report, reflecting what young people themselves have said is most important to them — with a focus on safety, connection, and belonging in their local areas.
📌 Key Details:
For not-for-profit, voluntary or community organisations
Must have a registered office and deliver work within Essex, Southend, or Thurrock
Projects must be youth-focused and align with district-level needs highlighted in the report
Let’s Talk Mental Health is about coming together to connect, support and inspire; and drawing on our own experiences to engage, empower and educate.
It’s a safe space where you can share your mental health journey, express yourself creatively through art or poetry, participate in a podcast and find meaningful opportunities to make change.
Help shift the narrative around mental health in Essex and beyond by having positive conversations, telling real stories and challenging stigmas.
We’re pleased to invite your organisation to apply to become a delivery partner for the Place-Based Support Element of the Your Essex Community Programme – a coordinated effort to strengthen and empower the voluntary and community sector (VCS) across Essex.
As part of this offer, we’re seeking organisations with experience in delivering high-quality, locally relevant infrastructure support – such as training, mentoring, peer learning, network facilitation, and organisational development – to help grow skills and resilience across VCS groups.
This resource is designed to respond directly to the unique needs of each area. The priorities for each district and borough have been informed by local listening events, feedback from VCS organisations, and system insight. Applicants should demonstrate their understanding of the local landscape, and proposals must align with the identified Place Plan priorities which can be found in the attached guidance document.
We’re particularly interested in working with partners who:
Understand the local VCS context and existing networks
Bring subject expertise in areas highlighted in place priorities
Are open to collaboration, innovation, and sharing learning across sectors
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted via our online form here by Sunday 27th July, 11:59pm. The full Guidance for Applicants document can be found attached.
