Library of Services

4SX Essex Carers - The Way to Work

Essex Carers - The Way to Work is a Building Better Opportunities project, funded by Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund, which aims to help Carers back into volunteering, work, or education.

Accuro
Parenting Support Project

The Parenting Project supports parents/carers of children with a disability, providing home visits, specifically designed parenting workshops including emotional, sensory and behavioural issues, a nationally recognised parenting programme, and a support group. We also have a wealth of knowledge on other agencies and resources.

ACL Essex
Adult Learning

ACL (part of Essex County Council) offers a wide range of daytime and evening adult learning courses to help you with your health and wellbeing, improve your job prospects, learn a new skill, or simply inspire you. Our ACL Harlow Centre also offers FREE Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery courses.

Action for Family Carers
Macmillan Carers Service

Action for Family Carers

Macmillan Carers Service – Support for Carers

The Macmillan Carers Service provides emotional and practical support to people helping someone through cancer . The team provides someone to talk to about support and information

This carers service is provided across the whole of Essex including Southend and Thurrock.

Action for Family Carers
Young Adult Carers (ages 16 - 24)

If you're aged 16 - 24 and are feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, tired, or just missing out on opportunities your friends take for granted, we can help. We provide Young Adult Carers support and information when it is needed through social opportunities, while providing support for your family.

Action for Family Carers
Young Carers (ages 8 to 18)

Support for young people aged 8 to 18 who help to care for a family member. This person may have a long term illness, a physical or sensory impairment, mental health problems or a drug or alcohol addiction

Adult Mental Health Wellbeing Team

We are a small team of Social Care staff covering the Essex County Council area.We provide early help to adults who have a mental health concern, who are experiencing some form of difficulty with social care, related to their mental health or emotional wellbeing.  

• Feeling able to complete activities of daily living  • Feeling socially active or independent from others • Feeling you have positive and useful contact with your friends, family and wider community • Feeling able to find, or attend work, education or other meaningful activities • Using services in your community • Using public transport or getting out of your home without feeling anxious or stressed.

We will work with other support providers who you may be in contact with.

Affinity Water
Free Home Water Efficiency Check

We are offering Affinity Water customers a FREE Home Water Efficiency Check;

Check for leaks and undertake simple repairs to taps and toilets for FREE. We can fit up to five effective water saving devices worth £50 absolutely FREE. We can identify ways you can save water and energy to reduce your bills FREE. We provide a FREE Water Efficiency Report.

It’s good for the environment, great for your household and with the savings you could make on your bills, it’s really positive for your pocket too!

Age UK Essex
Home Help Service

The Home Help Service provides help with vacuuming, dusting, cleaning bathrooms, washing floors, laundry, changing beds and emptying rubbish bins. We can also buy your shopping and collect prescriptions. The sitting/companionship service enables you to have respite time to yourself, knowing your loved one is safe. Our reliable sitters offer good companionship.

Age UK Essex
Toenail Cutting Service - Uttlesford

We offer a toenail cutting service to anyone who is unable to cut their own toenails. Our team of trimmers will help you remain mobile, avoid becoming isolated and housebound, reduce the likelihood of falls and avoid the discomfort of long toenails.

Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer's Society, Uttlesford Office

The Dementia Support Service provides support, advice and guidance to people with dementia and their carers.It assists people with dementia and their carers to identify their needs and access appropriate services.

Anglian Community Enterprise
My Weight Matters

A range of free weight management services for adults registered with a GP surgery in Essex.

Our programmes are designed to promote safe weight loss of between 0.5-1 kg (1-2lb) a week.

Introducing steps one week at a time to help build the tools that will enable confident use for continued weight loss.

Venues in Loughton, Harlow, Epping, Stansted Mountfitchet, Saffron Walden, Great Dunmow. 

Anglian Community Enterprise
NHS Health Checks

The NHS Health Check is a sophisticated check of your heart health. Aimed at adults 40 to 74, it checks your vascular or circulatory health and works out your risk of developing some of the most disabling but preventable illnesses. There will be time to discuss the results with the health professional afterwards.

For details of next screening date in your area please telephone 0800 0224524 (Option 1) or email healthchecks@nhs.net to see if you are suitable for the programme.

Barnardo's
Little Goslings Children's Centre

Children’s Centre providing family support and learning through play opportunities for all families with children under 5 years old.

Barnardo's
Spangles Children's Centre

Family support and learning through play opportunities for Families in the Stansted area with children under 5 years old. We provide services and activities to support parents in th everyday challenges that they face in bringing up young children.

Braintree Jobcentre Plus
Braintree Jobcentre - Employment Prospects

Advice and guidance regarding benefits provided by Department of Work and Pensions

We can arrange home visits for people with medical conditions that are prevented from leaving their home, once they have made a claim.

British Lung Foundation
Breathe Easy

Breathe Easy Saffron Walden is a support group for people with breathing problems including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Emphysema, Asthma, Lung Cancer, Bronchiectasis, etc., and their carers. We arrange for speakers to attend some of our meetings, both medical and nonmedical, quiz afternoons and occasionally entertainment. There is always a raffle followed by tea and biscuits or cake. We organise midday lunches and an annual outing and Christmas lunch.

British Red Cross
Mobility Aids

We provide a range of mobility aid equipment for loan and sale. Equipment includes wheelchairs, commodes, highback chairs, raised toilet seats and walking aids.

CanalAbility

Provides fully adapted and accessible canal boats to enable people with disabilities to enjoy relaxing and uplifting holidays and day trips on the river. Our boats are adapted not only so that people with mobility difficulties can get on to and around the boats, but also offer facilities such as hoists and remote steering.

CARA
Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse

We offer a confidential and non judgemental support service for survivors of sexual abuse and violence. This could have occurred recently or in the past and could involve a stranger, a relative or someone you know.

Carers First - Adult Carers
Adult Carers

A community-based service which supports carers to sustain their caring role whilst maintaining their own health and well being.

Choices - Open Road
Open Road

Open Road is a charity that provides support for individuals affected by drugs and alcohol. Offering client based recovery with options of one-to-one sessions, structured recovery programmes, family support, M-PACT (Moving parents & children together) and needle/syringe programmes.

Citizens Advice Uttlesford
Citizens Advice Money Doctor

We help you to understand your income and expenses. We can help you save money on bills or budget for something nice. We can help if you have no money or need extra money in an emergency. We can help you set up a bank account, comparing credit card/loan deals and debt.

Citizens Advice Uttlesford
Citizens Advice Service

We help to resolve your problems related to benefits, money, debt, relationships, housing, employment, legal, consumer and discrimination. We help by listening, explaining your options, making phone calls, writing letters, completing forms, negotiating on your behalf, directing you to other useful organisations, campaigning about unfairness. Advice Quality Standard registered.

Citizens Advice Uttlesford
Keeping Warm in Uttlesford

A cold home is bad for everyone's health. If you are in need of help with high fuel bills, low income, switching, draughts, mould, damp, broken boilers or heating - please get in touch.

Community Agents Essex

Supporting independent living through social inclusion: getting out and about; increase confidence to go shopping, visit neighbours or other places; mobility in the home; adaptations for ease/safety; meeting people; local groups/activities to make new friends; healthy eating/living; practical support/information.

Credit Union
Uttlesfordsave Credit Union

Accessible savings and affordable loans. Budgeting and money management.

Cruse Bereavement Care Cambridge (Fenland/ Uttlesford)

Cruse Bereavement is a national charity which is dedicated to supporting and talking to those who have lost a loved one. Our volunteers are specifically trained to help adults and children through incredibly difficult time.

Signpost only.

cst.today
CST.Today

A social and activity group for people living with mild to moderate dementia, using the principles of Cognitive Stimulation therapy to deliver a fun, stimulating session which runs all day with a hot meal at lunch time. Half day sessions are also available.

CVS Uttlesford
Community Builders Scheme

If you are 65 or over, live in the South Uttlesford area and you'd like to get out and about more but don't know where to begin, we can provide you with support and information about local activities, such as social clubs, befriending groups, members-led activities and much more. We understand it is easy to lose confidence doing things on your own and that's why we will offer help and support, so you can start participating in local activities that could improve your wellbeing and connect you with like-minded people. The Community Builder Scheme is an exciting new way of re-connecting those experiencing loneliness and/or isolation with their communities by enabling older people to access local social activities.

CVS Uttlesford
CVSU Signposting Service

CVS Uttlesford offers a signposting service for local people to voluntary organisations, community groups and charities. From small parish friendship groups and social care schemes, to larger charities working in their local community.

CVS Uttlesford
Dementia Cafe

An opportunity for people with dementia and their carers, to meet up for peer support and social interaction.

This is an intiative created by the Dementia Action Alliance

CVS Uttlesford
Farmer's Cafe

A weekly get together for farmers and retired farm workers. This is a farming social group for those who have worked in agriculture. We meet in a working farm cafe for tea and cake and a chat.

CVS Uttlesford
Green Matters Gardening Project

*** PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A 6-8 WEEK WAITING LIST FOR THIS SERVICE ***

Green Matters is a gardening project aimed at helping the vulnerable elderly (over 65) or disabled residents in Uttlesford, who have lost control of their gardens. 

Through the deployment of teams of locally sourced volunteers, gardens will be fully or partially reclaimed, in order to improve local resident's health and wellbeing and to reduce the risk of trips and falls.

This project is to restore gardens and is not for general garden maintenance. 

Project is only delivered in Uttlesford.

CVS Uttlesford
West Essex Community Sheds

A community shed offers a safe space where men share the tools, skills, experience and resources they need to work on projects of their own choosing at their own pace. They are places of skill-sharing and informal learning, of individual pursuits and community projects, of purpose, achievement and social interaction.

Deafblind Organisation

The Deaf Blind Organisation offers support and guidance to deafblind people, their carers, family and friends, as well as professionals working with people who have a loss of both hearing and sight.  We also offer The Befriender service for those who are feeling lonely. We’re also keen to help those recently diagnosed, using the befriending process as a means to prevent social isolation.  Our popular Peer Support & Social Groups provide those with both sight and hearing impairments plus their carers an opportunity to meet people and make friends.

Dig It
Community Allotment

A community project for environmentally responsible food growing, social inclusion and health education. We run regular programmes to assist participants with employment, mental wellbeing and social integration by providing work experience and training in sustainable horticulture. Professional wellbeing help is available on request and Peer Support is actively encouraged.

Dogs Trust Freedom Project
Dogs Trust

The Dogs Trust Freedom Project is a free dog fostering service for people that are fleeing domestic abuse and going into refuge or emergency accommodation. This service is available across the whole of West Essex. This is a free service and all the dog's expenses are covered by Dogs Trust.

Dunmow Flitch Friendship Club

Dunmow Flitch Friendship Club (DFFC) is a registered charity serving the Great Dunmow community and surrounding villages.   We are a friendship group for residents aged 50 plus who would like to spend time in the company of others like them.    We meet on the first Thursday of the month for a social evening with games and live entertainment and occasionally offer coach trips, parties and celebration events.  

Annual membership of the club costs £16.00

ECL Saffron Walden
Copy Cats Print and Design

Copy Cats is a social enterprise located within the Saffron Hub. It is a print and design service that adults with a learning disability attend to gain skills for employment and develop their IT and printing skills, including binding books and ensuring that products have been made to a good quality. Once a product has passed all quality checks the next task is to distribute either via a courier or post, again this is another part of the training.

Copy Cats provides print and design for ECL but also works with external companies.

ECL Saffron Walden
ECL Saffron Walden Hub

Our service provides support for adults with a learning disability and/or physical disability aged 18 plus. We aim to empower and encourage people to be independent in making choices of activities within the service and attend groups in the local community. We work in a person-centred way and tailor our support to benefit individuals.

ECL Saffron Walden
Noah's Cafe

Noah’s café  is located within the Saffron Hub and is a social enterprise. Noah’s provides work based training for adults with a learning disability with first steps to gain employment or voluntary work. Our café provides an opportunity for people to develop skills in catering, waitressing, stock rotation, ordering stock, till operation and people skills.

ECL Saffron Walden
Saffron Carpentry

Located within the Saffron Walden Hub, the service is a social enterprise that offers work based training for adults with a learning disability.  Saffron Carpentry design and make products to sell ranging from bird boxes and chopping boards to children’s toys.

ECL Sensory Service

We are a team of sensory specialists delivering needs-led and person-centred services to people with sight, hearing and dual sensory impairments, their families, carers and the wider community. Our high quality services are focused on early intervention, improved wellbeing and maximising independence.

Employ-Ability
HeadsUp

HeadsUp provides support, advice and mentoring to people with common mental health problems to help them get back into the workplace. HeadsUp is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund.

EPUT - West Essex Macmillan
Cancer Information and Support Service

Support and information to anyone who has concerns about cancer, their relatives, friends and carers. We offer befriending and respite support in your own home. We can provide details of other local and national cancer support agencies and services and benefits advice. We provide a supporting service to allow patients, relatives and carers to access suitable national and local information about cancer, cancer prevention and local services.

EPUT - Health Visitors
Health Visitors

The Health Visiting Service consists of specialist community public health nurses (SCPHN) and teams who provide expert information, assessments and interventions. Health visitors (HVs) help to empower parents to make decisions that affect their family’s health and wellbeing and their role is central to improving the halth outcomes of populations and reducing inequalities. Health visitors are able to support you in the antenatal period when you will be offered a visit from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Health visitors can support the transition to parenthood and the early weeks, provide assessment and support for mental health (perinatal depression).

PLEASE NOTE: Health Visitors have been commissioned to Virgin Care - as soon as we have details we will update - in the meantime contact details are the same.

EPUT - MS Nurse Specialist
MS Nurse Specialist

The MS Nursing Service offers support and guidance for people with MS from diagnosis onwards. I offer advice regarding treatment options, symptom management, general support for the patient and their family, onward referral to appropriate services and liaison between the community team and acute services.

Essential Living Fund

Emergency assistance will be provided for a short term period to help with the purchase of food, toiletries and fuel.

Eligibility will be assessed over the telephone 0300 7900124 (calls charged at standard rate), and it is free to telephone from local council offices.

Essex County Council
Family Innovation Fund Early Help Services

These Early Help Services have been commissioned by Essex County Council and are for children, young people and parents/carers with low level needs, as detailed in the Essex Effective Support for Children and Families.

Parents and young people (over 13) may self-refer.

http://www.escb.co.uk/

Essex County Council
The Missing Education and Child Employment Service (MECE)

The Missing Education and Child Employment Service (MECE) encourages members of the public to contact us where it appears that a child or young person may not be receiving a suitable education at school or otherwise. MECE will investigate the circumstances and seek to remove any barriers which are preventing the child or young person from accessing a suitable education. Where schools are concerned about absence levels, they will seek to work with parents/carers to address these concerns and where attendance does not improve, may consider referring the matter to the MECE. 

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service
Home Safety Visits

We provide the occupier with general fire safety advice such as electrical and kitchen safety, as well as offering guidance on night time routines and a fire action plan. This will include how to summon the Fire Service and how to escape the property should a fire occur. Smoke alarms are also provided and fitted, at no cost to the occupier, if it is deemed necessary.

Essex FCN - The Farming Community Network
FCN Essex

The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times.

Since 1995, we have helped thousands of people deal with a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal disease, mental health and family disputes. Our volunteers will "walk with" you and help you find a positive way through your problems - for as long as it is needed.

Essex Restorative Justice Hub

The Essex Restorative and Mediation Service offers Restorative Justice and Mediation to residents in Essex who are, or have been, involved in crime or conflict. We arrange safe communication between parties (those who have been harmed, and those who have caused the harm, or others in dispute such as neighbours).

Essex Safeguarding Adults Board
Social Care Direct Helpline

You can call us for anything from straightforward information and advice about the abuse and the safety of adults in Essex; to the disclosure of a specific concern about your own safety of somebody that you know. Should you wish to report maltreatment of an adult in Essex we will take your concern seriously and ensure that it is investigated appropriately.

Help us to keep adults safe across Essex. Remember, ignoring abuse is not an option - Any person with knowledge of, or suspicion that a vulnerable adult may be at risk of abuse or is being abused must report their concerns.

Call the Social Care Direct line on 0345 6037630

Essex Youth Service Young Carers Team
Essex Young Carers Service

Young carers are children and young people under 18 years old who provide regular and on-going care to another person who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances. Young adult carers are aged between 16 and 24, and can also access support from this service. We offer free personalised support to young carers and their families that will be developed with you around your need for help and the caring you do.

EYPDAS
Essex Young People's Drug & Alcohol Service

EYPDAS is an integrated substance misuse service delivering CHOICES Integrated Recovery Management System and Structured Interventions Service in partnership with Open Road. We aim to support children, young people and families in Essex who are affected by substance use and misuse. We provide personalised assessments, care and recovery planning, one to one support, therapeutic group work, a range of counselling techniques and support for parents and families. We also offer access to positive activities, such as art and gym groups, structured recovery programmes and targeted group work programmes.

Families in Focus

Families in Focus aim to support children and young people with disabilities (aged 0-19) and their families by providing them with a range of services in West Essex. We provide helplines and advice to guide and support you as much as we can. Educational, DLA (Disability Living Allowance) Applications, and Social/Respite opportunities are included.

Family Solutions
Children and Families Hub

Family Solutions is a team within Essex County Council that provides a variety of support for families who are experiencing difficulties.  Family Solutions approach is to work alongside families on issues that they want to change, so the work undertaken varies from family to family.  We often support with issues such as family dynamics, parenting and the impact on families of things such as domestic abuse, mental health difficulties and substance misuse.  Most work is carried out in the community, often in family homes.  Family Solutions also runs several group work programmes.

The duration of the work undertaken varies according to need.  The average current length of work is 5 months.  Family Solutions’ work with a family never exceeds a year.

Fledglings Family Services
Product Solutions for children with additional needs

Fledglings specialises in finding product solutions for children with additional needs. In some cases, we refer clients to appropriate organisation. If a need is so unique that a product is not easily identified, we search for a solution. We hope to support your child's development and inclusion and give relief to families as carers.

Freshwaters Contact Centre
Child Contact Centre

We provide a safe neutral meeting place where children can meet with parents, grandparents or siblings that they have been separated from because of family breakdown.

Frontline
Advocacy Factsheet Uttlesford

This fact sheet gives details of advocacy services. An advocate is someone who can speak on your behalf or who can support you to speak for yourself, especially in formal situations or when you don't feel very confident.

Advocacy doesn't always have to be provided by paid professionals. Often people take a friend or family member with them to important meetings to give moral support, and to speak for them if required.

Advocacy services give priority to the most vulnerable people, or those with the most complex issues who have no other appropriate form of support. If an advocacy service is unable to help, they may suggest other local organisations who can provide assistance.

Frontline
Befriending Factsheet Uttlesford

This fact sheet gives details of local and national befriending services.  These services provide conversation and companionship in order to reduce isolation and loneliness.  Some services may also offer specific support to people managing long term illness or disability.

Frontline
Complaints Factsheet Uttlesford

This fact sheet gives details of how to make a complaint about a health or social care provider; for example if you are unhappy about the care you have received from a doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacy, social care service, hospital or care home.

Frontline
Dementia Support Factsheet Uttlesford

This factsheet provides information on a wide range of dementia services. 

Contact details are given for organisations that provide emotional and practical support and resources for people with dementia and their carers. 

Information ranges from carer support, independent living and keeping safe, to befriending and social activities.

Frontline
Going Home from Hospital Factsheet Uttlesford

This factsheet gives information about the discharge process from Princess Alexandra Hospital as well as information on organisations and services available locally that can help you once you return home.

Frontline
Support for the Housebound

This fact sheet gives details of services in Uttlesford that support people who are housebound as a result of illness, disability or age.

Frontline
Travelling Options in Uttlesford

This fact sheet gives information on transport options in Uttlesford, including non emergency transport to hospital and medical appointments. It also provides information on the help available to pay for travel to medical appointments. 

Frontline
Victims of Crime Factsheet Uttlesford

This fact sheet gives the details of national services that offer support for victims of different types of crimes. This may be one-to-one support with drop-in sessions, counselling, therapy, or community orientated organisations that provide practical help.Anti-Social Behaviour and Hate Crime, Anti-Slavery and Trafficking, Child Services, Victims of Stalking, Sexual and Domestic Abuse Advice and Support, Traffic Victim Support, Support for Victims of Murder and Manslaughter, Forced Marriage Victim Support, General Victim Support

Grant A Smile CIC
Grant A Smile

We help to improve the quality of life of parents and families battling chronic illness, by offering a CLEAN and healthy home for FREE! We iron, declutter, do gardening, vacuum etc. We don’t stop there! We do all we can to grant very special wishes to the unsung heroes - their children.

Headway Essex
Community Support for Adults with Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury

We are able to give informed practical advice or facilitate more expert support as required. Support workers provide direct, emotional or practical support and informal counselling. We aim to educate the person and the carer about brain injury. We identify the individual and family needs and facilitating actions through Headway Essex resources or external agencies or professionals to ensure equipped support.

Healthwatch Essex
Healthwatch Essex Information Service

We provide information about health and care services in Essex. We also help people to find out about, access and navigate health and social care services.

Healthy Minds (NHS Psychological Therapies)

Healthy Minds provides access to a wide range of talking therapy treatments for adults with common mental health problems, including: depression, anxiety and long term conditions. Healthy Minds help clients to better understand their emotional difficulties and develop new ways of thinking and coping based on agreed individual goals and needs.

Hearing Help Essex

A quarter of a million people in Essex have some degree of hearing loss, nationally that amounts to one in six of the population. Hearing Help Essex exists to alleviate the isolation and loneliness that hearing loss can bring. Our services include: 

• Practical help with NHS hearing aids
• Information, advice & guidance
• Assistive equipment demo & loan
• Hearing loss seminars & training
• Drop in sessions and events
• Signposting to other organisations

Homestart Essex
Support and friendship for families

We are a voluntary organisation offering confidential support for families with at least one child under 5 years old that live in Saffron Walden, Great Dunmow, Stansted and the surrounding villages. Homestart links closely with all the agencies who are committed to working within the framework of Every Child Matters.

Integration Support Services

We provide one-to-one support advice and guidance to migrant families in the Uttlesford area. The aim of our work is to help families to integrate successfully in the local community, reduce isolation and improve opportunities for better employment/education. We can provide immigration advice at OISC level 1, interpreting and translation.

Jessability Dance

'Jessability Dance' classes will provide participants with excellent opportunities to increase important aspects of their health, self-esteem and overall wellbeing, and to gain valuable life, social and communication skills through a range of individual and group dance experiences.

The exciting exercises and musically-based routines include interactions with a range of colourful and motivating resources to promote expression through dance.

If this sounds like something that you would like to get involved in or you know someone who would enjoy the sessions, please get in touch with us. 

Jobcentre Plus
Social Justice Team

For customers in receipt of Working Age benefits (Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support) who face barriers preventing them from engaging with the labour market. The Social Justice Coach will work intensively with the customer to help them move forwards towards their goal.

Kids Inspire
West Essex Early Intervention Team Counselling and Mediation

The primary purpose of this support is to reduce and/or prevent the breakdown of parental or family relationships, conflict within families or early emotional distress becoming a complex issue for a child or young person. Professionals will work one-to-one with siblings, whole families or parents and carers to achieve these outcomes.

Lambourne End Centre for Outdoor Learning
Food for Thought

A health and wellbeing project, engaging people in meaningful activities, learning new skills, keeping fit and developing confidence in calming surroundings. Individuals work on the land planting, nurturing and harvesting fruit & veg. This improves their self-esteem, mental and physical well-being and self-worth, ultimately assisting with their integration into society.

Lions
Appliance Short Term Loan Scheme

We provide wheelchairs, commodes, walking frames plus various other mobility and home aids on a short term basis, usually two months. It is intended to help those people that suddenly find that they need help following an injury or medical treatment and are in need of a short term loan of a wheelchair etc. on a temporary basis while the long term solution is being arranged through the NHS or Social Services.

Mind in West Essex - Adult Mental Health Clinical Triage
Adult Mental Health Clinical Triage Service

Mind in West Essex provide the Clinical Triage Service for Adult Mental Health services in the West Essex area. Referrals from GP surgeries and other health professionals should be directed through this service to access the correct support for thier patient.

Mind in West Essex - Befriending
Befriending - Reducing Loneliness

The Reducing Loneliness Project aims to find innovative ways to reduce loneliness in our community and improve health and wellbeing in isolated people across the county.

If you've stopped doing things you used to enjoy or would like some companionship while you try something new then we can match a befriender to you and get things going.

If needed befrienders will visit people at home or call for a chat.

Mind in West Essex - Bereavement

Leading up to and following the death of someone close to you, it is usual to struggle with a range of emotional and practical difficulties. 

We understand that everyone’s experience of loss will be different and therefore we have a range of support opportunities available. 

We aim to offer flexible, personalised and cost effective support for people experiencing these difficulties. 

We offer: counselling, befriending, education about the physical and emotional effects of loss, coping with loss and change course, group work, practical support, reading materials.

Mind in West Essex - Futures in Mind
Futures in Mind

We run community groups and activities that allow adults 18+ who are recovering from Mental Health issues to meet others who are also recovering and feel included in friendly, sociable activities. The Peer Support Volunteers who run these groups are all people who have experienced mental ill health.

Mind in West Essex - Keep Growing
Keep Growing

Keep Growing is a new volunteer project providing opportunities for gardening, and working on a vineyard in a beautiful, peaceful rural setting. This unique setting provides opportunities for taking part in relaxing outdoor activity all year round, with the aim of boosting physical and mental wellbeing. We'll be working in a small group and NO previous gardening experience required!

Mind in West Essex - Life Management Skills

Our Life Management Skills service is ideal for anyone experiencing anxiety or worry, stress, anger, depression and low self-esteem. You will get to understand how and why you think and behave and develop new skills to manage these problems more effectively.

Mind in West Essex - Private Counselling
Fee Paying Counselling

Our counselling service provides you with the opportunity to explore worries, concerns or mental health difficulties that you may be experiencing. It can enable you to use your own insights and resources to work towards resolving the issues you face. The Mind in West Essex counselling service compliments services provided by NHS.

Mind in West Essex- Wellbeing Assistant
Wellbeing Assistant

A Wellbeing Assistant can provide you with practical and emotional support to improve your wellbeing. The support costs £15 per hour. You could have help with a particular task that causes you anxiety  such as preparing to move, filling in forms, or writing letters, or more regular weekly help such as managing your shopping or going to social events. 

Morelife Ltd
Morelife

A free 14 weeks weight management programme followed by 8 monthly maintenance sessions. MoreLife is based on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy interventions combined with specialist dietetic input. Moderate and sustainable weight loss and long-term weight maintenance are the goals of the service.

Open Door

Open Door has been commissioned by Essex County Council Family Innovation Fund to provide: Coaching (14yrs+) and Mentoring (8yrs+) as an early intervention with the purpose of improving outcomes by reducing and/or preventing: • Negative behaviour • Risky behaviour • Aggressive behaviour • The breakdown of relationships • Social isolation

Open Door Counselling Service
Open Door Counselling

Open Door is a free and confidential service based in Saffron Walden for young people living in Uttlesford and the greater surrounding area aged 13 - 26. We are an independent charity, operating under British Association of Counselling guidelines. Our counsellors are volunteers and are either fully qualifiedor in the last stages of their Diploma training.

PACT for Autism

We support families and individuals with Autism and similar needs

PACT for Autism is a charity providing support for the families of autistic children, autistic adults and people with similar conditions. Our key services include the Parent Support Line, monthly meetings for parent and carer support, and a vibrant activities and events calendar, including our popular autism talks and training series.

Parkinson's UK
Parkinson's Support Group Uttlesford

We meet in Saffron Walden and Dunmow. We offer people with Parkinson's (and their spouses or carers) the chance to meet and share their experiences at monthly meetings. Tea and coffee are provided. We have speakers, quizzes, craft sessions, a Christmas Lunch and Spring and Summer outings.

parkrun UK
Great Dunmow parkrun

parkrun organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs around the world. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in.

These events take place in pleasant parkland surroundings and we encourage people of every ability to take part; from those taking their first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience; we welcome you all.

We all run for our own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace!

Participants must register with parkrun first but membership and participation are completely free! https://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/

Peabody Trust
Essex Floating Support Service - Uttlesford

We help people with sustaining their accommodation but helping them address: rent or council tax arrears; benefit claims; budgeting; priority and non-priority debts; evictions and re-possessions; health, wealth and well-being; sign posting service; and assistance with tribunals and benefits.

As part of a recent merger - services delivered by Family Mosaic are now branded as Peabody.

Provide
Care Navigation Service

The service helps people over 16 years of age who have social in addition to health needs, and would benefit from support with non-medical issues such as:

• Help to access community activities
• Lifestyle management
• Identifying volunteering opportunities
• Increasing personal resilience, boosting self confidence and decreasing any feelings of social isolation
• Referring to appropriate other services

Provide
Essex Lifestyle Service

Provide’s Essex Lifestyle Service aims to empower the people of Essex to make healthy lifestyle choices, and live healthier lives. We will listen to you, discuss your needs and then offer you up to date and evidence-based help and support, to enable you to make changes to your current lifestyle.  We offer Stop Smoking support, guidance on diet and exercise and help to improve your self-esteem. We also offer classes to support people suffering from Long Term Conditions. In addition to the services we provide, we are able to signpost people to appropriate support provided by partner organisations.

Provide
Smart Life

Smart Life aims to improve health and wellbeing and keep people independent in their homes. If you are struggling with any aspect of daily living and need support, we will make referrals to other services.

REAL part of the Ethan Rees Linwood Memorial Fund
REALfriends

REAL friends provides a structured, long term, support program designed exclusively for young people currently enduring bullying. REALfriends will equip young people with a toolbox of practical skills which will empower and help them deal with the effects of being bullied.

Royal Association for Deaf People
RAD Deaf Law Centre

RAD will offer free advice in the following areas: • Welfare Benefits • Debt • Housing.

If you need advice about applying for benefits, worried about PIP, issues relating to your housing situation, bedroom tax, rent arrears, or any other debt issue, we can help.

Safer Places
Accommodation and Outreach support to victims of domestic abuse

We provide outreach support to victims of domestic abuse across Essex, through our community-based services. Safer Places is an independent charity which provides a comprehensive range of services to adults and children affected by abuse who live in West Essex.

Saffron Hall
Music & Dementia groups run by Saffron Hall & Anglia Ruskin University

Saffron Walden Dementia Action Alliance, SWDAA
Dementia Support

We aim to help individuals, local shops, businesses and service providers recognise the signs of dementia and how it can impact on those who live with it. We can advise on how making small changes can help people living with dementia continue to be included in and contribute to our community.                                         

Ultimately we would like as many organisations, shops and service providers to sign up as a member of the  Saffron Walden Dementia Action Alliance. We will help them to become familiar with dementia and encourage their employees to become Dementia Friends. Where requested the DAA can provide Friends Sessions and also advise on small changes that can be made to make their environment more dementia friendly to employees, clients or customers. 

Saffron Walden Stroke Club

A friendly, welcoming group for people who have suffered a stroke, or are carers for someone that has.

Come along and join us and continue your journey to a more fulfilling life!

The Saffron Walden Stroke Club offers help to local people who have suffered a stroke, with their rehabilitation and reintroduction into the community.  Assistance is offered with a wide range of rehabilitative exercises, all performed under the guidance of Registered Exercise Professionals.  

We also hold a social hour during which we encourage members of the club, and their family/carers to meet and talk together.

Saffron Walden Talking Newspaper
Talking Newspaper for the visually impaired

We provide a service to all visually impaired persons, who wish to be kept in touch with local news and views in Saffron Walden and the surrounding areas.

Self Management UK
Self-management Training for People with Long-term Conditions

Self Management UK provides a free self-management course for people with ANY long-term conditions, including diabetes, arthritis, heart problems, mental health issues, COPD, among others. The course helps people develop skills to cope with daily challenges; improve wellbeing and become more confident in managing their health.

Sophie's Fund

An unexpected change, such as illness, job loss, rent rise or relationship breakdown can tip people over the edge financially; in this situation a small grant can sometimes make all the difference. Sophie’s Fund can help cover the cost of necessities such as fresh food, kitchen equipment, gas or electricity top-ups, travel to appointments, medicines, nappies, clothing and emergency accommodation.

Spark
Spark Counselling

A counselling service available to young people age 11-19. Instant access to a qualified and experienced counsellor at a subsidised rate, and free if needed. Donations to the work of the charity are accepted.

Spark
Spark Mentoring

One to one mentoring support for young people aged 11-16. Mentors can bring significant support, encouragement, advice and guidance to young people through this non-judgmental partnership based on respect.

SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity
SSAFA Uttlesford

SSAFA have been serving the Armed Forces community for over 130 years. We aim to meet the needs of servicemen and women, veterans and their families. SSAFA works in partnership with other military charities and organisations to ensure that those who turn to us for help get the support they need.

St Clare Hospice
Clinical Services

Our Hospice team provide specialist palliative care across West Essex and the East Herts border, working to deliver excellent care for patients and their families. Our specialist clinical team consists of Doctors, Specialist Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Psychological Therapists, Complementary Therapists, Counsellors, Social Workers and Chaplains.

St Clare Hospice - CNP
Compassionate Neighbours Project

Compassionate Neighbours will be matched with people in their community which is based on interests, lifestyle & things they have in common. We ask that the Compassionate Neighbour meets with their Community member for at least 1 hour a week to encourage a genuine relationship to develop in time.

St Mary's Church, Wendens Ambo
Wenden Neighbours

This is a "good neighbour" scheme which aims to give assistance with transport, visiting, hospital visits, shopping, collecting prescriptions and laundry.

St. Mary's Church Saffron Walden
Transition Project

Support and help for those who are unemployed, including teaching necessary interview skills, CV writing, job searches and expertise in making applications and interview practice.

Stroke Association
Information Advice & Support Service

Our service can provide practical assistance, essential information and emotional support. It might be that you just need someone to talk to who will understand your situation, or help with form filling or signposting. We can work with you to look at secondary prevention, or set your own goals and help achieve them.

Support 4 Sight
Befriending Service

An Essex-wide Befriending service for people with a sensory loss. Each person will be matched to a dedicated Befriender who will be in regular contact with them.

Support 4 Sight
Support 4 Carers

Support 4 Sight is a registered charity with a service for the Carers of partially sighted and blind people in Essex. The service provides emotional support and advice to anyone who cares for a loved one with visual impairment, at no matter what stage of their journey. We encourage all members to talk and share information with each other to better their and their loves one's day to day living.

Support 4 Sight
Support 4 Visually Impaired People and their families

A registered charity helping people with visual impairment. Providing emotional support; advice; equipment; information; assistance with visual aids/equipment; social drop-in sessions, coffee mornings (Saffron Walden, Dunmow, Braintree, Witham, Epping, Harlow, Chelmsford); social trips; Carers group; regular equipment supplier days and exhibitions.

Test Service Only
Test Service

This is a test site only for people to learn how Frontline works.

Thaxted Centre for the Disabled

The Centre for the Disabled in Thaxted provides free creative activities in a pleasant and caring environment for the benefit and enjoyment of physically disabled people in and around Uttlesford.

The Change Project
Relationship Counselling

We offer Relationship Counselling for Couples, Families, Teens and Children.

Whether you’re looking for help here and now or long term, we have a service to match.

The Children's Society East
Family Intervention Team (Parenting Support)

We help parents who are struggling with a child’s challenging behaviour. We offer parenting programmes to improve parenting capacity and the behaviours and life chances of children and young people, through creating awareness, sharing knowledge, building resilience and enhancing skills within local communities. 

The Children's Society East
Safe in Essex

We offer support and guidance for young people in Essex. Our aim is to give early help and support options for children and young people, looking to reduce risk-taking behaviours by children and young people and improve their future outcomes.

The CompanyCompany Limited
The CompanyCompany Ltd

We provide exclusive, quality companionship, assistance and other services to the older person in their own home, retirement communities, or in Residential or Nursing Homes.

The Fragile X Society
Fragile X Information and Support

Fragile X Syndrome is the most common known cause of inherited learning disabilities. It can cause a wide range of difficulties with learning, as well as social, language, attentional, emotional and behavioural problems. It is a complex condition and can be very wide-ranging in its effects. Our Family Support Workers will be very pleased to give individual, tailored support, advice and information that is specific to particular requirements of both families and professionals.

Uttlesford Buffy Bus Association
Buffy Playbus

We provide a mobile Playbus service which visits 15 different communities within Uttlesford on a weekly basis. We enable pre-school children and their carers to come together in a welcoming and neutral environment, strengthening communities, educating through play and observation and building self-confidence and self-esteem. We signpost families to support services.

Uttlesford CAB
Citizens Advice Disability Home Visit Service

We check eligibility for disability benefits, such as: Attendance Allowance (AA); Personal Independent Payments (PIPs); Disability Living Allowance (DLA); and Carers Allowance. If we believe that you are eligible, a trained volunteer will help you complete forms. We can also help with appeals if we feel that an error has been made in a decision. We also offer winter planning advice.

Uttlesford Community Travel
Community Transport Services

Uttlesford Community Travel supply accessible disabled transport, for over 60s and those that are rurally isolated. This service supports hospital, GP and medical appointments. This service helps vulnerable people get to the shops and allows people to travel. Group trips can be arranged. We are wheelchair friendly.

Uttlesford District Council
Customer Services Team

The Customer Services Team will refer members of the public to the relevant departments within the council and outside organisations. They deal with queries regarding Benefits, Council Tax, Bin Collections, Council Housing, Licensing, Planning, Building Control and Leisure Centres

Uttlesford District Council - Benefits
Benefits

Help with Uttlesford District Council Housing Benefits, local council tax support and Universal Credit.

Dunmow Housing Benefit and Local Council Tax Support Surgery - every Tuesday between 9.00am and 12.00pm hrs. there is an experienced advisor at Great Dunmow library to assist with any queries regarding help with your rent and/ or Council Tax. You do not need an appointment to use this service, just turn up and you will be able to speak to a specialist in private.

Uttlesford District Council - CommunityHealth and Fitness
Specialist Exercise Classes

A Community Physiotherapist will attend the first session handover. All classes are attended and supervised by qualified Level 4 instructors. Each client will work to their targets using specially designed gym programmes and home exercise recommendations.

Uttlesford District Council - Council Tax and Benefits
Council Tax Advice Team

We can advise you about your Council Tax charge and provide information or application forms for all discounts, exemptions or reliefs that you may be entitled to claim. We can also offer payment advice and find solutions to keep you on track with your monthly instalments.

Uttlesford District Council - Council Tax and Benefits
Council Tax Exceptional Hardship Fund

This fund has been set up to support our most vulnerable customers who have seen a reduction in the Government support which helped to pay their Council Tax Liability or for those who are suffering financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances. These support payments are set up to provide short term relief and therefore should not be seen as a long term solution to debt problems. Applicants will need to ensure they have taken all reasonable steps to resolve their own situation prior to application. The Fund can be used to help reduce the amount of Council Tax they have to pay for the current financial year, it cannot be used for previous years balances. An applicant does not need to be in receipt of Local Council Tax Support to make an application.

Uttlesford District Council - Council Tax and Benefits
Council Tax Recovery

Council Tax Recovery Team - contact us for help and advice regarding repayment of outstanding Council Tax or Business Rates once a recovery notice has been received. Dunmow Library is available for making payments and basic advice.

Uttlesford District Council - Council Tax and Benefits
Housing Rents (Uttlesford Council Tenants)

Advice for tenants of Uttlesford District Council on all aspects of paying their rent and help for people struggling with council charges.

Uttlesford District Council - Day Centres
Cutlers Kitchen (Thaxted Day Centre)

Cutler's Kitchen provides the perfect venue to enjoy a sociable and great value two course freshly cooked lunch for a mere £5, either with friends or to meet new ones. Or if you fancy something more indulgent, pop in on a Friday morning for coffee and home made cakes before lunch!

Uttlesford District Council - Day Centres
Rowena Davey Centre (Dunmow Day Centre)

Conveniently located in central Dunmow, the Rowena Davey Centre offers a friendly and spacious environment in which to enjoy coffee and homemade cakes with friends or to stay for a freshly cooked excellent value two-course lunch for £5.

Uttlesford District Council - Day Centres
Takeley Day Centre

Takeley Day Centre provides a welcoming and friendly environment to enjoy a two course hot meal for a mere £4.80. This is served to customers by dedicated volunteers who go out of their way to make newcomers feel welcome. Birthdays are celebrated with accompanying refreshments and a raffle is held weekly.

Uttlesford District Council - Day Centres
The Crafton Centre

The Crafton Centre provides a friendly and sociable place to meet with friends and enjoy a freshly cooked two course hot meal for only £5. Special diets can be catered for. The Centre also hosts other events and activities for the enjoyment of local people.

Uttlesford District Council - Day Centres
The Garden Room (Saffron Walden Day Centre)

The Garden Room is based in the delightful setting of Jubilee Gardens, in the centre of Saffron Walden. The centre is warm and inviting and is an ideal location to enjoy a coffee and cake, or home cooked lunch with friends or make new friends. Occasional activities and events are held.

Uttlesford District Council - Environmental Health
Environmental Health

The Environmental Health Team is dedicated to helping solve issues related to Food Safety, Health and Safety at work, Infectious Disease Control, Food Hygiene Training Courses, Skin Piercing and tattooists, etc. Private sector housing disrepair. Disabled Facilities Grants, adaptations. Minor repair grants. Public health, noise complaints, nuisances. Pest/animal. Private water supplies.

Uttlesford District Council - Housing
Housing Options

Housing advice for people in all tenures of accommodation. Advice on affordability or suitability of current housing and help with finding somewhere suitable to live. Advice if you are at risk of becoming homeless, or you are at risk of domestic violence.

Uttlesford District Council - Lifeline
Lifeline Service - Community Alarms

Lifeline is an emergency telecare service which provides clients with the ability to call for assistance in an emergency 24 hours a day. Users can be connected to a call centre that will contact a relative/friend for them. It allows clients to remain safe and independent in their own home for longer.

Uttlesford District Council - Sustainabilty
Energy Advice Team

Provide advice to all residents on how to reduce energy costs and to keep their homes warm by having insulation and other energy saving measures installed. We give advice on grant funding, ways to save money, energy and water. Energy saving devices/booklets/thermometers are also free of charge.

Uttlesford District Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch

To provide advice and support relating to crime prevention, reducing the fear of crime, and assisting in the detection of crime by providing timely information to the police.

Uttlesford Foodbank

The foodbank provides free emergency food. As well as receiving food for a minimum of 3 days, users may be directed to further help and support if required. This service can be used up to 3 times, with a break of a month before re-referral.