Library of Services

Accuro

Accuro provides social and leisure opportunities for children/young people and adults from the age of 8 plus. We aim to increase, confidence, self esteem and independence through a range of clubs and activities in Uttlesford, Harlow and Epping. Please contact us to find out what is available in your area

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
Activity groups for people with Dementia or Memory Problems

Our groups help people with Dementia or Memory problems and their Carers.

Keeping Active groups offer the change to engage in a wide range of physical activities.

The Active Minds group consists of activities that stimulate mind and memory.

Both groups offer the chance to socialise and have fun.

Action for Family Carers
Feeling Good, Caring Well

Our new initiative to help support Carers with their Physical, Emotional and Mental Wellbeing

Coming to an area in Essex near you!

Activities include

• Stress Reduction techniques
• Head/Neck Massage
• Light Physical fitness
• Reflexology
• Outdoor Activities

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 6 to 18)

Support for young people aged 6 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

Active With Parkinson's, Uttlesford

A totally independent and self supporting group serving the Great Dunmow and Saffron Walden areas led by very experienced Neurological Rehabilitation Therapist Paul Goddard. Weekly exercise class developed to improve mobility, posture, balance and flexibility. Classes also available for members in Tai Chi, Nordic Walking and Singing Therapy at no extra cost.

During the Corvid-19 lockdown, exercise classes and Tai Chi are being held weekly via Zoom.

By joining a group of other people with Parkinson’s who are actively combating the effects of the condition the participants will feel increased self-confidence and less isolated. 

Adult Mental Health Wellbeing Team

The Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Team provide short term support for people with mental health and emotional issues such as • Anxiety • Low mood • Stress • Depression

We can work with you to help you improve your wellbeing and quality of life.

Our aim to help you regain control and to move forward.

Affinity Water
Free Home Water Efficiency Check

*** AFFINITY WATER REGRETS THIS SERVICE IS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DUE TO VIRUS RESTRICTIONS ***

Great news!  We offer Home Water Efficiency Checks to help you save water, save energy and save money.  Each visit takes between 30-45 minutes and is worth around £80 but is absolutley FREE to our customers!

A trained technician will:

• Check for leaks
• Fit efective water saving devices where possible
• Identify ways you can save water and energy to reduce your bills
• Provide water saving advice to fit into your lifestyle

Alzheimer's Society
Dementia Connect Essex Professional Referrals

Through Dementia Connect our expert Dementia Advisors provide information, practical guidance and support to help those living with dementia cope with day-today challenges and prepare for the future, connecting them to the right support, at the right time, in the right way. 

Please submit referrals using the weblink provided.

If you haven’t registered with Dementia Connect before, click ‘get a referral ID’. It only takes a minute or two to register, and you can then use the referral form using your email address straight away.

Alzheimer's Society
Dementia Connect Support Service

Through Dementia Connect our expert Dementia Advisors provide information, practical guidance and support to help you understand dementia, cope with day-to-day challenges and prepare for the future, connecting you to the right support, at the right time, in the right way. They work with people worried about their memory, people with dementia, their carers and family members to identify their needs and to put in place personalised effective support plans to address these.

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.

Baby Stuff
Baby Stuff Braintree

Baby Stuff Braintree is a new charity whose purpose is to provide not only free clothing for 0-5 year olds but also baby and child equipment to those who are in need of this service in Essex.

Baby Stuff Braintree is a "Baby Bank". We provide clothes, pushchairs and other baby stuff  to parents in need.  

All our stock is donated and the service is run by volunteers.

Families are welcome to come along to a session and select the items they need.

Barnardo's
Invisible Lives Child and Family Support

(Formely Essex Children Affected by Parental Imprisonment (CAPI) Service)

Invisible Lives provides specialist support to the most vulnerable groups of children, young people and their families when affected by; the criminal justice system, risk taking behaviours and hidden harms.

We work closely with schools and other agencies to support young people at risk of hidden harms and other vulnerabilities including CSE, CE, drugs, gangs, knife crimes and youth offending. We aim to educate, support and increase confidence and self-esteem for children and young people experiencing trauma and poor mental health and well-being as a result of their situation.

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.

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.

To make a referral please use CARA's online form:

https://www.dpmscloud.com/external/referralformorgessex

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. If you look after someone......who looks after you? You can contact us to talk about your caring role and discuss any support you may need.

Choices - Open Road
Open Road

Covid-19 Update:  Open Road remains open, delivering mostly phone based support.  Referrals can still be made to this service. Group sessions are suspended.

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 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.

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
Help to Claim Universal Credit

We run a service called “Help to Claim” for those who need help to apply for Universal Credit, the new benefit that combines six benefits, including Jobseekers Allowance and Working Tax Credits, into one. People can get support from the charity as they submit their Universal Credit application until they get their first full payment.

Citizens Advice Uttlesford
Warm Homes Essex

A cold home is bad for your health. Warm Homes Essex is a new service set up by Citizens Advice to provide practical advice and support to people who are finding it hard to heat their homes and keep warm and well.  So, if you have high fuel bills; a low income; need help with switching your electricity or gas supplier; have a home that suffers from draughts, mould or damp, or you have an old or inefficient boiler or heating system, please get in touch.

The Warm Homes service can help in a number of different ways – for example by checking your benefit entitlements; helping you to manage fuel debts; advising on emergency fuel payments and grants for home improvements; offering energy saving ideas and making sure you are getting the best tariffs for you.

Community 360
Essex Family Support Service

Support for families in Essex including children & young people 8 to 19 years with LOW LEVEL 1 and 2 needs. Help to improve relationships, behaviour, social connections and emotional health and wellbeing. In addition to signposting to local services and activities a Volunteer Family Mentor may be allocated to give up to 10 weeks of support.

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
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 - Great Dunmow

This Service is Temporarily Suspended

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
Essex Shed Network

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.

CVS Uttlesford
Inclusive Activity Sessions

This service is temporarily suspended

Our inclusive activity sessions are suitable for those living with Dementia and/or any other long term health conditions.

We have a rolling programme of walking cricket, table cricket and clock cricket all led by Essex County Cricket Board.

All sessions take place on Wednesday's at 11.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.   Sessions are fortnightly from 12th February until 15th July.  You don't need to join and can turn up and play on the day.

CVS Uttlesford
My Weight Matters Uttlesford

This Service is Temporarily Suspended

The award-winning My Weight Matters programme is for adults who want to lose weight and be more active.

A range of organisations are working with Anglian Community Enterprise (ACE) to offer the popular 12-week programme, which delivers a common sense approach to losing weight.  CVS Uttlesford run weekly sessions in Dunmow, while UDC are providing the service in Saffron Walden.

Since 2007 the programme has helped thousands of adults to lose weight, get fitter and enjoy a healthier relationship with food, by empowering them to take control and achieve their goals.

CVS Uttlesford
Safer at Home

A combined handy-man and gardening service offered to make sure the most vulnerable people in our community are able to live safely in their homes.

We have a small team available to help residents feel safer in their homes, by undertaking tasks such as installing key safes for secure carer access, handrails and making sure steps at entrances are level and safe.   We want to reduce trips and falls, which can have a huge impact on a person's wellbeing, as well as helping them to be better connected to the community through using digital equipment such as video doorbells and computer tablets to make calls, order shopping and repeat prescriptions.

CVS Uttlesford
Winter Warmth Fuel Payments

Between December and March each year CVS Uttlesford is able to support people in need through the provision of an emergency delivery of domestic heating oil.    This forms part of our annual Winter Warmth Project funded by Essex County Council.

In addition to arranging and paying for a fuel delivery, we also have free winter warmth packs available.  

CVS Uttlesford Community Team
Community Builder South Uttlesford

Our Community Builder for South Uttlesford is available to help older residents increase their social connections and reduce social isolation.   

We are working to help residents be better informed about their health and wellbeing, so they are better able to keep safe and well.

CVS Uttlesford Community Team
Friendship Dogs

We can provide funded 1.5 hours sessions for individuals in either an indoor or outdoor setting following Government guidelines on COVID-19 safety. 

Our greyhounds will be brought to your location by our experienced handlers where participants will have the opportunity to spend time with the dogs.   Experience has shown that working with friendship dogs can help both the physical and mental wellbeing of people affected by loneliness, anxiety, depression, the recently bereaved, housebound, as well as those people living with dementia.

Deafblind UK
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.

Defence Medical Welfare Service
Welfare Service

Since 1943 the Defence Medical Welfare Service (DMWS) has been providing a unique, highly responsive and professional medical welfare service to those who serve the nation. Our welfare officers provide practical and emotional support to frontline staff during times of physical or mental ill health to improve wellbeing and recovery.

DMWS Welfare Officers work with patients when their medical needs are being met but when other issues, problems or social influences may be distracting them from their recovery. We provide practical and emotional support to ensure that no family goes through the worry of injury or illness alone.

Dementia Adventure
Holidays and Short Breaks

If you or someone you love is living with dementia you may feel that holidays are no longer an option. Perhaps, traditional models of respite that separate families don’t appeal to you. We may have the answer. We offer small group, supported holidays for people with dementia and their partners, family, friends or carers to enjoy together.

Our holidays are subsidised through fundraising to enable as many people living with dementia to benefit as possible. Our trained team and expertly planned itineraries mean you can have the holiday you have been hoping for. Whether you want to relax by the coast or walk up mountains, we have something for everyone

Dig It
Dig It Community Allotment

A meeting place for community food growing, social inclusion, sustainable horticulture and health education. We run regular programmes for volunteer skill development and local work experience. Professional wellbeing support is available and those needing additional help to volunteer are always welcomed.

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 who would like to have fun socialising, enjoying games and lives music.

We meet on the first Thursday of the month at the Rowena Davey Centre on Chequers Lane, Dunmow.  The evening starts at 6.30 p.m. and runs to around 9.15 pm.  

Annual membership of the club costs £16.00.  Guests £3 on the door for up to three trial sessions.

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

Face-to-face delivery of this service is temporarily suspended.  But if you wish to speak with us regarding any sight or hearing loss issues then please call us on 03330133262 or email:  sensoryservices@essexcares.org 

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.

Epping Forest District Council Homelessness Team
Estate and Land Management

Estate and Land Management relating to Council Housing.

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 - 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.

EPUT - Single Point of Access
Single Point of Access

The Single Point of Access service (SPA) is the referral coordination centre for Community Services.  

Provided by community nurses, case managers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, dieticians, respiratory nurses and palliative care providers.

Open 8am to 9pm, 7 days a week, including Bank Holidays. 

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 Befriends
Befriending

Whether you are feeling lonely, isolated, have stopped doing things you once loved, or generally lack confidence; we are here to help.

We offer a range of support including telephone, face to face and email befriending. You can start to build confidence, develop new connections and get back to doing something you love or find new interests.

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 Attendance Specialist Team (West Essex)

The Attendance Specialists offer strategic support to schools regarding school attendance, and advice/guidance to parents regarding school attendance. The Attendance Specialist Team 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. This information will be shared with ECC's Children Missing Education Team to 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 ECC Attendance Compliance Team.

Essex County Council - Library Services
Mobile Library - Uttlesford

The Mobile Library service visits many places around Uttlesford fortnightly. It carries a range of popular stock, including fiction, non-fiction and audio books, for adults and children. There is a selection of title in large print. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible. Items can be requested and will be brought out on the vehicle when available for collections.

Essex County Council Educational Psychology Service (West Essex)
Parent-4-Parent Support Group

Parent4Parent is a parent and carer support group for those whose children (aged 0-25) have social communication difficulties (with or without any diagnosis) or who experience difficulties coping with interaction and the social world. We aim to address the isolation that parents and carers often feel over a welcoming tea or coffee.

Essex County Council Youth Service
Good Man - Male Mentoring Programme

Good Man is a five week male mentoring programme for boys and young men who are at risk of entering into abusive relationships in the future and/or are at current risk within an abusive relationship. It can be delivered on either a group work or 1:1 basis, depending on need. The areas covered include: Making relationships work; Relationships in a digital world; Confidence; Manners and respect; Consequences; and Healthy relationships.

Essex County Council Youth Service
Prison No Way

Prison No Way is an interactive, practical and varied programme for young people who are becoming increasingly susceptible to being drawn into criminal activity, whether they are aware of this or not. The project looks to educate young people by exploring the realities of crime and offering insights into the consequences and relevant processes.

Essex County Council Youth Service
Sisters In Strength - Female Mentoring

Sisters In Strength is a five week mentoring programme for girls and young women who are at risk of entering into an abusive relationship, becoming a potential perpetrator within a relationship or are currently in an abusive relationship. Areas covered include: Making relationships work; Relationships in a digital world; Confidence; Manners & respect; Consequences; and Healthy relationships. 

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.  

*** During the COVID-19 outbreak home visits are limited to those people most at risk in their community.  We are able to provide telephone advice and guidance to less vulnerable people during this period ***

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service
Safe and Well Visits

Our trained Safe and Well Officers can provide advice and guidance in relation to fire prevention and home security, as well as signpost you to additional advice and support if you need it.  To keep yourself and your family safe at home, we recommend booking one of our free, personalised Safe and Well Visits. 

*** During the COVID-19 outbreak home visits are limited to those people most at risk in their community.  We are able to provide telephone advice and guidance to less vulnerable people during this period ***

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
Essex Restorative and Mediation Service

The Essex Restorative and Mediation Service works with people who have been involved in conflict, including criminal offences and anti-social behaviour. Restorative processes use communication between people who have been harmed, and have caused harm, to allow them to work towards positive outcomes in a safe environment.

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. Referrals into the service can be made via the website detailed below.

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.

Forever Ahead Community

We provide counselling and recovery support services, available to all within West Essex & East Herts. Session are given for free, however we do ask for a donation of up to £10 for counselling,. We work with other agencies and charities within the community to deliver the support our clients.

Freshwaters Christian Fellowship

We are a Christian church that seeks to encourage Health and Wellbeing through our meetings, events and activities. This includes meetings for those wanting to explore the Christian faith; a group we run for senior's in partnership with Rainbow Services; group walks; & general support and encouragement

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
Bereavement Factsheet Uttlesford

The death of someone we love can be one of the most difficult experiences of life.  Grief is a normal human response to a significant loss.  Grief is very personal and also unpredictable.  You may experience a wide variety of emotions and reactions you have never faced before.  This can be a painful and complicated process, sometimes medical advice or counselling can help.

Find local and national support services which include support for children, as well as those who have experienced the sudden death of a loved one.  These services are for anyone who has been bereaved of someone at any time.

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
Discrimination (Uttlesford) Factsheet

This factsheet provides information about different types of discrimination and how to take action if you feel you have been discriminated against. 

Factsheet created 16/6/20.

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
Hate Crime (Uttlesford) Factsheet

This factsheet provides information about hate crime, what it is and how to report it if you, or someone you know, has been a victim.

Factsheet created 16/6/20.

Frontline
Health Walks Factsheet Uttlesford

Our guide aims to give you some information on the local walks which take place in the Uttlesford District.

These range from weekly guided walks, to mapped walking routes throughout the area.

Frontline
Keeping Warm Factsheet Uttlesford

This factsheet gives information on local services and national schemes which can help you stay warm and well in winter, together with ways to be more energy efficient and save money on your bills.

The information includes obtaining fuel benefits, keeping well and avoiding falls, reducing bills and improving energy efficiency, home improvements for a warmer home, accessing the Lifeline community alarm and what to do in an emergency.

Frontline
Planning Ahead Factsheet Uttlesford

This factsheet gives you information to help you plan ahead for the end of your life.  This can be difficult but can help you stay in control of the way you are cared for and ensure that your dependents are provided for after your death. 

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 declutter, do gardening, wish dishes, vacuum etc. We don’t stop there! We do all we can to grant very special wishes to the unsung heroes - their children.

Harlowsave Credit Union

We are a not for profit community bank offering accessible banking services, savings accounts and affordable loans for people living or working in Essex or East Hertfordshire. We specialise in helping people in financial difficulty by offering money management advice and affordable loans.

We also offer budgeting advice via our SMARTAdvice project and a debt referral system.  This service is available to Harlow residents only.

Headway Essex
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.

Headway Essex
Headway Essex Support Groups

As a charity, our mission is to ensure that everyone in Essex living with an acquired brain injury can live a fulfilling life and that families and carers are better able to cope within their caring roles.

Many people who have a brain injury find our support group meetings very beneficial. The groups provide you with an opportunity to meet others who have a brain injury, to share information and to hear from experts in brain injury care and rehabilitation.

If you have not attended one of our groups before, you will need to contact the community support team  to pre-register your attendance.

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 Living Healthy Lives CIC
Chat, Connect, Create

Social get together for anyone in the community. At time to chat, craft, play board games - make new friends and acquaintances

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

Herts and Essex Yoga
Yoga4Health

The yoga4health programme is to improve health and wellbeing for those who:

• Want to gain confidence in an exercise environment
• Need to improve heart health
• Need to lower risk of type 2 disabetes
• Suffer from stress, anxiety or mild depression

Home-Start Essex
Carver Barracks Drop-in Family Group

Our family group drop-in is available to support families who want to meet other parents, build connections and gain peer support from others. With professionally trained volunteers on hand, parents find a safe and contained space to share their experiences.

Home-Start Essex
Home-Visiting Service For Families

Free, confidential family support service for families with a range of issues such as loneliness and isolation; mothers with postnatal depression; one parents or parents experiencing relationship problems; families struggling with the emotional and physical demands of having twins, multiple births or several pre-school children; a family overwhelmed by the death of a loved one; families where there are special needs, disabilities or an ill child.

Home-Start Essex
Parenting Together Support Programme

The Parenting Together Support Programme may be able to help parents where stress and conflict are affecting the family by offering parents support either through 1-2-1 sessions via Zoom or telephone.  The programme offers parents support that suits their circumstances to work towards strengthening their parenting skills for the benefit of the children and address conflict within their relationship.

Home-Start Essex
Well-being Group

Our Wellbeing Group is a therapeutic led programme for parents affected by/or at risk of developing mental health difficulties. Each week, be introduced to new self-care activities including mindfulness, arts and self-esteem building. This service is delivered ONLINE where you can meet, share and support each other.

Integration Support Services
Immigration Services

Our mission is to support the successful integration of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and BME community members.

We are registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). We are authorised to provide immigration advice and services at Level 1 in the categories of Entry Clearance (leave to enter, leave to remain), Nationality and Citizenship, EU and EEA immigration law, managed migration and asylum. 

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

COVID19 ARRANGEMENTS:  Jobcentres are currently temporarily closed for face to face support but are offering virtual support by telephone, email and journal.

For Essex-tailored employment support please email:  TalkTo.Paul@dwp.gov.uk.

Further information can be found on:

https://jobhelp.dwp.gov.uk/  AND  https://employerhelp.dwp.gov.uk

https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits  AND  https://www.gov.uk/browse/working/finding-job

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
Family Innovation Fund Early Help Coaching and Mentoring

The Family Innovation Fund Early Help Services are for Children, Young People and Parents/Carers with low level needs that cannot be supported by services such as Schools, and GPs alone.  FIF provides that little bit of early help to support children, young people and parents/carers to;

• have healthy inter-parental & family relationships
• be emotionally healthy, happy and resilient
• make behaviour choices that promote safety and wellbeing
• be socially connected and resourceful

Kids Inspire
Talk Together

A child, young person, adult or keyworker can access our mental health service to meet with a qualified psychotherapist/ counsellor online . They will be given a space to discuss how they are feeling, how they are managing family dynamics or loneliness.

Useful wellbeing resources or activities, mindfulness, creative work will be explored – whatever is determined from the initial sessions to help.

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.

Leonard Cheshire Digital Inclusion
Digital Inclusion

Supporting disabled people to access digital technology. Leonard Cheshire’s Discover IT programme supports disabled people, and those working with disabled people, to access the digital world; providing training and support together with the latest in accessible technology.

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.

METRO
HIV Peer Support Group Essex

Our peer support groups provide a chance to come together with others living with HIV.

Why people use this service:

• I'm living with or affected by HIV
• I'm struggling to come to terms with my diagnosis
• I want to meet other people affected by HIV

Michael Roberts Charitable Trust
Maybury Open Door

Maybury Open Door is based in Harlow and is managed by a team of MRCT Community Workers and volunteers.  It is a community drop-in resource which welcomes adults from 18+ years to promote community spirit and integration.

Maybury Open Door is open to all and supports a wide range of adults including elderly, people with a disability, homeless, isolated people and others who just need to venture out and meet new friends.  The centre seeks to promote the ability of people, and to encourage them to take an active role.

Mind in West Essex
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.