Mental Health

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
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

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.

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.

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

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
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.

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
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 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.

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.

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.

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
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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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
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
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

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.

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.

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.

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
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.

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.

Mind in West Essex
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 - 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 - Wellbeing & Futures in Mind
Futures in Mind

Covid-19 Update: Our service remains open, delivering phone/text/Skype (or similar) based support. Referrals can still be made to this service. Face-to-face sessions are suspended.  Our 'Live Chat' facility is also open - access via our website www.futuresinmind.org.uk 

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 - Wellbeing & Futures in Mind
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.

Miscarriage Association
Miscarriage Association Advice Service

The Miscarriage Association offers support and information to anyone who is affected by the loss of a baby due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.  We have a staffed helpline, a network of support volunteers, information leaflets, website, online support and placs for remembrance. 

Please note that this is a signpost only service and that the client must contact the service directly.

Morelife Ltd
Morelife

MoreLife is a Tier 3 service that delivers a 12-month FREE specialist group programme. There are 12 weekly group sessions, each lasting for an hour and a half, followed by maintenance sessions. The MoreLife programme provides:

• Specialist nutritional assessment & support

• Advice around physical activity

• Psychological understanding of losing weight & support

NELFT NHS Foundation Trust
Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service

The Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (EWMHS) provides advice and support to children, young people and families who are in need of support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties.

The service covers Southend, Essex and Thurrock and is open to young people between the ages of 0-18, or up to 25 for those with special educational needs.

Any child or young person experiencing mental health difficulties as well as any parent, guardian or professional can access the service for help and guidance.

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 qualified or in the last stages of their Diploma training.

We can talk about relationships, self-image, abuse, depression or anxiety, loss, sexuality and parenthood - anything that's troubling you.  We don't judge, we never dismiss.  We're here to listen. 

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
Live Well Link Well

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
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.

ROOTS POD Academy C.I.C.

Our aim is to raise positive affirmations and confidence levels in young people through engaging entrepreneurship workshops, facilitated by real business owners who share practical techniques from their area of expertise to help achieve business goals. We also work with schools and colleges to boost grades and reduce challenging behaviour.

Safer Places
Accommodation and Outreach support to victims of domestic abuse

We provide outreach support to victims of domestic abuse across 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 the Uttlesford and Epping Forest District area. We also provide safe refuge accommodation

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

Sophie's Fund Uttlesford
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 upwards. Mentors can bring significant support, encouragement, advice and guidance to young people through this non-judgemental 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 - Bereavement Service
Bereavement Cafes (Uttlesford)

Anyone who has experienced the loss of someone close to them, no matter how long ago, is welcome to attend our Bereavement Cafés. They are completely free to attend and you are welcome to drop in at any time throughout the events. The atmosphere is very relaxed and informal with hot drinks and refreshments. We would love to see you there.

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.

Uttlesford District Council - Council Tax and Revenues
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.

Volunteer Centre Uttlesford
Dementia Cafe - Saffron Walden

Owing to Covid -19 unfortunately this service is closed until further notice.

An opportunity for people with dementia and their carers, to meet up for companionship, support and activities.

Walden Well-Being Walk-In

Drop in for emotional self-help and awareness.  This award winning service provides an atmosphere that is one of warmth, friendship and human connection.  

Individuals have fed back that they have felt helped to cope with their lives, increased their understanding of their problems and resolved many issues that were troubling them.

WE ARE THRIVE

Our expert team of counsellors, psychologists and complementary therapists offer a friendly, caring and experienced service to help your mental health and wellbeing. We are affordable and accessible - subsidised sessions are also available for those who are unable to justify the spend. Visit our website for more information.

Wilderness Foundation UK
1-2-1 or Small Group Nature/Outdoor Therapy

Our 1-2-1 or Small Group Nature/Outdoor Therapy service is a tailor-made service designed around the specific needs of participants in order to address the complex needs of individuals who have trouble engaging in school, relationships or life in general. Through a range of different outdoor activities and by working outside in nature we work to overcome these challenges. The programme design usually includes outdoor activities and can include fishing, nature photography, hiking, gardening, and more. Our associate therapist/ counsellor gently guides participants toward greater self-esteem, improved mental well-being and coping strategies. Simply being in nature calms their stress, offers time to explore problems, and gives them space for reflection and growth.

Wilderness Foundation UK
Mentoring/Coaching/Counselling via phone/online during Lockdown

To support those experiencing hardships through the Corona Virus and through recovery, Wilderness Foundation offers the services of a team of a voluntary mentors or coaches to talk through any dilemmas you have, or some to support you and offer some company. We also offer one to one therapy and counselling for those in crisis or struggling with a range of issues.

Wilderness Foundation UK
Out There Academy

Out There Academy is a transformational youth programme, designed to help struggling young people get back on track in school, at home, and in the community. The programme aims to boost the participant's school attendance, emotional health, self-confidence, self-awareness and respect for both themselves and the world around them.

Wilderness Foundation UK
TurnAround

TurnAround is a 6 month intervention which includes one to one mentoring, wilderness therapy trails, personal growth workshops, social skills development and advocacy. We focus on a range of behaviour change outcomes to help young people become resilience and self sufficient.

YCT
Youth Counselling and Mentoring

YCT offers FREE counselling services for children and young people (ages 5 – 19) across West Essex. YCT, a well-established and locally respected mental health charity, delivers services from community sites in Harlow • Loughton • Waltham Abbey • Saffron Walden • Thaxted • Stansted.  However, due to Covid-19, sessions are currently offered via telephone or Zoom.