Changing Pathways

Changing Pathways is a local domestic abuse charity working in South and South West Essex.

We provide free and confidential support and advocacy to individuals subjected to domestic abuse and stalking in the areas of Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford, Thurrock, Harlow and Epping Forest.

Telephone: 01268 729 707

Website: https://changingpathways.org

Email: welcome@changingpathways.org

Please view our poster on ‘Stalking is a Crime’.

SETDAB

The Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB) is made up of representatives from agencies and organisations working to join up and better facilitate Southend, Essex and Thurrock’s vision where everyone lives a life free from domestic abuse.

The Board is responsible for designing and implementing the Joint Domestic Abuse Strategy for Greater Essex. SETDAB provides strategic leadership to address domestic abuse by providing a multi-agency framework, common ethos and co-ordinated approach to innovate, drive change and address domestic abuse across Essex, Southend and Thurrock.

Website: https://setdab.org

Please view our poster on ‘Stalking is a Crime’.

Sound Doctor for Back Pain

A new web based library of 300 film and audio patient information videos, designed to help people understand more about some long term conditions.

Website: www.livewellcampaign.co.uk

St Helena Hospice

St Helena Hospice help local people face incurable illness and bereavement, supporting them and their families, friends and carers.

They also support children and adults who are facing bereavement.

Telephone: 01206 890 360

Website: www.sthelena.org.uk

Email: enquiries@sthelena.org.uk

Macmillan Welfare Benefits Service

Macmillan Welfare Benefits Service provide a free and impartial specialist Welfare Benefits service for Cancer patients who live in the catchment area. The team can identify eligibility for Benefits, assist with completing forms and provide support to challenge unfavourable benefit decisions. Their service is an enabling service, delivered primarily over the telephone.

Telephone: 0800 019 6065 (24hr Answer phone)

Website: www.colchester.gov.uk/macmillan

Email: Macmillan@colchester.gov.uk

Young Carers

Find out more about young carers.

Website: carers.org/ycad

Community Agents Essex

Supporting older people and informal carers to find and develop independent living solutions from within their local community.

Website: www.communityagentsessex.org.uk

Essex Carers Support

Essex Carers Support covers large parts of the county. We have a team of skilled and qualified people working across the county to deliver the best quality service possible. Our aim is to help you get the best out of life.

Telephone: 01255 474410

Website: www.essexcarerssupport.org.uk

Carers First

Carers First help carers and people who look after someone. They are your first point of contact for information, advice and guidance. They can offer emotional as well as practical support.

They provide support services to unpaid carers in the Essex area.

Telephone: 0345 6037630

Website: www.livingwellessex.org

Support for Carers

You are a carer if you care for a partner, relative or friend who is in need of help because they are ill, frail or have a disability and this care is provided without payment (other than Carers Allowance) or a contract

Telephone: 01255 474410

Website: www.tendringdc.gov.uk

Carers UK

They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

Common Childhood Wellbeing Booklets

The North East Essex CCG have developed handbooks to help you look after your child, from ages 0-5 and 6-12. They include information on general welfare and wellbeing and common childhood illnesses to help you keep your child safe and healthy.

Website: www.neessexccg.nhs.uk

Childrens Health Services

Child Health Services provides local support and information via their website.

Website: www.esneft.nhs.uk

Childhood illness visual guide

Use this visual guide to help you identify common conditions and illnesses that may affect your child. Includes conditions such as measles, slapped cheek syndrome, chicken pox and warts.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Immunisations and Vaccinations

The Essex School Age and Community Immunisation Services provides the Childhood Vaccination Programme to all children and Young people who are:

• Attending school within Essex , Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock
• And/or are registered with a General Practice Essex , Southend and Thurrock
• And/or are resident in Essex, Southend and Thurrock

Website: https://eput.nhs.uk/

Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service

On behalf of Essex County Council and the NHS, Virgin Care and Barnardo’s provide a range of child and family services throughout Essex that are free at the point of delivery.

Website: www.essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk

Mid and North East Essex Mind

Mid and North East Essex Mind run a service for children and young people between the ages of 10 and 19 across Mid and North East Essex.

Telephone: 01206 764600

Website: www.mnessexmind.org

Childhood illness visual guide

Use this visual guide to help you identify common conditions and illnesses that may affect your child. Includes conditions such as measles, slapped cheek syndrome, chicken pox and warts.

Website: www.nhs.uk

Vaccination planner

Download a personalised vaccination calendar, which highlights the dates your child needs to have their vaccinations by.

Download from: www.nhs.uk

Breathe Easy Colchester

Your local support group for people with lung conditions, Breathe Easy meetings are held on the 3rd Friday of each month at 10.30am.

As a member of Breathe Easy you can also join the Heavy Breathers Exercise group on Thursdays 2.00pm-3.00pm and Singing for Lung Health Thursdays 3.00pm-4.00pm.

All meetings are held at St John and Highwoods Community Centre. CO4 9SR.

Telephone: 01206 303707

Colchester Samaritans

Colchester Samaritans aims to make emotional health a mainstream issue, so that fewer people die by suicide through sharing feelings of emotional distress openly without the fear of being judged.

Address: Samaritans Colchester, Walsingham Road Community Hall, Walsingham Road, Colchester, CO2 7BN

If something’s troubling you, get in touch: 

Branch Telephone: 01206 561234 (local call charges apply)

National Telephone: 116 123 (this number is a free call)

Email: jo@samaritans.org (UK and ROI)

Langham Community Centre

The current Langham Community Centre was opened in June 1988 and has been serving local village residents and other commercial hirers ever since.

Telephone: 07741 284132

Website: htwww.langhamcommunitycentre.org.uk

Email: LanghamCC@gmail.com

Langham Community Shop

Langham Community Shop are a volunteer-staffed Community Shop that has served the village of Langham since 2004, with opening hours on 364 days each year.

Telephone: 01206 272431

Website: www.langhamcommunityshop.org.uk

Email: communityshoplangham@gmail.com

Colchester Community Zones

Book a collection of unwanted household items such as furniture and electrical items. Report a street problem including, graffiti, fly-tipping and dog fouling. Find out how you can get involved in your local community.

Website: www.colchester.gov.uk

EssexConnects

EssexConnects is the place to find local activities and to help you to get in touch with hundreds of local charities, voluntary groups, and community sector services, based in Essex.

Website: www.essexconnects.org.uk

Tendring District Ramblers

We try to cater for most walking abilities by offering regular weekly walking

Telephone: 01255 677368

Website: www.ramblers.org.uk

Run and Brunch

I started Run and Brunch running club in Clacton because I wanted to get people of all ages, shapes and sizes to give walking, jogging and running a go without feeling pressured in to being fast or in to wearing the latest running gear.

Website: sarahbockhart.com

Clacton Camera Club

The club welcomes anyone who has an interest in photography, whatever their skill level or medium they use, be it film or digital. We provide a friendly atmosphere on a Friday evening combining competitions with guest speakers, members’ workshops, fun events and demonstrations.

Website: www.clactoncameraclub.co.uk

Sound Doctor for COPD

A new web based library of 300 film and audio patient information videos, designed to help people understand more about some long term conditions.

Website:www.livewellcampaign.co.uk

Sound Doctor for Dementia

A new web based library of 300 film and audio patient information videos, designed to help people understand more about some long term conditions.

Website: www.livewellcampaign.co.uk

Alzheimer's Society

If you or someone you know are worried about or affected by dementia, we are here for you. Get advice on a range of topics and find support near you.

Telephone: 0300 222 1122

Dementia

Dementia UK offers specialist one-to-one support and expert advice for people living with dementia.

Telephone: 0800 888 6678

Website: www.dementiauk.org

Essex Mental Health Services

Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust (EPUT) provides integrated care including mental health, learning disability, social care and community health services.

Telephone: 0300 123 0808

Website: https://eput.nhs.uk

Neessex CCG Mental Health Services

An NHS website offering advice and information on mental health services.

Telephone: 01206 918700

Website: www.neessexccg.nhs.uk/mental-health

Email: neeccg.enquiries@nhs.net

NELFT

EWMHS offers advice and support for stress, low mood and depression, anxiety, self-harm or difficult to manage behaviours as well as support for previously diagnosed neurodevelopmental difficulties such as ADHD or ASD.

Telephone:  0300 300 1600 (option 2, 09:00-17:00, Monday – Friday)

Website: www.nelft.nhs.uk/ewmhs 

Email: nelft-ewmhs.referrals@nhs.net

North East Essex - Health In Mind Talking Therapies services

Our Health In Mind service provides talking therapies and practical support for people experiencing low mood, depression and a range of anxiety problems. These problems are often referred to as ‘Common Mental Health’ and can include stress, panic, phobia, obsessional compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and other difficulties.

Telphone: 01206 918700

Website: www.neessexccg.nhs.uk

Email: neeccg.enquiries@nhs.net

Samaritans

Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Telephone: 116 123

Website: www.samaritans.org

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Rethink

Rethink provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.

Telephone: 0300 5000 927

Website: www.rethink.org

Email: info@rethink.org

Mind

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Telephone: 0300 123 3393

Website: www.mind.org.uk

Diabetes Peer Support Group

Would you like to connect with other people living with diabetes near to where you live? Join a relaxed group, and learn about diabetes and living with a lifelong condition.

Venue: Council offices, Brightlingsea

Date: Third Tuesday every month at 2.00pm

For more information contact Stephanie mobile: 07538842165

or home: 01206 973270

or contact Diabetes UK: 01376 505247

Website: www.diabetes.org.uk/eastern

Diabetes UK- North East Essex- Type 2 Together Group

Listed below are the Type 2 Together groups which currently run in North East Essex. Please note that meeting dates are subject to change and it is advisable to contact the Eastern regional team if you’d like to join a group. eastern@diabetes.org.uk

The group meets at the Parish Council Offices, Victoria Road, Brightlingsea on the third Tuesday of each month at 2pm.

SGLT2’s and Rare Side Effects in Type 2

Please view our information leaflet to find out more about Rare Side Effects in Type 2.

NEEDS - North East Essex Diabetes Service

The purpose of the group is to provide a single place for people living with diabetes to meet and learn more about the condition. At the meetings, members hear updates about NEEDS, share new ideas and listen to interesting speakers on diabetes.

Facebook: @NEEDiabetesService

Twitter: @DiabetesNEEDS

Website: www.diabetesneeds.co.uk

NEEDS Young People

In North East Essex there are around 450 people living with diabetes under the age of 30 and the majority of these young people have their care provided by the North East Essex Diabetes Service (NEEDS).

Website: https://diabetesneeds.co.uk/young-peop

Sound Doctor for Diabetes

A new web based library of 300 film and audio patient information videos, designed to help people understand more about some long term conditions.

Website:www.livewellcampaign.co.uk

Rehab 4 Addiction

Rehab 4 Addiction provide speedy admissions into residential rehabs across the United Kingdom and internationally.

Telephone: 0800 140 4690

Website: www.rehab4addiction.co.uk

Living Well Essex - Alcohol and Substance Abuse

A site providing advice and information on alcohol and substance abuse.

Website:www.livingwellessex.org

Essex Specialist Treatment and Recovery Service

Essex Specialist Treatment and Recovery Service have introduced a new way of delivering care to substance misusers in the community under which all services users will be looked after by one of a number of new specialist teams.

Website: https://eput.nhs.uk/our-services

Open Road

Empowering individuals, families and communities in their journey of recovery from the harmful effects of drugs, alcohol and other addictions.

Website: www.openroad.org.uk

Drug and Alcohol Team North East Essex (NEEDAS)

A joint health and social care team that provides assessment, detoxification, care planning, residential referrals and day programmes, as well as information, advice, counselling and support for those with drug and/or alcohol or other substance misuse problems.

Telephone: 01206 287250

Website: www.tendringdc.gov.uk

Drinkline

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence.

Telephone: 0300 123 1110

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Telephone: 0800 917 7650

Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Email: help@aamail.org

Talk to Frank

If you have a problem with drugs Talk to Frank for friendly, confidential drugs advice.

Telephone: 0300 123 6600

Text: 82111

Website: www.talktofrank.com

Email: frank@talktofrank.com

BEAT

Beat has launched new guidance encouraging healthcare providers to ensure better support for families of people with eating disorders, including by offering an assessment of their own mental health needs and offering access to peer-to-peer support programmes.

Website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Telephone: 0808 801 0677

Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Eating Disorders Service (EPUT)

This service covers all of Essex, treatment provided will differ from teams based in the South and North of Essex. The Eating Disorders Service based in South Essex is a service that covers a range of eating difficulties for adults aged 18 and above.

Telephone: 01268 243538 (Eating Disorder Service) / 01206 333300 (EDICT)

Website: www.eput.nhs.uk

Colne Stroke Group

The Colne Stroke Group is a friendly support group that welcomes stroke survivors living in and around the Colchester area.

The group provides communication support in one to one and small group settings, social support, a conversation group and gentle exercise for stroke survivors. A warm welcome awaits carers, family members and friends also. Location: Orchard Baptist Church, 23 Blackheath, Mersea Road, Colchester. The group meets weekly, every Monday 10:00-12:00

Telephone: (Contact Elaine Rogers or Lyn Holman) 01206 548551

Email: mail@colnestrokegroup.org.uk

Family Support Clacton

Family support offers a variety of services and activities to help older people and their families and carers live with independence, choice and control. The service includes support for dementia and short term memory loss, showering, gentle exercise programme, carers’ support and respite, leisure activities and transport.

Telephone: 01255 432132 or 01255 430960

Email: valerie@familysupport.f2s.com

Family Support Brightlingsea

Serves Brightlingsea, Alresford, Frating, Great Bentley and Thorrington providing information, lunch clubs and trips out.

Telephone: 01206 305552

Email: theautumncentre@hotmail.co.uk

Helping Hands

Helping Hands is a community transport project taking elderly and disabled people to medical appointments;

Website: www.volunteercentretendring.org.uk

Helpline Plus

Helpline Plus provide advice, reassurance and assistance to help customers maintain their independence.

Website:  www.helplineplus.co.uk

Scrivens

Scrivens provides free hearing checks.

Website: www.scrivens.com

Age Concern

Age Concern are a local independent charitable company limited by guarantee providing services and support for older people.

Telephone: 01206 368420

Website: www.ageconcerncolchester.org.uk

Email: enquiries@ageconcerncolchester.org.uk

Tendring Community Transport (TCT)

TCT is a well established and accomplished Community Transport scheme, that provides wheelchair accessible, door-to-door transport, for people of all ages who find it difficult or impossible to access conventional public transport.

Telephone: 01255 436 962

Website: www.dial-a-ride.org

Royal Voluntary Service Essex

Royal Voluntary Service in Essex help older people maintain their independence and stay involved in the local community.

Telephone: 01708 854246

Website: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Email: essexhub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Silver Line

Free phone support for older people, 24 hours a day.

Telephone: 0800 4708 090

Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk

Age UK Essex

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. We believe in a world where everyone can love later life and we work every day to achieve this.

Telephone: 0800 169 2081

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Rheumatoid Arthritis

For more information on Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network

Website: www.rheumatoidarthritis.org

Short-Term Wheelchair Loan Charity

The Short-Term Wheelchair Loan Charity has been set up to help local people who need to hire or loan a wheelchair on a temporary basis.

Telephone: 01255 201763 or 01255 201771

Website: www.wheelchairloancharity.com

Wheelchair Loan Charity

Loan a wheelchair.

Telephone: 01206 518524

Stroke

Stroke are there to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke.

Website: www.stroke.org.uk

Sound Doctor for Heart Failure

A new web based library of 300 film and audio patient information videos, designed to help people understand more about some long term conditions.

Website:www.livewellcampaign.co.uk

Community 360

Situated at the heart of the local voluntary and community sector since 1968, Community360 is an independent, charitable infrastructure organisation whose aim is to inspire groups to seize opportunities and become more enterprising and sustainable.

Telephone: 01206 505250

Website: www.community360.org.uk

Email: information@community360.org.uk

Essex Lifestyle Service

Essex Lifestyle Service aims to empower the people of Essex to make healthy lifestyle choices, and live healthier lives. They 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.

Telephone: 0300 303 9988

Website: www.essexlifestyleservice.org.uk

Email: provide.essexlifestyles@nhs.net

LiveWell

The livewell campaign is designed to engage communities, families and individuals with the aim of providing information about all that is on offer in Essex to improve health and wellbeing.

Website: www.livewellcampaign.co.uk

Email: livewell@braintree.gov.uk

Digital Access One to One Support and Drop in Services

Digital Access offer one-to-one support at any of the Library Hubs across Colchester Borough.They will give you the opportunity to meet some of their dedicated multi-skilled Zone Teams, who have in-depth knowledge of local areas.

Telephone: 01206 282 452

Website: www.colchester.gov.uk

Email: DigitalAccessSupport@Colchester.gov.uk

Support, Time and Recovery Service (STARS)

The STAR service is a short-term service designed to help support you with a range of issues.

Website: www.northessexiapt.nhs.uk

North Colchester Healthcare Centre Walk-in Service

The Walk-in Service offers treatment, information and advice for a range of minor illnesses and injuries. It is open 7am-10pm every day, including weekends and bank holidays.

Website: www.northcolchesterhealthcarecentre.nhs.uk/our-walk-in-service

Veterans' Gateway

Veterans’ Gateway put veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the information, advice and support they need – from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more.

Telephone: 08‍08 80‍2 12‍12

Website: www.veteransgateway.org.uk

Essex Family Wellbeing

On behalf of Essex County Council and the NHS, Virgin Care and Barnardo’s provide a range of child and family services throughout Essex that are free at the point of delivery.

Website: https://essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk

Health Visitors

The NHS providing advice and information on Health Visitors via their website.

Website: https://eput.nhs.uk

North East Essex Maternity Services

We want to make sure you receive the maternity healthcare that takes account of all your health needs and preferences.

Website: www.neessexccg.nhs.uk

BabyCentre

BabyCentre® — the #1 pregnancy and parenting digital resource — reaches more than 45 million mums globally each month in 9 different languages. We reach 8 in 10 new and expecting mums online in the UK.

Website: www.babycentre.co.uk

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Baby Buddy App

Baby Buddy is an award winning mobile phone app for new parents and parents-to-be, created by mums, doctors and midwives.

Download from: play.google.com

Download from: itunes.apple.com

Essex Sexual Health Service (CO1 1DN)

Essex Sexual Health Service provide a free, confidential service to the people of Essex regardless of sex, age, ethnic origin and sexual orientation.

Telephone: 0300 003 1212

Website: www.startswithme.org.uk

Essex Sexual Health Service

Provide CIC is leading a collaboration of organisations to deliver a service providing a full range of sexual health services for the people of Essex.

Telephone: 0300 003 1212

Website: www.essexsexualhealthservice.org.uk

Brook

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing services for nearly 250,000 young people UK-wide, each year.

Website: www.brook.org.uk

Family Planning Association

A sexual health charity, the Family Planning Association gives straightforward information and support on sexual health, sex and relationships to everyone in the UK.

Telephone: 020 7608 5240

Website: www.fpa.org.uk

Sexual Health Helpline

The National Sexual Health Helpline provided by Public Health England is open Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm.

Telephone: 0300 123 7123

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PublicHealthEngland

Essex Lifestyle Service

The service offers a free programme offering a maximum prescription of 12 weeks Champix medication and nicotine replacement products as appropriate.

During the quitting process your health coach will offer you behaviour and motivational support and will work with you to reduce your reliance on the medication such as NRT. This support can be accessed face-to-face in a venue easy to access for you, via telephone and text or a combination of whatever suits your needs and lifestyle.

Telephone: 0300 303 9988

Website: www.essexlifestyleservice.org.uk/stop-smoking

Email: provide.essexlifestyles@nhs.net

Provide

Many smokers who want to quit aren’t sure where to turn, but getting advice and support from our friendly expert team will mean you are up to 4 times more likely to quit for good!

Telephone: 0300 303 9988

Website: www.essexlifestyleservice.org.uk

Email: provide.essexlifestyles@nhs.net

Quit with help

Everyone has a different reason for quitting, get a personalised Quit Smoking Plan.

Website: www.quitwithhelp.co.uk

Sound Doctor

A new web based library of 300 film and audio patient information videos, designed to help people understand more about some long term conditions.

Website:www.livewellcampaign.co.uk

Sound Doctor for Weight Management Surgery

A new web based library of 300 film and audio patient information videos, designed to help people understand more about some long term conditions.

Website:www.livewellcampaign.co.uk

LEAP

The Life Enhancing Activity Programme – LEAP – is a scheme for Health Professionals to refer patients to Leisure World Colchester for an activity programme designed specifically for people with health issues.

Website: www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk

Leisure World

Be part of Leisure world’s comprehensive Group Fitness programme with over 100 exciting classes each week to suit all ages, levels of fitness and interest.

Website: https://colchesterleisureworld.co.uk

ACE Lifestyle

ACE Lifestyle is part of Anglian Community Enterprise (ACE) Community Interest Company and is an award winning provider of weight management programmes. All services are free to patients and follow latest national guidance..

Telephone: 0800 022 4524

Website: www.acelifestyle.org

Health And Fitness In Essex

If you live in Essex and want to learn how to get fit and lose weight then you are in luck, as Essex has many options available to you.

Website: www.essexportal.co.uk

Weight Watchers

Meetings, Online or a little bit of both. We’ve got options and support, whatever your lifestyle.

Website: www.weightwatchers.com

Slimming World

You’ll find delicious recipe and menu ideas at your local group, along with all the help you need to get started and reach your target weight.

Website: www.slimmingworld.co.uk