Specialist support
Active Essex
Active Essex is the Physical Activity and Sport Partnership for Essex, Southend and Thurrock. They work with local partners in place-based teams to:
- ensure the power of physical activity and sport can transform lives
- fulfil the vision and mission of the Essex system strategy, 'Fit for the Future'
Strengthening Communities is one of the 5 Strategic Priorities outlined in the strategy. Active Essex dedicate an entire team to contribute to this. The team works with a network of locally trusted organisations. Together they ensure the sector and Essex communities have capacity, support and resource to build on what is strong locally.
Active Essex will continue to build trusted relationships with local community, voluntary and system partners, acting as the conduit between the wider Public Health team, and local voluntary sector organisations. Together, we will actively seek local insights. This includes working alongside partners to sustain existing initiatives.
For more information email administration@activeessex.org. The email subject line should include 'VCS support' and the name of the town/s your organisation is based in.
The Essex Alliance
The Essex Alliance is there to:
- be a voice for the voluntary and community sector in Essex
- facilitate the sector's stronger representation with stakeholders.
Sign up to the Essex Alliance newsletter.
The Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services
The Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services are the independent voice of the voluntary youth sector in Essex. They aim to support, network and resource the voluntary youth sector whilst building links and possibilities with statutory services that wish to engage with the sector.
The Essex Association of Local Councils
The Essex Association of Local Councils supports local Town and Parish councils within Essex to guide and support members to enhance their council to work to their full potential, serving their local communities. They work with various partnerships and committees within Essex to grow every aspect within the Local Council sector, attending regular meetings and conferences and campaign on behalf of members to raise awareness of their work and provide them with a range of services to support their needs.
Rural Community Council of Essex
The Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE) is an independent charity working to help communities in rural Essex build a thriving and sustainable future. Our work focuses on issues that impact on the life chances of people who live and work in the villages and rural towns of Essex today. This includes:
- social isolation
- access to services
- affordable housing
It also manages the Essex Rural Partnership, which co-ordinates the work of a range of organisation’s concerned with the future of the county’s rural areas and facilitates collaborative working.
Kinder Essex
Kinder Essex (formerly United in Kind) began in 2019. They aim to mobilise communities and develop local partnerships to tackle the problem of loneliness and social isolation. Feelings of loneliness and isolation can impact both mental and physical health. This is why it's crucial to address the wider causes of ill health, not just the symptoms.
The successful pilot was funded by Essex County Council. RCCE now delivers the Kinder Essex project across Essex (excluding Southend & Thurrock). This is part of the Essex Wellbeing Service supported by Provide CIC.
Over the past five years, the project has expanded its reach and impact. This is thanks to the incredible efforts of the team of Kinder Essex coaches. They work tirelessly in their areas to:
- enable acts of kindness
- connect people to local groups and activities
- support wider health and wellbeing
Find out more about Kinder Essex and how you can get involved.