Social Care (Child and Adult)

Are you worried an adult or child may be at risk of abuse or neglect?

Telephone: 0345 603 7627 (Child)

Telephone: 0345 603 7630 (Adult)

Website: www.essex.gov.uk

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

Colchester Carers Centre

The Colchester Carers Centre aims to provide support, advice and information, including signposting to other agencies, to all carers whether they are living within Colchester and its environs or the wider demographic area. Offering help to individual carers but ensuring that the needs of the cared for person and other family members are given equal consideration.

Telephone: 01206 560997

Website: www.familycarers.org.uk

Email: info@colchestercarerscentre.co.uk

Home Instead Senior Care

We provide quality home care services to older people in their own homes, where they are most happy and comfortable. Our care is personalised, tailored to meet the needs of our clients, we visit when our clients want us to, at a time that is convenient to them.

Telephone: 01255 672269

Website: www.homeinstead.co.uk

Email: jean.allen@homeinstead.co.uk

Cloud 9 Care

We offer an extensive range of services, with each care plan tailored to meet a person’s individual needs. We care for people of all ages and all levels of disability.

Telephone: 01206 862368 or 01255 440789

Website: www.cloud9care.com

Email: enquiry@cloud9care.co.uk

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

Advice for Parents During Coronavirus

Remember that NHS services are still providing the same safe care for children.

Find out more

Immunisation helps to protect you from disease

It’s really important children continue to receive the booster vaccines and MMR vaccine they are due at one year during the pandemic. These will protect them against several different serious infectious diseases.

Make an appointment with your GP practice who can give them safely.

Vaccination appointments count as an important medical reason to leave your home.

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

Child Health Services

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

Website: www.esneft.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

The Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service brings together a range of children’s community services. It’s provided by Virgin Care in partnership with Barnardo’s on behalf of Essex County Council and the NHS.

Telephone: 01206 372 300

Website: www.essexfamilywellbeing.co.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

Vaccination planner

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

Download from: www.nhs.uk

Colchester Samaritans

Our volunteers are available every day, 365 days a year, answering your calls, texts and emails.
Volunteers from Colchester Samaritans offer support to service detainees at the Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) in Colchester.
We visit schools and colleges in the CO postcode area and give talks to other organisations by invitation.

Twitter: @ColchesterSams

Facebook: @colchestersamaritans

Telephone: 116 123 / 0330 094 5717

Website: www.samaritans.org/colchester

Futures in Mind

Futures in Mind is a service designed for people from across Essex who are looking for support with recovery from mental health problems and/or substance and alcohol misuse. We have peer support groups and befriending services available across the area.

Telephone: 01376 316126

Website: www.futuresinmind.org.uk

Email: fim.enquiries@futuresinmind.org.uk

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

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

United in Kind

People across Essex working together to reconnect with our neighbours and communities to help overcome loneliness. Hundreds of community, charity and voluntary groups supporting people who feel lonely or isolated.

Website: www.unitedinkind.org

Email: provide.unitedinkind@nhs.net

Connect Well Essex

Connect Well Essex is a website that will help you to find local help and support, help you feel more involved in your community or make some changes to improve your health and wellbeing.

Website: www.connectwellessex.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

Essex Libraries Book Groups

Essex Libraries supports over 700 Book Groups. Some groups meet in our libraries and some meet in their own homes, pubs or other venues and we supply their books (or in some cases audio books). We also have some children’’ and young people’s Book Groups. Some specialize in reading particular genres of books. You can search for a book group near you or ask at your local library for more details.

Telephone: 0345 603 7628

Website: www.libraries.essex.gov.uk

Email: Information.enquiry@essex.gov.uk

Easy cycling around Braintree

Enjoy a gentle supported and non-competitive led social cycle ride. Keep fit, develop cycling confidence and explore the amazing Essex countryside. The rides are every Wednesday at 10am from the Drury Lane, Braintree (near Cycles UK) and are typically 15-20 miles (about 3 hours) and include a stop for refreshments.

Telephone: 07929264207

Website: www.connectwellessex.org.uk

Email: braintreeeasyriders@gmail.com

Heart & Sole Walks

Heart and Sole, Chelmsford Council’s Walking for Health scheme, welcomes anyone who is interested in walking for fitness, exercise, to socialise or simply enjoy the countryside. Walks are led by trained leaders and have a back marker at the rear of the group. This means you are free to walk at your own pace without fear of being left behind. The routes are all circular, so you start and finish in the same place.

Telephone: 01245 606569

Website: www.connectwellessex.org.uk

Email: heartandsole@chelmsford.gov.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

Coronavirus

A national campaign has been launched aimed at advising the public on how to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The Communications team across Suffolk and North East Essex CCGs has uploaded the campaign’s materials to the websites as well as through their social media channels.

YouTube public information film

Links to CCG websites:

NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG

NHS North East Essex CCG

NHS West Suffolk CCG

Live, real time information is available here – www.gov.uk.

National press release announcing the launch of the campaign, for information: www.gov.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

Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk

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

Mid and North East Essex Mind

Mid and North East Essex Mind provide counselling, practical support and peer support for children from the age of 5 and adults of all ages. Visit the website to find out what is available in your area.

Telephone: 01206 764600

Website: www.mnessexmind.org

Email: enquiries@mnessexmind.org

LEAP Exercise Referral Scheme

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.

Patients are also able to self-refer to the scheme for certain conditions.

Website: https://colchesterleisureworld.co.uk

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 Prevention

Find out if you’re one of over 5 million people in the UK who are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and programmes available to support you.

Website: www.preventing-diabetes.co.uk

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: 

LEAP Exercise Referral Scheme

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.

Patients are also able to self-refer to the scheme for certain conditions.

Website: https://colchesterleisureworld.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-people

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

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

Futures in Mind

Futures in Mind is a service designed for people from across Essex who are looking for support with recovery from mental health problems and/or substance and alcohol misuse. We have peer support groups and befriending services available across the area.

Telephone: 01376 316126

Website: www.futuresinmind.org.uk

Email: fim.enquiries@futuresinmind.org.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

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

Serenity Health Group

Private Drug & Alcohol Detox at Home Essex

is addiction threatening and distracting your way of life? Is it creating problems at home, at work place? If you are ready to struggle with your addiction and need a professional help and assistance, then the Step Essex Home Detox programme is suitable for you as it will provide you with support and help which you need to beat the addiction of alcohol or drugs.

Telephone: 0800 1182892

Website: www.rehabclinic.org.uk

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

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

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

Immunisation helps to protect you from disease – General

During a pandemic, it’s more important than ever to keep up with infant, child and adult immunisations to prevent outbreaks of other diseases.

Make an appointment with your GP practice, and make sure you and your children are protected.

Vaccination appointments count as an important medical reason to leave your home.

Immunisation helps to protect you from disease - Children

It’s really important children continue to receive the booster vaccines and MMR vaccine they are due at one year during the pandemic. These will protect them against several different serious infectious diseases.

Make an appointment with your GP practice who can give them safely.

Vaccination appointments count as an important medical reason to leave your home.

Make sure you and your baby are protected

Pregnant women need to have their whooping cough vaccination. You can have it at your GP practice from week 16 of your pregnancy. Planned appointments help to keep vulnerable pregnant mums safe from COVID-19.

Vaccination appointments count as an important medical reason to leave your home.

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

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

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

Make sure you and your baby are protected

Pregnant women need to have their whooping cough vaccination. You can have it at your GP practice from week 16 of your pregnancy. Planned appointments help to keep vulnerable pregnant mums safe from COVID-19.

Vaccination appointments count as an important medical reason to leave your home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Living Well Essex

Smoking is the primary cause of preventable illness and death in the UK. On average, cigarette smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers, with around 100,000 people dying every year in the UK as a result of their habit.

Website: www.livingwellessex.org

Quit with help

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

Website: www.quitwithhelp.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

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

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

Change 4 Life

Sports and active hobbies are a great way to get some exercise — they don’t need to take up a lot of time or money. Find out how to get started with these family-friendly activities.

Website: www.nhs.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

Pharmacy First

Watch our video to find out what to do when you have a common health condition.

Video: www.vimeo.com

Winter Health

Find out about common winter health conditions that can be treated with over the counter medicines.

Video: www.vimeo.com 

Look after yourself

It is important we all know how to look after ourselves whether we have a self-limiting minor ailment or a long-term condition.

Website: www.neessexccg.nhs.uk