Essex County Council is working with local people to help shape the places in which they live and work. We support and encourage them to make changes that will help them improve their quality of life and maintain or increase their independence.
There are four main focus areas:
- Bringing neighbourhoods together to enjoy social activity, improve a sense of community and reduce fear of crime;
- Improving wealth by providing ways for people to gain skills and experience through activities such as volunteering and education, as well as focusing on the take up of benefits and advice services;
- Improving health by focusing on lifestyle issues such as obesity, smoking and fitness;
- Improving the consistency of information as well as the availability and accuracy of advice and support services.
If you want to chat through a current community project that may link into what we’re doing, or you have any ideas for improvements in your own local community, please get in touch. Our email address is
community.wellbeing@essex.gov.uk or call us on 01245 244981.
Some of our projects:
Village agents, who operate in 93 districts throughout Braintree, Maldon and Chelmsford, provide a trusted, well known, friendly face at the heart of rural communities. The agents offer a signposting service for rural residents who may find themselves isolated from the wider community because of disability, health problems, a lack of available transport or simply because they have no other neighbourhood links.
The Essex Later Life Expo is an event for all Essex residents over the age of 50. The first Expo took place in Colchester in January 2010 to raise awareness of the opportunities and entitlements available to older people across the county, to help them plan for and enjoy later life.
Over 50 exhibitors offered information on all aspects of healthy living, home safety, wealth and fitness, with workshops and live demonstrations providing ideas, advice and motivation, plus the chance to join in some fun activities. Another Expo is being planned for 2011.
A Making My Community Work initiative was set up in the spring of 2007 to help older people in deprived, excluded and isolated communities improve health and wellbeing, exercise citizenship and enjoy greater control over their quality of life.
There are groups running in Braintree, Basildon and Canvey Island, which organise social events and intergenerational work and information and advice sessions. To find out more or join a group please call 0845 603 7630.