The Essex Community Tree is a network of partner organisations who provide support for people that are experiencing mental ill-health and/or related problems linked to well-being, debt problems, addictions and many other issues preventing a persons need to lead a healthy, unstressed life.
The aim of this website is to show where to go for help in the area of Essex that you live. It is a website that will grow. Currently there are pages for:
If after looking at the information provided, you are still unsure, then please contact enquiries.essexcommunitytree@outlook.com or go to the Find Help page of this website for more detailed information.
In 2011, Audrey Clark (managing director) and Tim Warncken (director) opened a print shop called Brentwood Community Print (BCP). This community interest company’s primary focus was to help people who were in recovery from various mental health and well-being issues, by teaching them new skills, which ultimately built confidence. After some months, but sometimes years, many volunteers went on to find paid work. In March 2020, the print shop closed due to financial constraints.
One of BCP’s greatest attributes was networking. From 2011 onwards, contacts were made throughout the Brentwood area. Like minded mental health organisation's, local businesses, Brentwood Council and Essex County Council, regularly linked up with us.
In 2012, Audrey had an idea to produce a leaflet, so that all the mental health organisations we knew at the time, could be found on a single point of contact. In 2013 we had the first tree. The leaflet was designed in house by the team at BCP and 12 organisations were on it. Brentwood Council printed and delivered the leaflet to every household in Brentwood.
Moving on to 2017 and that initial leaflet of 12 organisations became the first tree. Once the website was launched in 2017, the work to build a network of trees across Essex really began. The following three years saw the network expand to 7 trees and we now have 90 partners and nearly 260 points of contacts, supplying people with the necessary information to find mental health and well-being support throughout large parts of Essex. The points of contact occur because many of the partners cross over from one area to another. All original ideas and graphics, came from the BCP team of volunteers. The website build, the booklet runs and leaflet printing, were funded by Essex Health Watch and Brentwood Borough Council.
Other charities and voluntary services have also contributed over the years.
The challenge of building such a huge network of organisation's, was a massive undertaking. It took a number of years to contact, meet, build trust and confidence. All the partners on the website, are like minded people, trying to achieve similar outcomes, by using their own individual techniques and many keep in contact with each other.
Sadly, many of our partners have left ECTN. Some have retired and others have unfortunately been forced to close due to the lack of funding. Since 2020, the website has lost around 15 partners, but we have added around 20. We are keen to add new services that fall within our criteria.
The maintenance of the website is a real challenge. As with all directories, information is never a constant. The Essex Community Tree Network rely on a very small team of people, who work hard to keep things updated. I would like to thank them for their hard work.
Mistakes do happen. If an individual spots an error on this website, then please write a message detailing the mistake, to enquiries@essexcommunitytree.com
In 2021 and after many years of service to BCP and ECTN, Audrey Clark and Tim Warncken have now retired. Without their drive and enthusiasm, both BCP and ECTN would not have existed.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION
In late 2023, the ECTN received funds from the Health and Inequalities Board. These funds were to rebuild our website and buy the necessary equipment that was needed to conduct the interviews with our partner organisations. The website you are looking at now, went live on July 2nd, 2024. James from Squarehost and Keith from KR designs, have done a fantastic job rebuilding the site and we would like to thank them for their hard work.
The team of volunteers currently consist of 5 people, all who have complex health issues. Audrey and Tim (despite being retired) are helping with projects linked to ECTN. Their knowledge and help are most appreciated.
We also have big plans for the future, but we must be sensible and take on one task at a time. Thank you for reading
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We have to understand what a CRISIS means, before deciding if we need help, or not. Many people with mental health issues often have to deal with negative thoughts and sadly, this becomes part of daily life. A CRISIS occurs when an individual feels that they have reached the very limit of what they can cope with. Its when the intrusive thoughts become overbearing to the point that the individual may be in danger. Suicidal thoughts and self harming can be classed as a CRISIS. If you feel that you have reached that breaking point, you need help urgently.
Call 999 immediatelyOr go to your nearest A&E department.
Call 111Once prompted press option 2, to access the NHS mental health crisis helpline.
Mental ill health is a highly complex and often complicated part of a humans being general health. The symptoms vary enormously. An individual must never try and self diagnose. Instead, seek the advice from a qualified mental health practitioner.
Samaritans offer a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year service, where you can talk in confidence to someone who will listen. (free from any phone)
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK. Call 6pm to midnight every day.
SANEline. If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline 4:30PM – 10:00PM every day.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). Call 5:00PM – midnight every day if you need to talk. Calm also has a webchat service, if you don’t want to talk.
Shout. Text SHOUT to 85258 if you don’t want to talk. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service if you feel more confident texting, rather than talking.
The Mix. For under 25’s, call The Mix 3pm–midnight every dAY. If you visit their website, you can fill in an online form to get help.
Papyrus Hopeline UK. For under 35’s. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, or know someone under 35, who is feeling, or thinking the same, you can call Papyrus helpline on 0800 068 4141 (24 hours, 7 days a week).
