Aching Arms
16+ years
Aching Arms
16+ years
Services provided
Aching Arms is a national charity based in Brentwood that provides comfort and support for bereaved families after the loss of their baby during pregnancy, at birth or soon after. We work directly with midwives and nurses at over 170 hospitals nationwide, who, on our behalf, offer an Aching Arms Bear to parents in their care. We also donate comfort bears to other organisations who support families after baby loss at any stage of pregnancy and send them to families who contact us themselves via our website.
The bear provides a sensitive conduit for health professionals to support and discuss the emotional and well-being needs of parents, particularly in the turbulent days following their baby’s death.
Each Aching Arms bear is given as a gift from one bereaved family to another, to let the parents know that they are not alone, and each beautiful bear wears a personalised, handwritten label with the name of the baby in whose memory the bear was dedicated. The label also signposts parents to our website, where they will find support and information.
Our support is not limited to the giving of our comfort bears, we have several ways in which we help parents and families, including:
SUPPORTING ARMS SERVICE
Run by bereaved parents, our Supporting Arms service offers parents the opportunity to talk to someone who has an understanding of what they’re going through. Families can access support by telephone, text or email on 07464 508994 or support@achingarms.co.uk
SUPPORTING ARMS FOR DADS
We host a monthly online group specifically for Dads to share and discuss their particular experiences. Please see our website for full details.
VIRTUAL CARE SERVICE
Our Virtual Care service gives parents the chance to book a video support call with our Bereavement Care Manager. Booking is available on the link on our website.
BE TOGETHER PROGRAMME
The Be Together Programme is a range of community events that bring bereaved parents, siblings and families together. Please see our website for full details.
Adult Community Learning (ACL Essex)
19+ years
Adult Community Learning (ACL Essex)
19+ years
Services provided
Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery Programme.
Please contact for additional details.
BOSP (Brighter Opportunities for Special People)
0 to 25 years
BOSP (Brighter Opportunities for Special People)
0 to 25 years
Services provided
BOSP supports children and young adults with complex disabilities or life-limiting conditions, and their families, by providing high-quality, fun, educational activities, respite, peer support and counselling.
Braintree Area Foodbank
All ages
Braintree Area Foodbank
All ages
Services provided
Helping local people in food poverty through our partnering agencies.
Braintree District Mencap CIO
18+ with learning disabilities and their families
Braintree District Mencap CIO
18+ with learning disabilities and their families
Services provided
Caring and supporting people with a learning disability, their families and carers in the Braintree District which includes Witham, Halstead and surrounding villages.
We offer a wide range of leisure and educational classes for adults with a learning disability. Our Gateway Club runs every Thursday and is a social gathering of around 100 people, with a different activity every week.
Braintree Rethink Self-help Art & Social Group
18+ years
Braintree Rethink Self-help Art & Social Group
18+ years
Services provided
The group provide an informal afternoon of arts, crafts and chat with help and support and lots of laughter. They are also very active to campaign and to stop stigma associated with mental illness.
Brave Parents
All ages of parent carers 18 plus
Brave Parents
All ages of parent carers 18 plus
Services provided
Brave Parents provides self care opportunities to parents who have children with complex medical needs*.
We recognise that many of these parents forget to care for themselves. They work so hard to keep their child well that their own needs always come second.
However, over time this can have an affect on the mental health of the caregivers and whole family unit.
We create opportunities for Parent Carers to have some well needed ‘you’ time to support their mental health and well-being.
From pamper ‘… for you’ and Hospital Boxes to in person events and local meets, we hope to encourage self care and highlight that it is essential, especially through hard times.
*’Complex medical needs’ refers to children who have been diagnosed by a medical professional, with an illness, disability or sensory impairment (sight and/or hearing impairment) that requires substantial daily support from a Parent Carer.
Brave Parents - Registered Charity No. 1204544
By Your Side (Essex Maternal Mental Health Service)
18+ years
By Your Side (Essex Maternal Mental Health Service)
18+ years
01621 866900 (Speak to receptionist and ask for By Your Side)
Awaiting Showreel
Services provided
The loss of a baby is a devastating experience and one that can bring a range of thoughts, feelings, and responses that can feel confusing, bewildering, and isolating. By Your Side is a maternal mental health service provided by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, in collaboration with midwifery colleagues, which offers therapeutic care and grief therapy for people who were pregnant and have experienced a perinatal loss. Our team aims to help people with their loss, being by your side during a devastating time.
Service Information
By Your Side works with people who were pregnant and are experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties as a result of perinatal loss, including;
Miscarriage (including recurrent/multiple miscarriages)
Stillbirth
Termination
Neonatal death
Unfortunately, we do not currently accept self-referrals so please ask a health or social care professional (such as your GP) to submit a referral on your behalf. You must be over the age of 18, registered with a GP in Essex, and your loss must have occurred within the last year.
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse)
All ages
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse)
All ages
Services provided
CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse) works with victims and survivors of sexual violence and child sexual abuse, providing independent, specialist support and promoting and representing their rights and needs.
CARA works with adults, young people and children of all genders from across Mid and North Essex and Uttlesford. We work from premises in Braintree, Chelmsford, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester, Great Dunmow, Halstead and Harwich.
Carers First
18+ years
Carers First
18+ years
Services provided
Carers FIRST has been commissioned by Essex County Council to deliver carer support across Essex to unpaid carers ages 18 plus and we have a Carer Support Advisor specifically for the Brentwood area.
At Carers FIRST, we understand that caring can be hard, but believe getting the right help ahouldn't be. We work directly with and for unpaid carers to provide personalised information, advice and support; making it easier for them to continue living their lives to the fullest. We currently run online carer wellbeing groups and activities, but look forward getting back to community based events too.
One carer's recent comment "The fact that I am listened to helps boost my confidence - Carer's FIRST has given me a voice for which i am grateful".
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