Braintree Partners

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.

Enhanced community engagement: Foster active participation and collaboration among community members through regular town hall meetings, workshops, and volunteer programs. Ensure diverse representation and inclusive participation in decision-making processes.

Strengthened local partnerships: Establish and maintain strong partnerships with local non-profits, businesses, and government agencies to leverage resources and expertise. Collaborate on joint initiatives that address common community goals.

Improved access to essential services: Ensure all community members have access to healthcare, education, housing, and other essential services. Address the needs of marginalised and underrepresented groups through inclusive policies and programs.

Greater resource sharing: Create resource platforms that provide access to information, tools, and support services. Implement skill exchange programs to enhance collective knowledge and capabilities.

Collaborative innovation: Promote collaboration with startups, research institutions, and industry leaders to co-create innovative solutions. Participate in innovation hubs and accelerators to stay connected with the latest trends and ideas.

Agile and adaptive strategies that deliver: Create flexible business strategies that can quickly adapt to changing market conditions and community needs. Encourage a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation.

Is an independent charity offering free and confidential support to people affected by crime.

To access support, you are welcome to self refer.

You do not need to have reported the crime tp the police and it doesn't matter when the crime took place.

First Stop is a charity helping those who are in need in the Braintree area and surrounding communities.

The aim is to help those who have/or are disadvantaged by: a history of poor mental health, carers, ex-offenders, homelessness, learning needs, senior citizens, single parents, socially isolated, substance misuse, those unemployed (whether on benefits or not) or anyone in hardship needing help.

The help they can get is by accessing:

• Affordable Counselling, 1:1 appointments
• Our Community Fridge (accessing good nutritional food and helping prevent food waste)
• CV Construction
• Education classes: Confidence courses (a choice of 4), Learn my Way (IT), Digital Confidence- using tablets and other devices (including internet safety), arts & crafts and basic skills, including budgeting and maths- all in a professional but informal way
• Accessing impartial Information, Advice & Guidance- to a range of services
• Safe c/o address 

And any other help that may be needed. Our expertise is that as a long established organisation, we can refer on to a range of services to meet an individual's needs.  

We provide free and confidential services to support people who are currently experiencing, or have previously experienced domestic abuse.

We are passionate about ensuring that every person has the opportunity to live their life free from domestic abuse.

Our staff and volunteers are trained to provide support at the highest possible standard, informed by the trauma the individual has experienced and led by their needs.  We provide immediate support and advice to promote safety and reduction in risk of harm and longer term support to promote emotional recovery and practical support wherever it is needed to enable planning for a safer future.

Community Support
We support people who are experiencing domestic abuse and don't feel able to or need to leave their home.  We are able to work with individuals in a community setting and can provide access to the same emotional and practical advice and support to promote safety and recovery for a safe and happy future.  We currently are able to offer services to individuals living in the local authority areas of Colchester, Tendring, Braintree, Chelmsford, Maldon and Uttlesford.

Refuge Accommodation
Our purpose-built accommodation provides a temporary home for up to 12 women and children who have reached crisis point. The flatlets are modern and well equipped.  Each new resident receives a practical “starter pack” when she arrives.  A key worker will support her and her family right from the beginning of their journey. When she leaves, we support her to begin her life’s next chapter.

Domestic abuse is rarely a single issue and many residents arrive needing specialist support to deal with substance misuse (drugs and alcohol). In our residential house, with nine flatlets, we provide professional, specialist support focused on the identified needs of women who are battling with this type of addiction to help them with their recovery journey.

Children & Young Persons Service
Children and young people are affected by domestic abuse too.  Our Children’s and Young People’s Team include Pre-school Practitioners, Creative Therapist and Children’s Support Workers.  We can provide a range of services including emotional support for children and young people, parenting support, family work, pre-school education, school holiday activities.  We also undertake some work in the community in partnership with local schools and other agencies.

Raising awareness of domestic abuse is a very important part of our work. In primary and secondary schools as well as in higher education, we talk to young people about healthy relationships and how to recognise the signs of abuse.

The Guiding Light Mental Health Charity is dedicated to illuminating the often unseen struggles of those battling mental health challenges. Founded by Ben Holmes, a recovery advocate and neurodiversity champion, the charity aims to offer hope, connection, and fulfilment to individuals facing mental health issues. Through raising awareness, building genuine connections, and providing support, The Guiding Light strives to break down stigma and empower individuals to rediscover meaning and joy.

In addition to its core mission, the charity has recently launched a new support group, expanding its reach and resources to better assist those in need. By fostering a compassionate community, The Guiding Light ensures that no one has to face their mental health journey alone.

The charity is also actively campaigning for improved mental health support and accessibility. They have initiated a petition calling upon Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Rt Hon Wes Streeting to take immediate action to address the mental health crisis by implementing stronger policies, increasing funding, and ensuring accessibility to mental health services for all. Every signature amplifies the call for meaningful policy changes, sending a clear message that mental health can no longer be overlooked.

For more information or to get involved, please visit guidinglightcharity.org.uk.

The OutHouse is a registered charity (no. 1006244), providing opportunities for LGBTQ+ people throughout Essex. We work to support LGBTQ+ individuals to find their community and achieve their full potential.
Acting as a rounded resource of support, our services extend to the following core areas:

Community Engagement – Recognising the various mental, emotional and social needs relating to bettering an individual’s health and wellbeing, whether it be for adults or young people and their support networks.

Counselling – Providing an accessible Counselling Service of utmost confidentiality and understanding around the nuances of the community; available to both adults and young people.

Training – Offering bespoke training for individuals and businesses to establish safe spaces though awareness and understanding.

The services we offer depend on location. please contact us for more information.

We support people of various ages, depending on the service that you require.