Brentwood Partners

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.

Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery Programme.

Please contact for additional details.

Bennetts Funeral Directors Ltd have been serving bereaved families for over 140 years. Everyone experiences grief differently, there is no ‘normal’ or ‘right’ way to grieve. We offer two support group options, both meet once a month in Brentwood, neither have trained counsellors, simply those in similar situations looking for understanding and an opportunity to talk and be listened to: -

'New Era' - Formed in January 2007, a general bereavement support group where those attending help and support one another, everyone is made to feel very welcome, refreshments are provided, friendships are formed. Talks, activities, day trips and dining options are arranged throughout the year. For further information, please contact 01277 210104.

‘Our Grieving Hearts’ - Formed in June 2011, a parents bereavement support group and part of The Compassionate Friends. Many people who have suffered the loss of a child feel a bond with others in the same situation and wish to extend the hand of friendship. We offer support, both directly to bereaved families, and indirectly by fostering understanding and good practice amongst professionals concerned with child death and by increasing public awareness.
For further information, please contact Bridget on 07894 698288.

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.

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

Qualified Art Psychotherapist Irene Malvezi is based at the Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre, where she provides private Art Therapy sessions for individuals and groups.

Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its primary mode of expression and communication to address emotional issues, which may be confusing and distressing. It is not a recreational activity or an art lesson, although the sessions can be enjoyable. Clients do not need to have any previous experience or expertise in art.

Clients may have a wide range of difficulties, disabilities or diagnoses. These include emotional, behavioural or mental health problems, learning or physical disabilities, life-limiting conditions, neurological conditions and physical illnesses. The goal is to enable clients to build on their own strengths as they develop self-awareness and self-compassion.

Fees: There are discounts for clients on reduced income, which can be discussed at the initial assessment meeting.

Brentwood CVS is a local independent infrastructure organisation dedicated to supporting voluntary and community action in our community. At Brentwood CVS, we're all about fostering connections, providing guidance, and empowering the voluntary and community sector to thrive for the benefit of local people and communities.

Our Volunteer Centre supports people to get involved in community action. In addition to making a difference in our community, volunteering has been shown to help combat stress, anxiety and depression. Volunteering has something for everyone!

Learn new skills
Have fun
Get vocational experience
Meet new people
Increase confidence
Make a difference!

Testimonial from a Brentwood Volunteer
“I see volunteering as a really important part of my life. Giving your time to something you enjoy doing is the greatest thing ever. And still leaves you feeling proud of contributing to something where you are needed. I love it!”

Our dedicated Health & Wellbeing Hub at Merrymeade House provides a range of services and programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life with our warm hub, wellbeing walks and winter warmth initiatives to help people feel well and connected to their communities.

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.

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".

People come to Chelmsford Counselling Foundation (CCF) for many reasons - for example as a result of depression, anxiety, loneliness; difficulty in facing life's circumstances or relationship difficulties. 

For some, memories about the past, painful events in the present, or worries about the future, may mean that they cannot enjoy life, or live it in the way they would wish. 

CCF provides Psychodynamic Counselling, which can help you to understand how past experiences and current behaviour may be linked. 

It allows space to explore thoughts and feelings about yourself as an individual and in relationships with others, with someone trained to listen in a non-directive way. 

All of our counsellors have been trained by us and are all registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.