Chelmsford 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 190 hospitals nationwide, who, on our behalf, offer an Aching Arms Bear and other resources to parents in their care. We also donate comfort bears and our dedicated Dad’s support book 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:

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT 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, online or via email on 07464 508994 or support@achingarms.co.uk

Monthly online Support Groups

We host monthly online groups. One for bereaved mums (birthing or non-birthing) and one for bereaved Dads to share and discuss their particular experiences. Please see our website for full details.

Active Essex is the Physical Activity and Sport Partnership for Essex, Southend, and Thurrock. The organization aims to collaborate with partners to build an Active Essex, supporting individuals in enhancing their mental and physical well-being.
My employer is Sport for Confidence, but Active Essex has funded my Find Your Active Navigator role, allowing me to work three days a week in this position, with the remaining two days spent as a coach for SFC.

Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery Programme.

Please contact for additional details.

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.

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 three support group options, all meet once a month in Brentwood or Billericay, neither have trained counsellors, simply those in similar situations looking for understanding and an opportunity to talk and be listened to: -

'New Era Brentwood' - 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.

'New Era Billericay- - Formed in November 2024, running in a very similar format to our Brentwood group as detailed above. 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 or at work on 01277 210104 Monday to Thursday.

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.

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) 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.

Chelmsford CVS is an independent charity set up to champion, support and strengthen local charities, voluntary and community groups.

We offer specialist information and support to enable local people to develop the skills needed to run successful voluntary groups; we spread good practice, encourage joint working, and promote equality and diversity by fostering a wider understanding of the needs of disadvantaged and under-represented groups. We help public bodies to engage effectively with the local voluntary sector, and ensure policy makers understand the needs of local voluntary organisations and community groups.

Through the Chelmsford Volunteer Centre we support local organisations, and broker safe and impactful volunteering opportunities for local people.

Chelmsford CVS is in regular contact with hundreds of voluntary and community groups, clubs and charities that work directly with some of the most vulnerable and hard to reach in the local community.

To find help, please contact the Centre on 01245 351888 to discuss the options available. You can also browse our public database: Chelmsford Connects - https://chelmsfordconnects.org.uk/

We also work with a variety of partners to develop and host local projects to help strengthen communities and meet identified needs. Our projects include:

Chelmsford Volunteer Centre
Chelmsford Response Helpline & Hub
NHS Social Prescribers
Chelmsford Men’s Shed
LiveWell Community Garden Network
Chelmsford Community Craft Group
Chelmsford 4 Good Charity Shop
Chelmsford 100
Computer Club with the IT Man
Winter
SWOT