Our Projects and Groups

Specialist Counselling Service for Children and Young People (aged 5-18 years)

In a partnership with Open Door and Mind, we deliver a specialist support service to children and young people impacted with low-level depression, anxiety, low mood, worries, and concerns arising from Covid-19.

The service is commissioned by local NHS CCGs (Clinical Commissioning Groups) for young people living in Castle Point, mid-Essex areas, Rochford, and Southend.

Trauma recovery services for Ukrainian guests in Essex  

With a community of around 2,000 Ukrainian guests in Essex, this specialist service will support families impacted by the war in Ukraine to recover from their experiences and rebuild their lives.

We are welcoming referrals for this Trauma Recovery service now.

Our Projects:

Family Innovation Fund (FIF)

FIF offers a ‘Solution Focused Support’ service for young people. Focusing on “life without the problem” rather than analysing the problem itself.

This Early Intervention Project is for young people 8-19 years and is funded by Essex County Council. The service is county-wide, with priority given to the ‘levelling up’ areas of:

  • Basildon; Canvey Island; Harlow; Harwich; Tendring; Colchester; Braintree.

This project is suitable for young people who in the past 12 months may be experiencing one or more of these presenting issues:

  • Emotional distress/anxiety

  • Low mood

  • Social isolation

  • Parental conflict

  • Challenging behaviours

We are welcoming referrals to our FIF project now.

Talk Together

The cost of living crisis, the pandemic, and the daily challenges families face have led to a significant rise in demand for our services. In response, Talk Together was created as a flexible and child-centred programme designed to meet the unique needs of each child we support.

At the heart of our work, Talk Together provides tailored support across three levels—from early intervention to complex cases—ensuring that every child receives the right help at the right time. This approach allows us to adapt to growing challenges, offering vital support that makes a real difference in children’s lives.

Ukrainian Flag

Group work

Given the ever-rising demand for youth mental health services since the pandemic, and a notable increase in social anxiety, group work plays a vital role as part of the Kids Inspire support package. Our specialist group work offers an age and needs-appropriate peer support network.

EPIC

Empowering Parents Improving Connection (EPIC) - is a group providing families with the space, tools and education to help to make the support they already provide, more effective.

Small changes in managing a situation can lead to improved communication and connection.

NVR

Non-Violent Resistance (NVR) - offers group support for parents of children who are at an increased risk of violent/aggressive behaviours and/or conduct issues.

Voice

The Voice is a relaxed group for young people to meet, catch up, and to be proactive in their discussions about mental health.“It is our own safe space to talk about anything worrying us.” - Voice member.

We’re very happy with the small results that were aimed for and feel we got more out of it than expected.
— Service User

Schools

We continue to support schools across Essex with clinical supervision for pastoral leaders and headteachers, therapies for children and families and training for all school staff.  Our experienced specialist team of therapists enables us to provide bespoke packages of support.    

More information for schools.

Children in Care

Our services are regularly commissioned by local authorities to provide mental wellbeing support to children in care. The provision of this support helps children to achieve their potential and to overcome early life experiences.

Adopted children

A dedicated adoption service is commissioned by Essex County Council. An important part of an adoption relationship is to access mental wellbeing services for the adopted child, and for the parent/s.

We accept commissioned work for individual cases from local authorities and welcome new enquiries.

Our ImpactSome of the ways we made an impact.

Our Impact

Some of the ways we made an impact.

Commissioning Trusts and FoundationsOur work is funded in a variety of ways.

Commissioning Trusts and Foundations

Our work is funded in a variety of ways.

Working with the NHS and partnersSpecialist Counselling Service for children and young people.

Working with the NHS and partners

Specialist Counselling Service for children and young people.

Page updated: 13 May 2024