YGAM is the UK's leading charity dedicated to preventing gaming and gambling harms amoung young people. They offer fully funded training to help spot the signs of gaming and gambling harm. They have a number of free online sessions available during Volunteers Week that are tailored for different groups including Faith Leaders.

Tailored Reflections for Different Communities

In our Community & Faith Leaders workshop, we explore how different traditions and community values can help frame conversations about harm and resilience:

• In Christian communities, gambling can often be invisible, yet its spiritual and emotional impact is profound. The training offers a pastoral lens, informed by scripture and care, for engaging young people around the values of wellbeing, stewardship and community support.
• In Muslim groups, youth safeguarding through prevention is key. While gambling is prohibited in Islam, many modern harms are embedded in apps and games. This session provides practical tools to recognise these risks and respond in a way that upholds dignity and collective care.
• In Jewish contexts, teachings such as those from Maimonides reflect a long-standing concern about the social and cognitive consequences of gambling. This workshop helps educators and family leads navigate these challenges with cultural and religious understanding.
• For South Asian and Hindu organisations, discussions may focus on family dynamics and intergenerational silence. The training helps break these barriers, offering a space to support young people while respecting culture, tradition, and family healing.
• We do also cover communities such as Asylum seekers and refugees, Gypsy Romani Travellers, and LGBTQ+

The Hang Out Venue is a wonderfully relaxed welcoming social enterprise in the heart of Southend. We are designed so children of all ages (0-18) can gently stretch their boundaries with the reassurance of their adult close by.

One or two hour hangout sessions can be booked online and walk-in’s are welcome. We also do birthday parties and available for hire

With three rooms of activities and comfortable tables, chairs and sofas, it’s very much a versatile space, with a home from home vibe. There is truly something for everyone!

With summer around the corner, the NHS in Essex is sharing guidance for parents and carers on common illnesses that often start circulating at this time of year.

While illnesses like coughs, sore throats and earache are extremely common in young children, many parents and carers don’t realise that children’s ‘super bodies’ are designed to fight off many common illnesses, without the need for antibiotics.

To help carers and parents to support their children through illness, NHS Mid and South Essex, in partnership with Southend-on-Sea City Council, is launching the ‘Super Bodies’ campaign. This provides a family-friendly guide on the simple things parents and carers can do to treat common illnesses at home, as well as helping them to spot the signs of a more serious illness, and knowing when and where to go for medical help.

Parents and carers of young children can visit the ‘Super Bodies’ website page for information on treating coughs, earaches and sore throats at home, as well as finding a list of more serious signs and symptoms to look out for.

They can also find out when they need to stay home, when to visit a pharmacy, their GP, or call NHS 111 - or when to call 999 or attend A and E.

IDAHOBIT - International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

Come along to St Marks Church in Southend where Chaplain Sam Mackie will host a day that includes time and space for reflection, a social space for chat and/or games as well as a space for people to organise and advocate together for justice. All welcome.

Aspirations/Carries Outreach is Southend-based Charity that offers recovery programmes for women experiencing addiction in Southend, support services for women who sell sex that can provide a route out of that cycle, as well as support services for families impacted by addiction. They have a charity shop on the London Road and need volunteers to help.

An enhanced DBS check is required for all volunteers which is funded by Aspirations. Anyone who would like to volunteer should get in touch via their contact page on the website Contact Us

• Do you have an idea for a project to support and inspire individuals in drug and alcohol recovery?
• Are you interested in increasing awareness of and access to drug and alcohol treatment and recovery support?
• Could your group, charity or organisation be a part of making Southend’s drug and alcohol recovery community more visible?
• Have you got an idea for a project that will bring exciting and meaningful activities to our local recovery community, or those working towards recovery from drug and alcohol issues?

Southend City Council has a full Adults Occupational Therapy offer which you can see here:

Occupational Therapy

Southend Adult Services can help people with physical disabilities and long-term conditions to get the most out of life. Our vision is for more people to live independently in their own homes in Southend, but some people may require additional support to achieve this.

We want to enable people to stay living safely at home for as long as possible. If you are struggling with any areas of living independently, there are a range of solutions to help you.

Charities, schools and local businesses are being asked to come forward to provide school holiday sessions for children and young people in Southend-on-Sea. There are several ways local businesses, schools and charities can get involved, from delivering the session to providing the venue. We are especially interested in extending our current offer to include more provision for secondary age pupils and for providers who can support children with complex needs. If you would like to find out more, we will be providing a market engagement event at the Civic Centre on Wednesday 23 April 2025 9am to 11.30am. There will be a presentation and an opportunity to speak to the HAF Coordinator and ask questions to the Procurement Advisors

Trinity Family Centre in collaboration with SECH are offering an Easter holiday programme of activities for kids aged 8-16, commencing Monday 7th April.