Southend Faith and Belief Network

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Southend-on-Sea Faith and Belief Network

Who are we?

Members of the network are representatives of the local faith and belief congregations, groups, and projects, Southend City Council staff, and representatives from partner agencies we have over 100 subscribers to our page getting regular news from the Faith community and communications from Southend City Council, NHS, 3rd sector organizations and invitations to our monthly meetings organizations subscribe to keep informed.

What do we do?

We bring together faith groups and public services committed to

  • pro-actively build relationships and trust between faith groups and public services

  • creating opportunities to raise awareness and share learning and knowledge between different faith communities, and within the public services

  • seeking opportunities to bring people together to serve the community, particularly the most disadvantaged

We meet monthly to share good practice, hear from invited speakers and support each other in activities which support the above commitments.

Content

On this page there is a wide range of resources for faith groups, from funding opportunities specifically for the faith community, to community initiatives, events, links to useful information as well as news relevant to the faith community feel free to add your event, your place of worship into our map and subscribe to join our monthly meetings and get our newsletters.

News : The latest information for Faith and Belief groups.

Have your say! : Tell us your views, surveys, and funding applications!

Map : Add your place of worship and contact details, other can use this information to reach out, find out where you are or worship!

Events : Subscribers can add their events and invite others.

Who can join?

The network is open to faith and belief leaders, congregational members, community leaders, projects members inspired by their faith and beliefs and professionals and agencies wanting to supporting the network’s aims and objectives.

Background story

The council has a long history of working with the diverse faith and belief community in Southend which is making an immense contribution to the wellbeing of residents in Southend. They provide spiritual guidance and also get involved in serving the most disadvantaged in Southend, from food, housing and employment based activities, through to using their assets to host play groups, sports clubs and social and community events.

The Southend Interfaith Working Group was set up to support this work but when the when the pandemic started in 2020 we had to engage with as many people as we could in a short space of time. The more agile and peer-based Southend Faith and Belief Network was born out of this with weekly then monthly meetings. It proved again the role our faith and belief communities play as an invaluable source of support to the residents of Southend, from sharing messages to congregations, assisting with covid testing and vaccinations, supporting vulnerable families in need and generally ensuring that people have felt less isolated and more valued.

The work of Southend’s Faith and Belief Network has naturally evolved since then. The members have been meeting monthly to discuss issues such as safety compliance, the health and wellbeing of community members, support for the Afghanistan and Ukrainian families in Southend on Sea, where they have been able to support their community needs and have generally been getting involved in projects happening across the City as well as working solidly to support their own congregations.

The tragic events related to the death of Sir David Amess in 2021 brought us together as a network with ideas such as the 1000 Conversations, the 2022 Unite in the Light event at the Cliffs Pavilions (23 plus congregations represented) and Eid in the Park with over 4k residents attending. We come together many times as a group, to be a powerful, united voice and group and the Southend City Council joined the Essex Faith Covenant.

In 2023 the network followed through with Unite in Light: One Planet event bringing together congregations to showcase how they look after the environment informed by their faith and belief.

The network keeps on growing and sharing ideas so please do reach out to find out more by emailing:

faithandbeliefnetwork@southend.gov.uk

To read about how the Council handles your data please visit our Privacy notice: Southend-on-Sea City Council Privacy Notice

Southend-on-Sea Faith and Belief Network

Who are we?

Members of the network are representatives of the local faith and belief congregations, groups, and projects, Southend City Council staff, and representatives from partner agencies we have over 100 subscribers to our page getting regular news from the Faith community and communications from Southend City Council, NHS, 3rd sector organizations and invitations to our monthly meetings organizations subscribe to keep informed.

What do we do?

We bring together faith groups and public services committed to

  • pro-actively build relationships and trust between faith groups and public services

  • creating opportunities to raise awareness and share learning and knowledge between different faith communities, and within the public services

  • seeking opportunities to bring people together to serve the community, particularly the most disadvantaged

We meet monthly to share good practice, hear from invited speakers and support each other in activities which support the above commitments.

Content

On this page there is a wide range of resources for faith groups, from funding opportunities specifically for the faith community, to community initiatives, events, links to useful information as well as news relevant to the faith community feel free to add your event, your place of worship into our map and subscribe to join our monthly meetings and get our newsletters.

News : The latest information for Faith and Belief groups.

Have your say! : Tell us your views, surveys, and funding applications!

Map : Add your place of worship and contact details, other can use this information to reach out, find out where you are or worship!

Events : Subscribers can add their events and invite others.

Who can join?

The network is open to faith and belief leaders, congregational members, community leaders, projects members inspired by their faith and beliefs and professionals and agencies wanting to supporting the network’s aims and objectives.

Background story

The council has a long history of working with the diverse faith and belief community in Southend which is making an immense contribution to the wellbeing of residents in Southend. They provide spiritual guidance and also get involved in serving the most disadvantaged in Southend, from food, housing and employment based activities, through to using their assets to host play groups, sports clubs and social and community events.

The Southend Interfaith Working Group was set up to support this work but when the when the pandemic started in 2020 we had to engage with as many people as we could in a short space of time. The more agile and peer-based Southend Faith and Belief Network was born out of this with weekly then monthly meetings. It proved again the role our faith and belief communities play as an invaluable source of support to the residents of Southend, from sharing messages to congregations, assisting with covid testing and vaccinations, supporting vulnerable families in need and generally ensuring that people have felt less isolated and more valued.

The work of Southend’s Faith and Belief Network has naturally evolved since then. The members have been meeting monthly to discuss issues such as safety compliance, the health and wellbeing of community members, support for the Afghanistan and Ukrainian families in Southend on Sea, where they have been able to support their community needs and have generally been getting involved in projects happening across the City as well as working solidly to support their own congregations.

The tragic events related to the death of Sir David Amess in 2021 brought us together as a network with ideas such as the 1000 Conversations, the 2022 Unite in the Light event at the Cliffs Pavilions (23 plus congregations represented) and Eid in the Park with over 4k residents attending. We come together many times as a group, to be a powerful, united voice and group and the Southend City Council joined the Essex Faith Covenant.

In 2023 the network followed through with Unite in Light: One Planet event bringing together congregations to showcase how they look after the environment informed by their faith and belief.

The network keeps on growing and sharing ideas so please do reach out to find out more by emailing:

faithandbeliefnetwork@southend.gov.uk

To read about how the Council handles your data please visit our Privacy notice: Southend-on-Sea City Council Privacy Notice

  • Super Bodies! NHS Campaign around reducing antibiotic use for kids

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    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.

    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 at St Marks Church, Hamlet Road, SS1 1QA - 17th May from 1.30 pm

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    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.

    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.

  • Volunteers needed for the Aspirations Charity Shop on the London Road in Southend

    Share Volunteers needed for the Aspirations Charity Shop on the London Road in Southend on Facebook Share Volunteers needed for the Aspirations Charity Shop on the London Road in Southend on X (formerly Twitter) Share Volunteers needed for the Aspirations Charity Shop on the London Road in Southend on Linkedin Email Volunteers needed for the Aspirations Charity Shop on the London Road in Southend link
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    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

    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

  • Drug and Alcohol Recovery Opportunities Fund Announcement for 2025-26

    Share Drug and Alcohol Recovery Opportunities Fund Announcement for 2025-26 on Facebook Share Drug and Alcohol Recovery Opportunities Fund Announcement for 2025-26 on X (formerly Twitter) Share Drug and Alcohol Recovery Opportunities Fund Announcement for 2025-26 on Linkedin Email Drug and Alcohol Recovery Opportunities Fund Announcement for 2025-26 link
    • 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?
    • 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?

  • Independent Living and Occupational Therapy Services

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    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.

    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.

  • 23rd April: Holiday Activities & Food programme (HAF) Event at Civic Centre

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    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

    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

  • Intro to Greater Essex Devolution

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    The Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government is currently running a consultation in your area, seeking feedback on a proposal to establish a Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas of Essex, Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea.

    The consultation can be accessed here: Greater Essex devolution consultation – GOV.UK, and the easiest way to submit a representation is online: Greater Essex Devolution Consultation – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – Citizen Space.

    Please join this online presentation and Q&A session where Government officials will provide further information on the consultation, explain how to have your say and answer any of your questions. This session will offer an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of the proposal for a Mayoral Combined County Authority and its potential impact on Essex, Thurrock, and Southend-on-Sea.

    Details on how to join the session:
    Date: Thursday 3rd April
    Time: 1.30pm to 2.15pm
    Access link

    The Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government is currently running a consultation in your area, seeking feedback on a proposal to establish a Mayoral Combined County Authority for the local government areas of Essex, Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea.

    The consultation can be accessed here: Greater Essex devolution consultation – GOV.UK, and the easiest way to submit a representation is online: Greater Essex Devolution Consultation – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – Citizen Space.

    Please join this online presentation and Q&A session where Government officials will provide further information on the consultation, explain how to have your say and answer any of your questions. This session will offer an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of the proposal for a Mayoral Combined County Authority and its potential impact on Essex, Thurrock, and Southend-on-Sea.

    Details on how to join the session:
    Date: Thursday 3rd April
    Time: 1.30pm to 2.15pm
    Access link

  • Easter Holiday Activities for ages 8-16!

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

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

  • Salvation Army - Are you Living Well and Ageing Well? Tuesday 29th April

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    Come and discover some of the services in our community that could support you in living and ageing well

    Come and discover some of the services in our community that could support you in living and ageing well

  • Salvation Army Sanctuary Day- Friday 28th March

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    A place to meet and chat!


    Our next Sanctuary session is on Friday 28th of March from 10.30am, do feel free to pop along. The invite is open to all and is very calm and relaxed. Do come and say hello, a bring a friend

    A place to meet and chat!


    Our next Sanctuary session is on Friday 28th of March from 10.30am, do feel free to pop along. The invite is open to all and is very calm and relaxed. Do come and say hello, a bring a friend

Page last updated: 28 Jul 2026, 02:18 PM