Here you will find a variety of help and services.
ABSS places the voices of parents at the heart of service design and delivery.
For ABSS, co-production means that communities, delivery partners and professionals work equally together throughout the design and delivery of services. Respecting and valuing the views of people engaged in our projects will improve outcomes and ensure that services meet the needs of children and families. Over the past decade, ABSS has helped to develop an ecosystem of support for Southend’s families, facilitating project and service delivery, and fostering relationships between individuals, families, the community and practitioners.
Contact ABSS email: BeyondABSS@eyalliance.org.uk
Advice UK is a small charity that makes a big impact. Our purpose is to improve the lives of people in need of advice.
They can give advice on many things and these are just a few, Debt, Welfare Benefits, Housing, Legal, Mental Health, Alcohol, Drugs, Domestic Violence and more.
Their members are at the heart of everything they do. They work to support them and the diverse range of communities they serve. They seek to improve both the environment in which their members operate and their ability to make a difference. To join them free, click → Membership.
Who are Age Concern Southend: Age Concern Southend is a small, independent charity based in Westcliff on Sea, Essex. They provide support, advice and services to older people in Southend and the surrounding communities. Whether you are looking for new social activities to meet people, make friends, find a new hobby or exercise you are sure to find something in our hub. Or, if you are in need of our befriending service, wheelchair hire, dementia services or general advice – we can help.
Telephone: 01702 345373 — Email: enquiry@ageconcernsouthend.co.uk
Address: The Haven Community Hub, 138-140 Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff-on-Sea. SS0 7LW
Website → https://ageconcernsouthend.co.uk/
Age Concern Southend is a small, independent charity based in Westcliff on Sea, Essex. Their charity began in 1974 as Southend Older People’s Welfare and have been helping older people in the community ever since. They provide telephone and face-to-face support, advice and services to older people in Southend and the surrounding communities. They currently provide general advice on available support in the area, telephone befriending services, wheelchair hire, supply of hearing aid batteries and host a variety of social groups and fitness classes. In 2018 they expanded our offering and opened the Haven Community Hub in the beautifully renovated Grade 11 listed building, formerly the Havens department store. The Hub is a safe welcoming place where people can meet likeminded people, socialise, join in with support and leisure groups and take part in activities to keep fit and active. They open from 9.00am to 4pm Monday to Saturday and there is always someone available to answer your questions.
Age Concern Southend is a small, independent charity based in Westcliff on Sea, Essex. Our charity began in 1974 as Southend Older People’s Welfare and have been helping older people in our community ever since. We provide telephone and face-to-face support, advice and services to older people in Southend and the surrounding communities. We currently provide general advice on available support in the area, telephone befriending services, wheelchair hire, supply of hearing aid batteries and host a variety of social groups and fitness classes. In 2018 we expanded our offering and opened the Haven Community Hub in the beautifully renovated Grade 11 listed building, formerly the Havens department store .The Hub is a safe welcoming place where people can meet likeminded people, socialise, join in with support and leisure groups and take part in activities to keep fit and active. The team at Age Concern Southend are always happy to advise on a variety of problems and issues relating to getting older. They also have a selection of drop-in sessions with professionals from other charities and statutory services available at set times across the week. Please visit our Haven Community Hub Page to view our current timetable.
You can get in touch with our team by calling 01702 345373 by emailing us on enquiry@ageconcernsouthend.co.uk or by visiting us at The Haven Community Hub, 138-140 Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, Essex, SS0 7LW.
CarelineSOS Personal alarms for the elderly and disabled. If you live alone and you’re elderly or disabled, it’s especially important to ensure that you feel safe in your own home. A personal alarm for the elderly can help you feel secure and independent in your home for longer. You can suffer a fall, an accident, a sudden illness or even be threatened by an intruder in your home. Often it might just be that you’ve become a bit less able and need some sort of cover in place in an emergency. Our personal alarms mean that you can always get help quickly in an emergency. Personal alarms reduce worry and risk: If you have an elderly or disabled parent or relative, a personal alarm installed in their house can mean that you worry less about their welfare and it ensures that a parent feels less of a burden on family members as well. Disabled or convalescing patients are reassured by personal alarms. If you’re disabled or recovering from time in hospital having a personal alarm can reassure you and your family that you’re safe and if you have a fall or have an accident, help is close at hand. Personal alarms and fall detectors: They offer a range of options and packages for personal alarms and fall detectors with full support services that can help you remain in your home and keep your independence a little longer. Their team of highly trained and dedicated operators provide a constant back-up service, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so should your personal alarm be pressed or your fall detector go off, we will already know who you are, where you live, your health issues and who to contact on your behalf.
Website → https://carelinesos.co.uk/
Telephone: 0800 833 162
Citizens Advice Centre: They Are Citizens Advice – the people’s champion. We give people the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem. They are there to help everyone who needs it with practical advice you can really trust. Their national charity and network of local charities offer confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. Advise on the following, Consumer goods and services – Benefits – Debt and household finances – Employment – Energy – Family – Health – Housing – Immigration – Rent – Rights and discrimination – Volunteering – Work Concerns – Law and courts – Rent – Rights and discrimination – Volunteering – Work Concerns, as well as may more things the worry or concern you.
Their website: Citizens Advice Southend — Contact number is: 01702 456352 — For free urgent advice: Telephone free on 08082 787978. You can also chat with an advisor on line, by clicking the Chat → Chat with an adviser online – Citizens Advice Chat’s is usually available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday – it’s not available on public holidays.
Address: 1 Church Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. SS1 2AL – By appointment only
DIAL South Essex: This is unique in the fact that it deals with problems relating to all disabilities (physical, sensory, mental health and learning difficulties) and disability issues by people who are disabled. They provide advice and information on a wide range of issues affecting disabled people of any age. Their volunteers understand the problems that can be encountered, as many have been in the same situation themselves. This enables them to give advice with understanding and they feel that this puts us in a better position to give a quality, specialist service to disabled people.
Please look through the rest of their site here and see if there is anything there that can help you or somebody you know who has a disability related problem.
Website: DIAL South Essex — Disablement Information & Advice Line: Telephone: 0333 366 1045 -Office Hours: 10 am to 3 pm, Monday to Friday – Mobile/Text Enquiries: 07786 088538 (Outreach) – 07826 902087 (Coming Together Project) – Email: enquiries@dialsouthessex.co.uk – Address: The Beehive, West Street, Grays, RM17 6X
Electricity transmission emergencies and safety advice: To report a power cut or issue with the distribution network please call 105. If you’re experiencing a power cut, you should call 105. Do not call your electricity supplier. Electricity suppliers sell consumers energy and are not responsible for power lines. Calling 105 is a free service. The National Grid Electricity Transmission take electricity generated from windfarms and other power sources and transport it through their network of pylons, overhead lines, cables, and substations. It then goes on to separate lower voltage local distribution networks, which connect directly to your homes and businesses.
To report a power cut or issue with the distribution network please call 105
Doorstep safety: All their employees and contractors carry identification. Ask to see their identification if you are unsure about people visiting you.
Dial-a-Ride: Dial-a-Ride is a door-to-door transport service for people with disabilities who are not able to use public transport. The service is operated by Vecteo on our behalf.
Who can use Dial-a-Ride: To use Dial-a-Ride you must: Be a member of Dial-a-Ride – Live within Southend – Have difficulty using public transport because of disability. You must qualify under one of the following criteria: Be in receipt of Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance – be registered blind – be in receipt of Higher Rate Attendance Allowance (for women aged over 60 and men aged over 65) – be in receipt of Mobility Supplement of War Pension
Applying for a Dial-a-Ride membership: Please call Vecteo on 01702 908888 and choose option 3 between 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday. They can complete a membership form over the phone with you or arrange for a membership form to be sent out.
Escorts: under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. If you require a carer, assistant, or someone else to travel with you please remember to book their place when booking your own journey, please see the costs section for charges for escorts. Escorts for registered visually impaired people, travel free of charge
How to book Dial-a-Ride: Booking can be made over the phone between 10am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Bookings cannot be taken outside of these times. Bookings need to be made one week in advance (for example, call on a Monday for the following Monday, a Tuesday for the following Tuesday and so on), and journeys are strictly on a first come first served basis.
To book call 01702 908888 and choose option 3.
When can I use Dial-a-Ride: Monday to Friday – 10:00am to 2:30pm. First pick up is 10:00am and the last drop off completed by 2:30pm.
Where can I use Dial-a-Ride: You can use Dial-a-Ride to go anywhere within the city of Southend. This includes day centres and medical appointments. Please remember that if an appointment is delayed, we will not be able to wait for you past your booked return time. As a result, any return fares on any missed journeys will not be refunded.
Dial a Ride Southend — Website: Dial-a-Ride – Southend-on-Sea City Council – Telephone: 01702 908888 — Email: info@vecteo.co.uk
COST:
Miles: Single Journey Return Journey
0 to 1 £3.50 £7.00
1 to 4 £4.50 £8.20
4 to 6 £5.20 £10.40
6 plus £6.25 £12.50
Their vision is to improve residents’ lives and landlords’ services through housing complaints. The Housing Ombudsman is an independent, impartial, and free service for social housing residents. They make the final decision on disputes between residents and landlords that are registered members of its Scheme – including tenants and leaseholders of social landlords (housing associations and local authorities), as well as for their voluntary members (private landlords and letting agents). They also work to strengthen internal complaints procedures and encourage landlords to learn from complaints to prevent service failures being repeated.
The Housing Ombudsman Service website → Housing Ombudsman Service has so much information for residents with helpful resources.
You can use our phone line during the below hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9am – 5pm – Thursday 9am – 3.30pm. Lines are closed for staff training every Thursday from 3.30pm to 5pm – Phone: 0300 111 3000
Write to: Housing Ombudsman Service, PO Box 1484, Unit D, Preston PR2 0ET
The Leasehold Advice Centre provides a highly efficient & competitive fee-paying service for flat owners to claim various rights to which they are entitled. We have been providing a very full & substantive service for clients for over 12 years and do not expect leaseholders to do the work themselves, unlike some of our competitors. In our opinion, the various procedures, especially preparation & service of Notices, should only be carried out by experienced professionals who specialise in the field, as claims can fail where the procedures laid out in the legislation have not been complied with adequately & leaseholders are still liable for costs.
Lease Extension — Buy your Freehold — Right to Manage — Service Charges — Legislative Information — Section 20 Notices.
Information for Leaseholders can be found here → https://www.lease-advice.org/
Email: help@LeaseholdAdviceCentre.co.uk — Telephone: 01483 890672
Write to them at: Lease Holder Advice Centre, Guildford. GU5 0RB
South East and Central Essex Mind, is your local independent charity based in Southend. They are an independent charity and a ‘Local Mind.’
Local Minds like them are actually separate registered charities from National Mind, and while they have similar aims and values, they fulfil different roles. Money donated to National Mind does not help fund your local mental health services. At SECE Mind they provide supported housing, counselling for both adults and children, mental health training and mental health signposting to anyone who needs it. They serve Southend, Chelmsford, Castle Point, Rochford and South Woodham Ferrers areas helping support local people with their mental health and wellbeing needs. They started in 1966 helping the residents of Southend and in 2012, they merged with Chelmsford Mind to become South East and Central Essex Mind.
Southend Minds run mental health services in our local communities. Anyone can get in touch – you don’t need to have a GP referral. The services they offer include: Talking therapy, Crisis helplines, Advocacy, Employment and training schemes, Counselling and Befriending services.
Mind will not give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.
Your local Mind is at Nelsons Gate, 217a North Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7AF
Website: https://www.secemind.org.uk
Telephone: 01702 60 11 23
Email: hello@secemind.org.uk
To report a gas emergency, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. This is a 24-hour emergency line. You should call the emergency line if: You can smell gas, you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, there has been a gas explosion or fire or you have no gas. Once you have called the emergency helpline, take the following actions, if it is safe to do so: Turn the emergency control valve off at the meter. Only do this if your Site Engineer has advised that you are allowed to take this action. If the emergency control valve is located in a cellar or confined space, where there is also the smell of gas, do not enter, and leave the premises immediately. Open all doors and windows to ventilate the property. Do not turn any electrical switches on or off. Put out naked flames; do not smoke, strike matches or do anything which could cause ignition. Manually open any electric doors or gates.
In case of a gas emergency in your home, follow these steps: Click the links for more information:
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Get fresh air: Open all doors and windows to ventilate the area.
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Turn off the gas supply: Locate your gas meter and turn off the emergency control valve.
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Do not use electrical switches: Avoid turning on any light switches or using electrical appliances, as this can ignite gas.
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Do not smoke or light matches: Avoid any activity that could cause a fire or explosion.
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Contact emergency services: Call the National Gas Emergency Service at 0800 111 999 for immediate assistance
Always ensure to have a gas meter’s location handy for quick access in emergencies.
Did you know you can find out the following information by clicking one of the following links? View your GP health record * Order a repeat prescription * View your test results * Appointments and bookings at your GP surgery * How to register with a GP surgery * Find your NHS number. You can also find About GP services, including how to find and register with a local GP and how to book an appointment Here — About pharmacies, including the services they provide and where to find them Here — Find out about prescriptions including charges, repeat prescriptions and if you can get free prescriptions Here — About NHS vaccination services, including how to book online, find a walk-in site and change your invitation preferences Here — Find out how to access NHS mental health services and where to get urgent help Here and Find out about conditions, treatments, symptoms, medicines, tests, babies, contraception, pregnancy, labour and birth. Including what to do and when to get help when you need it Here.
For the NHS Direct help line dial 111 — for an emergency dial 999 — To get help with your symptoms go to → https://111.nhs.uk/ — NHS UK Website → https://www.nhs.uk/
For your local police website click the following: Southend Central — Southend East (Shoeburyness) — Westcliff — Eastwood & Leigh — Rochford, Ashingdon and Canewdon
Here are some things you can do online, including reporting something to us or making an application. However you choose to make contact with us, we’ll treat it in the same way. Please note: not all forces have all of their services online yet, so you may need to call or visit a police station. to report on line, click Here.
Police Emergency call 999 — Non-Emergency call 101
For the police UK contact webpage click Here
SAVS is an independent charity known as a council for voluntary service or CVS. We work behind the scenes to help local charities and community groups achieve their full potential. We also run our own community-based projects, all built on the foundation of supporting, empowering and celebrating the people of Southend. SAVA is also known as a Council for Voluntary Services, or CVS. We work behind the scenes to help local charities and community groups achieve their full potential. We do this, for free, for anyone in the Voluntary, Community, Faith or Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector.
Website: www.savs-southend.org
Their address is: Southend Association of Voluntary Services 29-31 Alexandra Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. SS1 1BW
Opening Times: Mon-Thurs: 08:30 – 16.30 – Fri: 08:30 – 16.00
Telephone: 01702 356000 — Email: info@savs-southend.co.uk — Twitter: @savs_southend — Facebook: @Southend_AVS — Instagram: @savs_southend
Scope is there to create an equal future with disabled people. They campaign to transform attitudes to disability, tackle injustice and inspire action. They create opportunities and provide information and support that empowers. One in four of us in the UK are disabled. Scope wants a diverse, proud, and vibrant community. They are part of a powerful movement of disabled people, allies, organisations and businesses. Together, we will all be unstoppable. Scope campaign to transform attitudes to disability, tackle injustice and inspire action. They create opportunities and provide information and support that empowers. Advice and support – Practical information and emotional support whenever you need it. A free disability helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 6pm.
Telephone: 0808 800 3333 — email: help@scope.org.uk
Scope advisers can answer questions and talk you through a wide range of topics connected with disability, including: benefits, finance, social care, work, equipment and assistive technology, housing and home adaptations
They can also point you to other information providers and Scope services in your local area. Chat with an advisor on line → Here
Their website is available by clicking → Here
South Essex Community Hub is a registered charity set up to support the communities of South Essex and enable them to thrive. We’re here to promote and strengthen community cohesion and to lend a helping hand in our Hubs through: Digital Inclusion and Benefits, Housing and Homelessness, Cost of Living, Emergency Food Support, Children and Young People, Community Development, Information, Volunteering and Work Experience, Training and Life Skills.
South Essex Community Hub’s four Values are:
They Collaborate: They work together with the community to understand needs and challenges and to find solutions. They believe in the power of volunteering. They are committed to collaborating, developing new opportunities, initiatives and partnerships to improve people and places
They are inclusive: They care about the community and believe that when people feel supported, change happens. At SECH they listen and appreciate the voices of everyone in the community. They ensure that diverse perspectives contribute to our understanding and decision-making.
They adapt: They adapt to the evolving needs of the community. This is integral to their approach. They strive to be responsive and flexible. They shape their work to best serve the dynamic requirements of the community.
They Care: They believe that people are at the heart of SECH and build on the foundation of dedication and passionate volunteers. At SECH they are focused on uplifting communities, channelling their efforts to not only address needs, but to inspire positive change, foster a sense of strength and capability within the communities they serve
Website: South Essex Community Hub Address: 1st Floor Victoria Shopping Centre, 324-325 Chartwell Square, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. SS2 5SP. Opening Times: Monday to Friday | 10am – 12pm, 1pm – 4pm — Telephone 01702 611199
Adult Social Care Team: Southend Adult Social Care: Adult social care services are for people aged over 18 who need help and support. They aim to keep you as independent as possible with a good quality of life. They will ask you for information about yourself and speak to others who are involved in supporting you. Together, they will look at the things you can manage and the help you get already, before considering what support you might need.
You can ask for help by either calling them on 01702 215008 and choosing option 5 followed by option 1 or completing a self-assessment online.
Email: council@southend.gov.uk — Telephone: 01702215008 — Website: https://www.southend.gov.uk/social-care
Southend Dementia Community Support Team: They offer information, practical advice and support to help you understand dementia and the day-to-day challenges it may bring, enabling you to maintain independence and have choice and control over your life. Their team is available to support you and your family throughout the dementia experience, whether you have a diagnosis or are in the process of getting a diagnosis, through to end-of-life care. There services offer support and guidance through every step of your dementia experience, including hospital inpatient stays and residential care. We are also your crucial link to all health, social care and community support in your area.
Who can use this service? Anyone who is worried about their memory, on the diagnostic pathway, has a diagnosis of dementia or cognitive impairment. Carers, relatives, friends of those living with dementia or suspected dementia in Southend-on-Sea.
How are services delivered? Home visits. Hubs. Peer support group. Telephone. Virtual. Email
Email: DementiaCommunitySupport@southend.gov.uk — Telephone: 01702534772
They provide advocacy to people who, because of disability, illness, social exclusion and other challenges, find it difficult to express their views or get the support they need.
They provide advocacy to people who, because of disability, illness, social exclusion and other challenges, find it difficult to express their views or get the support they need.
Types of advocacy that they provide are: Care act advocacy * Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy * Independency Mental Health Act Advocacy * Community Advocacy * Financial Advocacy * Benefit Applications and Tribunals * NHS Complaints.
They will promote and support individuals’ independence, develop awareness of the importance of independent advocacy among service providers and the general public, demonstrate a commitment to working in partnership with clients and service providers and or other professionals, to help improve the individual’s quality of life.
Telephone: 01702 340566 — Email: advocacy@southessexadvocacy.org — Website South Essex Advocacy Service — Address: Unit 2, 225-235 West Road, Westcliff-on-Sea. SS0 9DE — Opening hours: 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Thursday — 9.30am to 4pm Friday (Answerphone for out of hours) — For any help with general advocacy, you can come to the S.E.A.S office Monday to Friday. To arrange an appointment, please call 01702 340566
This is the place to find out everything you need to know or find out about the council of Southend-on-Sea City Council and their services — Telephone: 01702 215000 — Write to them at: Southend-on-Sea City Council, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. SS2 6ER — Website → Here
Since 2005, the Council’s homes have been managed and maintained by South Essex Homes. They are a leading housing association dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable homes and services to residents in the South Essex area. With a strong commitment to community engagement and sustainable housing solutions, South Essex Homes is dedicated to creating vibrant and thriving neighbourhoods for all residents.
You can write to them at: South Essex Homes, Civic Centre, Victoria Ave, Southend-on-Sea. S2 6FY — Telephone 0800 833160 — Email: sehcustomerservices@seh.southend.gov.uk
South Essex Homes are responsible for the following housing management functions:
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granting new tenancies, successions, transfers and mutual exchanges
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advertising properties and conducting viewings
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asset management, responsive repairs and planned maintenance to empty properties
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tenancy management
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estate management
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sheltered housing schemes
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tenant involvement
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management of leasehold properties and estate garages
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management of temporary accommodation for homeless applicants
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rent collection on behalf of the council and the collection of other income such as service charges.
The Council still manages the following housing functions:
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adaptations to our housing stock
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allocation of properties via a Choice Based Lettings system, under our allocations policy.
