South Essex Community Hub

South Essex Community Hub

At a glance

Causes

  • Counselling / advice
  • Financial inclusion
  • Housing and homelessness
  • Local / community
  • Mental health
  • Older people / later life
  • Training / employment support
  • Voluntary sector support
  • Young people

Other details

Geographical remit: 
Local

Objectives

To develop the knowledge and digital skills of members of communities throughout South Essex by the provision of Digital Support Services, helping to identify and meet their needs and providing opportunities for access to digital services.

 

  • To provide advice and support for people suffering mental health problems throughout South Essex working in partnership with other community groups to provide a range of support services.
  • To work in partnership with other community groups to provide advice and support on the management of debt and, helping people living in communities throughout South Essex to improve their financial capability so they can better manage their money.
  • To provide support and access to language translation services to people who do not have English as their first language throughout South Essex using digital technology to assist and support them
  • To work in partnership with other community groups to support and assist community engagement throughout South Essex and to support activities and projects that promote this goal and help improve community cohesion.

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Activities

The Hub Project

The Hub Project started in July 2015 as a community space in Central Southend focused on Digital Inclusion, Financial Inclusion and Social issues.  The ward and surrounding wards where the centre is based are areas of high deprivation which are in the top 10% in the UK.

The Victoria Hub expanded to provide more services working with partners: Citizens Advice, Peabody, Health watch Southend, Storehouse, Age Concern Southend.

The Hub project has grown and developed with the needs of the community and tailored services to those needs. The project developed free pre ESOL level English classes created and run by volunteers.

Working very closely with partners the model has worked effectively in connecting service users directly, reducing access times and breaking down barriers of contact with a friendly open environment.  The project is a friendly social environment which helps connect people providing a space for people to meet, receive support and help.

Since the projects inception it has engaged with over 10,000 people, provided over 50 volunteer opportunities with 20 volunteers entering into employment from the project.  The Project has helped over 1500 people gain digital skills.

Volunteer Southend is a charity run service, working with local charities and community groups to support them in helping others.

Our goal is to find you volunteering opportunities that are rewarding for yourself and the people around you.

Counselling Service

Our counselling service is offered free to residents and has been supporting those with issues such as drug and alcohol dependency, hoarding, loneliness and mental health issues.

Those classed as ‘high risk’ are seen within 72 hours. We have also provided the opportunity for recently qualified counsellors to complete their final year of studies, supported by a fully qualified peer.

Youth Engagement

Working with a local community group ‘Get the Kids Out and Get the Kids In’ we have supported them by offering free trips and courses for young people.

We have also provided work experience for young people at risk of exclusion at our Hubs and ran sport activities including football and swimming clubs. In additional we have supported young people with problematic homes lives through support and work experience.

No current opportunities

Search for volunteer opportunities with other organisations.