Your Essex 

Welcome to your July news digest from across the council.

Remember your ID to vote on Thursday 4 July

If you’re planning to vote on Thursday 4 July you’ll need to bring photo ID. The photo ID must be the original version. Photocopies, photographs or images on a phone of your ID will not be accepted. Check if you have a form of accepted photo ID for the election.

Safer Essex Roads Partnership highlight drink driving risks

Last month Safer Essex Roads Partnership launched the ‘Euros Football Friend’ campaign. The anti-drink drive campaign aims to lower unnecessary road deaths due to drink driving. 

If you are planning to watch the football, make sure to plan your journey home in advance. Look after yourself and friends. Watch David James MBE, former England goalkeeper as he highlights the importance of making the right decision before heading out for drinks.

Community 

Volunteer as a parent ambassador and support parents in your community 

Parent ambassador volunteers are a valued part of Adult Community Learning (ACL) Essex’s support for the parents in the community. The role includes a variety of responsibilities such as speaking to families locally about their needs and whether there is an opportunity for ACL Essex to design a course to meet their needs. Find out more and register your interest for the ACL parent ambassador volunteer programme.

Children and families 

Over 100 foster carers enjoy an inspirational day of awards and celebrations

The awards event shined a light on foster carers supporting Essex's most vulnerable children. We celebrated their achievements and acknowledged their dedication to changing lives. Young people also took to the stage, sharing inspiring stories of life with their foster parents.  

Fostering is an inclusive role and Essex needs more foster carers. Find out more about joining our foster carer community. 

Looking to keep the kids occupied during the holidays?

Essex Activate has over 250 free holiday clubs on offer for school aged children this summer. Whether you're interested in sports or arts and crafts there are plenty of holiday clubs available. 

Children and young people who receive income related free school meals can book onto free spaces at summer holiday clubs using their HolidayActivities voucher code. Children will receive a healthy meal, while staying active. Find out what's on offer and book a free Essex Activate holiday club.

Join us for the It’s My Life Festival

Every summer, the ‘It’s My Life’ festival hosts a week of activities for children, young people and families who receive a service from Essex Social Care. The festival brings together young people from similar backgrounds to have fun and make lifelong memories. Events are running at Danbury Park from Monday 12 August to Friday 16 August. Check eligibility and book your free space.

Embrace the everyday magic of numbers

As part of the Essex Year of Numbers campaign we’ve launched the Magic of Numbers series. The series is a collection of videos from key community members, sharing how they use numbers in their everyday life. Watch Heather, a Conservation Educator at Colchester Zoo explain how she uses maths in her daily role to calculate the amount of food different animals need to eat.

Intergenerational Cricket4Numbers event celebrates maths and engineering

Last month pupils and care home residents attended a special event at the Essex County Cricket Club to celebrate the Essex Year of Numbers campaign. The event focused on an all-age intergenerational approach to numbers through the sporting theme of Cricket. 

During the day, pupils and residents tested out the re-creation of the Venn Bowling Machine by Cambridge University and learnt how to play Clock and Table Cricket. Watch pupils describe the Cricket4Numbers event. 

Coming soon, the Summer Reading Challenge!

The Essex Library Summer Reading Challenge is just under a month away. This year’s theme is Marvellous Makers and we’re encouraging children to get creative and be inspired by their favourite books. Visit your local library to find out more about the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge.

Health 

Tips to help tackle hay fever this summer

Hay fever season is here. The NHS provide a range of ways to help relieve hay fever symptoms. If you’re struggling with hay fever try wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes or putting petroleum jelly around your nostrils to trap pollen.

Over £3 million has been awarded to public health projects in Essex

A total of £3,121,685 will support 14 projects. The funding comes from the second round of our Public Accelerator Bids (PHAB) major grant programme. 

PHAB projects make a difference to the lives of many vulnerable residents across Essex, helping people live healthy lives. Find more information and a list of the 14 organisations to receive PHAB funding online. 

Find a Care Home on Essex Care Search

Searching for a care home can be difficult. Essex Care Search is a great way to search for care homes in the Essex area. Essex Care Search makes it easy to search for homes based on location, type of care and facilities provided. The site has information about care homes including vacancies, photos and contact details.  Visit Essex Care Search now to start your search.  

Environment 

Know your flood risk, you may even qualify for a flood grant

Have you ever wondered if you live in a flood risk area? Even if you don’t live near a river, surface water can cause issues. During the summer months, when the ground is hard and dry, heavy rain can make drainage difficult. Check your flood risk today and stay one step ahead. You may qualify for a grant to protect your property from future flooding.

Check out the refreshed Climate Action Advice Packs

Last month, we released the new Climate Action Resident Advice Pack. The advice pack contains tons of tips and cost-effective ideas on how we can become more climate-conscious at home. It is also available in an easy read format. Act now and download your free copy of the Climate Advice Pack today.

Economy 

More than 5,000 people improve their numbers skills thanks to Multiply

Multiply has been running in Essex since January 2023. Offering bite-size training to adults 19-years-old and above, over 5,000 people have so far benefitted from courses.  

One of the participants, Ian, from Loughton, said: “The course is very easy to understand, and I did it online in my own time. I’ve learnt so much and feel more confident with numbers.” Find out more and sign up to a Multiply course. 

Could you join our outstanding children’s services? 

We are recruiting for a number of roles in children’s social care, including in children’s residential homes. With opportunities for development and progression, a rewarding career awaits. Do you have the right skills to make a difference to a child’s life? If so, learn more about a role in children’s social care.

Find inspiration for what to do after finishing your exams with the Essex Careers magazine

Interested in working in the creative sector? The latest edition of the careers magazine is out now and features articles on careers in the creative, legal, space, and construction sector plus many more roles. This is a local guide on jobs and training perfect for those thinking about what's next after their exams or anyone considering a career change.

Fully funded HGV training for Essex residents

Residents interested in a career in HGV driving can access fully funded HGV training for various licenses. These include Classes 1 & 2, HIAB & Forklift, CPC & ADR. The programme was developed due to the growing demand for skilled HGV drivers in the region. This is an exciting opportunity for residents to gain employment in the transportation industry.

Have your say

There’s still time to share your views on the draft Essex Cycle Strategy

The draft Essex Cycle Strategy’s vision is to see more people, of all abilities, ages and backgrounds, cycling in Essex. It highlights six cycling outcomes we want to achieve and sets out activities and actions for the coming years. Share your views on the draft Essex Cycle Strategy by Sunday 7 July 2024.