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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Kids Inspire

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Mental health charity providing trauma recovery support for children, young people, and families. To find out more please visit www.kidsinspire.org.uk

Kids Inspire empowers children, young people and families to make positive change. The Essex-based charity provides support for recovery from traumatic experiences and help to deal with emerging mental health difficulties. Bespoke plans of treatment are created for each service user, often inclusive of parallel family support, with the aim of promoting greater self-awareness and positive relationships. The teamwork creatively to encourage body/mind reconnection, focusing on the strengths of the child and family to build and nurture sustainable resilience.

29/10/2026

It's never too early to start thinking about how you'd like to make a difference in 2027. 💙

In February, we'll be training a new group of volunteer mentors to support children and young people.

As a mentor, you'll offer encouragement, consistency and a listening ear to a young person who may be facing challenges in their life. The impact of just one hour a week can go far beyond the time you spend together.

We're looking for people across Essex and Ipswich in Suffolk, who are empathetic, patient and passionate about supporting young people's mental health.

Our next mentor training weekend takes place on 6 and 7 February at a location in Colchester (Essex).

If you're interested we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch by direct message or commenting for more information.

28/10/2026

Essex Therapy Dogs returned for our Howl-o-ween Holiday Club! 👻

This half term, they brought along six adorable furry companions for the children to meet. Joyce taught the children how to care for them, the benefits of therapy dogs, and how to approach dogs safely.

We met a variety of breeds, from Cockerpoos to a Leonberger! The children (and adults!) loved chatting with the owners, stroking the dogs, and spending time with them.

Throught the rest of the day, we also enjoyed halloween themed activites, including making woolly ghosts and taking part in mummy races. There was lots of laughter all round!

A huge thank you to HSBC for funding this Holiday Club, and for all of our volunteers who supported the day, including a team from Birketts LLP.

27/10/2026

There's something special about Christmas shopping on a winter evening... 🎄

In just two weeks' time, we'll be opening the doors to our Christmas Wrapped Up event at Ingatestone Hall.

Whether you're looking for festive treats, unique gifts, Christmas decorations or simply a lovely evening out, you'll find plenty to explore from independent Essex businesses in a beautiful historic setting.

Our evening session runs from 6pm-9pm, making it perfect for anyone joining us after work.

Most importantly, every ticket purchased helps raise vital funds for children's mental health.

Ingatestone Hall
Wednesday 11 November
11am-2pm or 6pm-9pm

Tickets are £10, or £15 for VIP entry, which includes early access and an extra-special gift bag filled with goodies. Link in the first comment.

26/10/2026

Our online training is just one of the ways we support adults around children.

At Kids Inspire, we know that children's mental health doesn't exist in isolation. By supporting the parents, carers, teachers and professionals around them, we can help create the safe, understanding environments children need to thrive. 💙

Hear from Lauren, one of our therapists on why this approach is so important.

22/10/2026

When parent and author Brandi got in touch to share her daughter's story and the inspiration behind Nyah's Magic Skin, it really resonated with us. 💙

What began as a small patch of eczema, grew to have a huge impact on Nyah's confidence, self-esteem and emotional wellbeing. Through their journey, Brandi saw first-hand how living with a visible difference can affect how a child sees themselves.

That's why she wrote Nyah's Magic Skin - to help not only her own daughter, but other children feel seen, represented and accepted for who they are.

At Kids Inspire, low self-esteem was one of the most common challenges experienced by children and young people referred to us last year. Stories like Nyah's remind us why understanding, representation and emotional support matter.

Read the guest blog from Brandi on our website. Link in the first comment.

If you're based in Essex or Suffolk and are worried about a child's emotional wellbeing, confidence or self-esteem, Kids Inspire is here to help.

20/10/2026

Did you know we run a social group for young people called The Voice? 💙

In this video, Amy and Clara from our Community Engagement Team share more about the group and the support it offers.

Open to young people of secondary school age (11-18), The Voice meets on Monday evenings at our office in Great Baddow and provides a supportive space to talk about mental health, build life skills and connect with others.

To find out more, whether you're a young person, parent or carer, or a professional supporting a young person, contact: [email protected]

18/10/2026

Around 13 million women in the UK are peri- or post-menopausal - yet it’s still something many families find difficult to discuss.

For Menopause Awareness Month, our new blog explores menopause through a family lens, with practical ways for parents and children to stay connected through change.

“If you explain to your child why you’re more tired or snappy, they’re less likely to take it personally - and more likely to share how they’re feeling too.” - Kids Inspire therapist

It’s not about getting it perfect. It’s about understanding each other a little better. Small conversations can make big changes at home.

Read more: www.kidsinspire.org.uk/blog/menopause-awareness-month

15/10/2026

Last week the UK Government published the independent review into the prevalence of mental health conditions, autism and ADHD.

Much of what the review highlights reflects what we see every day in our work with children, young people and families. It's encouraging to see the experiences of those we support, and the growing need for support, recognised and validated.

Young people often experience multiple, interconnected challenges. Mental health difficulties, neurodevelopmental differences and trauma can overlap, making it vital that support is shaped around individual needs. Support needs to look at the whole child, not just one aspect of their experience.

That's why we believe support should be there at every stage of a child's journey, not just after a diagnosis, with a focus on wellbeing and early support.

It's also encouraging to see recognition of the crucial role charities and community organisations play in delivering support where it's needed most.

At Kids Inspire, we're proud to be part of that support network and remain committed to helping children, young people and families access the compassionate, holistic support they need, when they need it.

The report's recognition feels like a step in the right direction. The need is clear; now the commitment and funding must follow.

14/10/2026

Can you help? We urgently need donations of brand new books 📚🎄

Our 2026 Christmas Appeal is now live and, while we know donations usually build over time, our stock of books is currently the lowest it's ever been.

Every child and young person nominated to our Christmas Appeal receives a brand-new book as part of their gift. Last year we wrapped and delivered presents to over 4,000 children and families across Essex.

If you're able to help, we'd be so grateful. We've made it easy with our Amazon Wishlist, which is packed with book ideas for different ages and interests: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/29LE220CO93FJ/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2

Thank you. 💙

12/10/2026

We really can't believe we're saying this... 💙🤩

After recently winning an award for The Coat, we didn't expect more exciting news quite so soon.

The Coat has been shortlisted as a charity finalist at the Big Syn International Film Festival, London! 🎬

Our film has been selected as part of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals commitment at the world's biggest sustainability film festival.

Winners will be announced at the Gala Awards Ceremony in Soho, London on 6 November, with winning films also having the chance to be screened on the famous Piccadilly Lights!

Please keep everything crossed for us, but honestly, no matter the outcome, this already means so much to all of us at Kids Inspire.

Mushroom Theatre Company The Drama Centre Jigsaw Performing Arts School Chelmsford Jigsaw Performing Arts School Brentwood

Address

Hargrave House
Chelmsford
CM27FW

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+441245348707

Website

http://www.kidsinspire.org.uk/

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