Tendring Families First

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Tendring Families First

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Putting Children & Families First Who Are We? Who Do We Help?

Tendring Families First is a local Charity providing early intervention and holistic support for children and families across one of the most deprived districts in the UK, Tendring. Our support helps families struggling with multiple complex issues including poverty, family breakdown, isolation, mental health and behavioural challenges. Tendring Families First works with the Child and their Families along with other key stakeholders including schools and multi-agency professionals. We primarily focus on children aged 5-11 year, to offer Early Help to tackle problems for children and families before they become entrenched and more difficult to reverse. Our Support Services include: Family & Disability Support Workers, Child Counsellors, Play Therapists, Art Therapists, Theraplay Therapists, Brief Solution Focused Therapists

ARE YOU A PROFESSIONAL OR PARENT/CARER IN NEED OF SUPPORT? If you are looking for help, please contact a member of the team on: 07944 333685 Email: [email protected] Website: www.tendringfamiliesfirst.org

24/07/2026

Admitting that parenting is getting the better of you is one of the hardest things a mum, dad, or carer can do. There is so much pressure to 'have it all together,' and it can feel like everyone else is managing effortlessly (spoiler: they aren’t!).

When this parent reached out to our team, they were carrying a heavy weight of guilt alongside their daily struggles.

But our family support workers don’t walk into a home with a clipboard and a checklist. They walk in with an open mind, a warm cup of tea, and zero judgment.

15/07/2026

To adults, playing looks like pure fun. But for a child, it is how they explore the world, figure out relationships, and process complicated emotions.

When a young child goes through something difficult—like parents separating, a loss, or severe anxiety—they don't have the emotional vocabulary to sit on a couch and explain how they feel. They can’t say, "I feel insecure right now."

But they can show it through how they play.

In Play Therapy, a trained therapist steps into the child's world. Using specialised toys and games, the child can act out their worries, fears, and frustrations in a safe, controlled space.

At Tendring Families First, our therapeutic play sessions give local children the space to work through life’s heaviest challenges—one game, one drawing, and one story at a time.

06/07/2026

Every family is unique. There is no "one-size-fits-all" manual for raising children, and at Tendring Families First, we know that nobody knows your children better than you do. Our family support team worked with them—not against them.

Together, they looked at ways to introduce firm, healthy boundaries and consistent routines that fit naturally into their family dynamics. The result? A calmer home, clearer expectations for the children, and parents who feel confident and respected.
Support

03/07/2026

When a child is struggling at home or in school, the biggest hurdle for parents is often the unknown.

Why are they hitting milestones differently? What is triggering these sudden outbursts? How can we help them handle these big emotions? 🧩🔍

At Tendring Families First, a donation of £50 funds an essential observation and assessment session for a child.

Before we can put the right support plan in place, our specialists need to understand the root cause of a child's distress. A £50 gift allows a trained family support worker or therapist to spend dedicated, one-on-one time observing a child in their natural environment—whether that's through structured play or at school.

If you are in a position to give, your £50 is more than a donation—it is the gift of clarity for a local family who needs answers today. 🤍

✨ How you can help:
1️⃣ Click the link in our bio.
2️⃣ Choose 'Donate.'
3️⃣ Help us unlock the right support for a child in Tendring.

30/06/2026

Sometimes, big feelings are just too big for words. Especially for children. 🎨💬

When a child has experienced trauma, anxiety, or overwhelming life changes, sitting down to talk about it can feel incredibly intimidating. That’s where Art Therapy comes in.

Art therapy isn't about teaching children how to be perfect artists—it’s about giving them a safe, creative outlet to express what’s happening on the inside.

Through our specialised projects at Tendring Families First, we see breakthrough moments every week. Children who walked in carrying heavy, silent burdens leave feeling lighter, understood, and more resilient.

24/06/2026

🌟 We love hearing how play therapy transforms lives! One parent shares their child's amazing journey with us. 🎉 Remember, our play therapy services are available to students of member schools upon referral. Let's support our kids together!

23/06/2026

🎨 Every brush stroke tells a story! For just £10, you can provide vital art supplies to support a young person’s journey through art therapy. Help us make a difference today! Donate now and be a part of their creative healing. ❤️

17/06/2026

We are pleased to be working with both Essex University & Colchester Institute, Matrix College & University of Suffolk Trainee Student Counsellors to offer free confidential adult counselling & psychotherapy to parents of children at our partnership schools.

Our Trainee Student Counsellors can provide a confidential, safe non-judgemental approach to helping you explore any difficulties or issues you may be experiencing, where you can gain and develop insight into yourself, current situations and life experiences. Through talking and sharing you will be able to explore thoughts and maybe difficult feelings and develop a clearer understanding of yourself so that you can cope more effectively in life and allows potential for growth and change.

To access support please contact us to request a referral form: [email protected]

15/06/2026

At Tendring Families First, we work closely with local educators to provide early intervention, art therapy, and emotional support right where children spend most of their day.

Because our specialized children's services are funded through specific school partnerships, we are currently only able to offer direct support to children who attend the schools listed in this graphic.

If your child attends one of these schools and you feel they could benefit from our services, you can speak directly to your school’s family liaison officer or SENDCo to request a referral to us.

11/06/2026

Conflict within the family can be stressful, overwhelming, and damaging to
family relationships. This practical and supportive workshop is designed to
help parents and families understand and reduce conflict between
parent/carers and between child-to-parent.

In this workshop, we will:
•✅ Explore how conflict exists and develops in families
•✅ Identify triggers that escalate arguments and aggression
•✅ Examine the impact of conflict on children’s wellbeing and development
•✅ Learn strategies to reduce conflict and improve communication
•✅ Strengthen family functioning and relationships

By the end of the workshop, you will leave with practical tools and strategies
to manage conflict more effectively, build healthier connections, and create a
calmer, more positive home environment.

The workshop will be delivered Online across three 1-hour sessions
•✅ Tuesday 16 th June @ 1:00pm
•✅ Tuesday 23 rd June @ 1:00pm
•✅ Tuesday 30 th June @ 1:00pm

Places are limited – to secure your place please email [email protected] or
[email protected]

Address

Clacton-on-Sea

Telephone

+447944333685

Website

http://www.tendringfamiliesfirst.org/

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