Compassionate Communities Northeast Essex

03/01/2026

Level Best Enterprises in Colchester has been named a Compassionate Community Champion for supporting people in need.

23/12/2025

Wishing all our supporters a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year 🎄✨

Thank you for being part of our community this year. As we look ahead to 2026, we’re grateful for everything we’ve achieved together and hopeful for the year to come.

Enjoy the festive break, take time to rest and recharge, and here’s to a bright year ahead 🎄☃️

22/12/2025

🎄We hope everyone is looking forward to Christmas and New Year.🎄

Reminder – there won't be a Compassionate Communities Meetup in January. The next will be held on 6th February at Lexden Wood Golf and Leisure Club.

We really hope you can join us as we bring together people who care about kindness, connection, and supporting one another through life’s more difficult moments.

📍 Lexden Golf Club, Colchester
🗓 Friday 6th February
🕙 10am for a cuppa, chat and supporter intro's
Followed by a walk at 11.30am.

Come along to meet others in the community, hear from local groups and services, and be part of a growing network helping to make Colchester a more compassionate place.

🚗 Getting there: Please note that Lexden Golf Club is not accessible by public transport. If you would like to attend and require a lift, just get in touch via the Compassionate Communities email and we’ll do our best to help.

18/12/2025

Kind and Company (Builders) Limited has made many incredibly generous donations of toy hampers to lone-parent families in Colchester. How wonderful it is to see such compassion and kindness at this festive time of year. 🫶

11/12/2025

💜 Become a Compassionate Community Ambassador!

Whether it’s sharing local knowledge, guiding people who need support to local services, connecting with others, or simply spreading kindness and compassion, our ambassadors are making a difference in Northeast Essex.

Find out more about getting involved with Compassionate Communities Northeast Essex and how you can make a meaningful impact: www.sthelena.org.uk/compassion

10/12/2025

Ready for a moment of calm in the festive rush? 😌

Join us for a free bite-sized session with Briony Lawton on 17th December, online at 3pm - 3.30pm, and discover how compassionate listening can prevent burnout, reset your focus and transform the way you lead.

Ever noticed how rare it is to be truly listened to without interruption, without someone jumping in to fix or advise?

In this experiential session from the Compassionate Businesses Network, you'll discover Nancy Kline's Thinking Environment approach and why creating space for people to think for themselves isn't just compassionate, it's one of the most powerful tools for preventing burnout and unlocking business decisions.

Right when everything feels frantic and overwhelming, this half hour offers something rare: permission to slow down, think clearly, and remember why the quality of our attention to each other matters most when we're stretched thinnest.

🗓 17th December 2025
🕒 3pm - 3.30pm
💻 Online only

👉 Reserve your spot today and give yourself space to breathe, reset, and lead with clarity: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/compassionate-businesses-network-106369554001

The Compassionate Business Network is supported by St Helena Hospice, Compassionate Communities Northeast Essex, and the Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway

09/12/2025

Our friends at The Art Harbour CIC are holding a festive Christmas card workshop this Friday at Firstsite Colchester, where you can make thoughtful cards for family and friends.

🕟 Friday 12th December at 4:30 – 6:30 pm
📍 Firstsite Gallery, Lewis Gardens, East Hill, Colchester CO1 1JH

All materials are provided free of charge. Refreshments available to purchase at the Firstsite Coffee bar.

All welcome. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.

Booking via Eventbrite link below. Or email the Art Harbour at [email protected] for more informantion.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/festive-community-art-jam-create-your-own-christmas-cards-tickets-1976442243956?aff=oddtdtcreator

So simply drop-in on the day.

08/12/2025

It was amazing to see so many friendly faces at our Meetup on Friday. 😃

Hosted by St Helena's Gerard Ronay and held at the Lawrence Walker Gallery, it was a thoroughly enjoyable morning session.

After a warming cuppa and biccies, we heard from Marcus Mayimbi from African Families in the UK - afiuk CIC, Chantal Williams from RAMA - Colchester, Ruth Smith from St Helena Care & Support, and James Lejeune from the The Art Harbour CIC

Together, we learned what's going on in Colchester to support local people, and how we can best help them during some of their most difficult moments.

Our next Meetup will be on Friday 6th February – details coming soon. Find out more 👉 www.sthelena.org.uk/compassion

03/12/2025

🌿 Don't forget our next Compassionate Community Meetup is this Friday!

Join us at the Lawrence Walker Gallery, Priory Walk, Colchester CO1 1LG.

🗓 Friday 5th December
☕ 10am – Café Exchange
🚶 11.30am – Talk & Walk

Whether you’re looking to meet new people, learn about local support, or simply come along for a friendly chat, you’ll be part of a compassionate network helping others through life’s most difficult moments.

🤝 Featuring introductions from African Families in the UK - afiuk CIC and St Helena Care & Support

📣 Everyone is welcome!
🔗 Find out more: StHelena.org.uk/Compassion
📞 01206 646275

Let’s spread kindness in Colchester together. 💚✨

01/12/2025

🦋 The latest Update from the ESNEFT EOL Project Lead is now live

This month’s newsletter brings together meaningful updates – from progress on key workstreams to reflections from the team, and a hopeful look at what’s ahead, as they continue working to improve end-of-life care for patients and the people who matter most to them.

One highlight is the Time Garden Appeal, which recognises how important time with loved ones, comfort and privacy are at the end of life. The update shares early plans to turn an unused courtyard at Ipswich Hospital into a calm, welcoming space where families can be together away from the busy ward.

It also celebrates the kindness within our community – including a wonderful Butterfly volunteer who recently raised over £2,000 for The Butterfly Appeal, supporting the continued running of the Butterfly Service.

💜 Find out more and read the full newsletter here:

Hello!

29/11/2025

Yesterday, at Books, Brew & Boutique in Stanway, a group of St Helena hospice staff, volunteers and customers came together for a fabulous Compassionate Conversations Popup 🍵 Over tea and biscuits, it was a great opportunity to get to know one another, and develop the knowledge, confidence and skills with having difficult conversations about end of life care. 🫶

28/11/2025

🌟 Last month, our Compassionate Community Meetup was held at Patch for our cafe exchange, networking and walk.

Each month we come together to share kindness in Colchester. Come along and be part of a compassionate community network that is supporting people during life's most difficult moments.

➡️ Our next Meetup is on 5th December at the Lawrence Walker Gallery. Join us from 10am for our usual cafe exchange, networking and walk. Plus intros from African Families in the UK - afiuk CIC and St Helena Care & Support. We look forward to seeing you there.