Christmas closure – 22nd December – 4th January
Author: admin
SECH Who Are We?

Reach Out for Mental Health – Coffee Afternoon at The Chapel

SECH hosts Welcome Day event at Prittlewell Chapel North Road

Our Welcome Day event was an invitation to all within the community to celebrate both the progress made and continuing growth achieved by South Essex Community Hub (SECH) through the dedicated generosity and hard work of all employees and volunteers. This Welcome Day was further utilised as a greater opportunity to continue doing what SECH does best – turning the focus back towards helping others and living by our principle: ‘We’re all about You’. The occasion therefore grew into a celebration both with and most importantly for our present/potential clients and the fellow organisations who provide such outstanding services in the Southend community.
SECH, winners of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2020, aim to build an ever improving community in Southend, based on shared values & social cohesion through the provision of information, advice, projects, events and services that inform, challenge, educate, train & entertain. The service is delivered in hub’s located throughout the Southend area. The Hubs are a person-centred community spaces bringing together skilled people from all sorts of organisations, able to advise and support.
The new site The Chapel North Road currently offers a Youth Hub, free sports activities, social English classes (second language) and mental health support. Services are free and available to all in need, whether that’s a cup of tea at our coffee morning or an exercise session to boost your fitness and mental health!
We believe working in partnership with many local services providers is the key to a more supported and happier community. Southend is lucky to have a variety of amazing charities available to support where needed. One Love, Southend Foodbank, Peabody, Family Action, Achievement Through Football, just a few of the ten services who attended last Friday.
”It was a great day, over 150 people attended, they got to learn about the support available and the new Community Space we have created in the Chapel.” David Preston, Chief Operating Officer SECH.
The venue itself became a family-friendly, vibrant hub of conversation and encouragement. Both clients and organisations were able to see and experience for themselves the services and opportunities accessible to us all. We provided a space to cheer on many other organisations, inviting them to stand beside us and offer information and access to their own services. We encouraged the individual and the family to get involved, see the opportunities and support that is available, knowing that any one of these interactions could be the building blocks in forming a strong and positive support network.
Southend’s mayor, Margaret Borton attended the event to show her dedication to the community of Southend, once she’d caught her breath from a boxing taster with Achievement Through Football she closed the event with a heartfelt speech.
“As a volunteer, it taught me how much I value the work SECH does. To be a part of a charity that is inclusive to all, open and pragmatic to whatever issues our clients may find themselves in, I came away from the event feeling incredibly fulfilled and connected. Seeing one of our regular clients, who initially lacked confidence in themselves when they joined us, sparking a conversation with every new face they came to next, was one of the many clear rewards that I was able to appreciate that day all from volunteering with SECH.” John Pickering, SECH Volunteer
Summer Holiday Club 2021

Throughout August South Essex Community Hub provided a holiday club for children free of charge.
Our holiday club was based at St. Mary’s primary school, which had a fantastic sports hall for the children to use, a big sports field and use of the school’s kitchen. We felt so honoured and lucky to be able to use the school’s space and the children were very happy that every day they were able to engage in activities.
We had over 200 children attend the club taking part in all kinds of activities over the four weeks. With the help of our amazing and dedicated team, we were able to run activities such as arts and crafts, gymnastics, multi sports, slip and slide, bouncy castles, BBQ’s and much more.
South Essex Community Hub also provided fun days out to Adventure Island, hire of a cinema room to enjoy a film, Priory Parks bouncy castle fun and day trip to LEGOLAND. Parents were delighted and the children felt very lucky to be able to enjoy all these fun activities. In addition over 200 hot meals/packed lunches were provided for the children alongside healthy snacks throughout the day.
The staff and volunteers at SECH felt overjoyed that they were able to play such a vital role in supporting these children. It is likely that if the holiday club didn’t run these children wouldn’t be able to afford all the activities and trips provided.
Citizens Advice Southend are back!





Brook – Sexual Health Drop-In

Southend Sexual Health Service via Brook will be at our Victoria site the first Tuesday of each month. Confidential information and advice available for all, please drop in no appointment necessary! STI testing kits and free condoms!
First Tuesday of every month, 1oam – 12pm
SECH Welcome Day!




Charity Admistrator Job
SECH is looking for a Charity Administrator to join our team.
The role will be based in our Family Hub at the Prittlewell Chapel North Road, Westcliff-on Sea, working Monday-Friday 8 am-4 pm
As SECH grows, our values continue to be at the heart of everything we do. We always put people first and work hard on strengthening our partnerships whilst upholding our moral principles. We continue to innovate and strive to excel in everything we do.
As the Administrator, you will be responsible for undertaking a number of administration tasks.
Responsibilities of the role:
- Responsible for providing a broad spectrum of administration support
- Using sage and basic bookkeeping
- Providing admin support to management, Charity projects, and Charity Trustees as the needs of the Charity dictate.
- To be fundamental in developing SECH working culture, its reputation, and values
- Reception and building management at the Chapel
- Engaging with the local community through the Chapel and projects.
Desirables:
- Experience working within an administrative position over 3 years.
- Confident using MS Office Packages
- Confident working in a fast-paced environment
- Highly motivated
- Customer Service experience
- Sage accounting software experience
Download
Please complete and email the application form back to EMAIL: info@sech-uk.com
The application may close early when a suitable candidate is selected.
Thank you to all the volunteers helping support Southend Central PCN

Since January SECH has been supporting Southend Central PCN with volunteers for their vaccination sites at Saxon Hall and Belle Vue.
For just these two sites so far we have provided over 3500 volunteer hours! Amazing work everyone! We are so incredibly lucky to have such a great group of volunteers, it really has been a pleasure working with everyone and creating great friendships along the way.
Thank you everyone! Let’s keep going with the amazing work!