The Essex Welfare Service (EWS), established by Essex County Council, is now enabling access to more support services across the county.

The county council service, delivered by Provide, was set up to help those most vulnerable during the Coronavirus pandemic and has so far seen almost 9,000 vulnerable people across the county receiving support and over 3,000 volunteers helping to make this happen.

This invaluable volunteer support has ranged from help with shopping, medicine or day to day tasks that has enabled individuals to stay healthy and well whilst shielding at home.

The EWS has seen an increasing demand from residents for a number of different types of support. In response to that EWS has expanded to enable access to a range of organisations that can help those who feel isolated or vulnerable.

Leader of Essex County Council, Cllr David Finch said: “I am incredibly proud of the community spirit that has been shown across the county by our wonderful residents, and for this I cannot thank them enough.

“The Essex Welfare Service has played a crucial role in ensuring that those most vulnerable in our communities receive support and I am delighted that we can now build on that.  Working together with a number of organisations across the county, EWS will now also be an access point for residents to a range of other services.”

The expanded EWS service will now offer help and advice to residents who are feeling isolated or vulnerable, regardless of their age, health or circumstance. Residents can access support on:

• Caring responsibilities
• Mental health
• Learning disability/autism
• Dementia care
• Sensory impairment
• Parenting and family matters
• Keeping physically active

To register, or recommend to friends and family, visit the Essex Welfare Service at www.essexwelfareservice.org.uk or call 0300 303 9988.

A self-help directory will also go live in the coming weeks giving residents an additional offer of support.