RRAVS | Rayleigh and Rochford District Association for Voluntary Service

Emergency First Aid at Work – 29 July

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:51:20 +0000

Emergency First Aid at Work – Wednesday 29 July 2026 – 9am – 4pm
We are running another Emergency First Aid At Work sessions on Wednesday 29th July 2026 to be held in the Cloister Room, The Parish Centre, Rectory Garth, Rayleigh, SS6 8BB, from 9am until 4pm with a break for lunch (not included), tea, coffee and water will be available.
This course covers the role of the first aider, CPR, use of a defibrillator, choking, caring for an unconscious person, shock, seizures, bleeding, burns, scalds etc. It is all classroom based and is equivalent to a level 2 qualification. You will receive a certificate at the end of the course. First come, first served. Price is £50.00 per delegate, non refundable however the name of the delegate can be changed.

Please email for further information or alternatively click on the date below to book a space. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1981702062214

Emergency First Aid at Work – 4 November

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:55:24 +0000

Emergency First Aid at Work – Wednesday 4 November 2026 – 9am – 4pm
We are running another Emergency First Aid At Work sessions on Wednesday 29th July 2026 to be held in the Cloister Room, The Parish Centre, Rectory Garth, Rayleigh, SS6 8BB, from 9am until 4pm with a break for lunch (not included), tea, coffee and water will be available.
This course covers the role of the first aider, CPR, use of a defibrillator, choking, caring for an unconscious person, shock, seizures, bleeding, burns, scalds etc. It is all classroom based and is equivalent to a level 2 qualification. You will receive a certificate at the end of the course. First come, first served. Price is £50.00 per delegate, non refundable however the name of the delegate can be changed.

Please email for further information or alternatively click on the date below to book a space. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/emergency-first-aid-at-work-tickets-1991691097688

FREE – Family Fun Festival

admin — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 08:53:36 +0000

Rochford District Council are excited to share that they will be running a Family Fun Festival with RRAVS and The Megacentre on Friday 24th July, 11am–3pm, at Rayleigh Methodist Church and the outside grass area in front of The Megacentre Community Space.

The event is aimed at children and families, giving them the opportunity to discover the local support and services available to them. It will also offer a range of activities throughout the afternoon, such as arts and crafts and games.

Please share the attached poster with your network.

If your organisation would like a stall, please email partnerships@rochford.gov.uk

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-fun-festival-tickets-1987992900280?aff=oddtdtcreator

Rayleigh Inclusive Dementia Community

admin — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:23:08 +0000

RRAVS is proud to support the Rayleigh Inclusive Dementia Community an Alzheimer’s Society accredited initiative for those living with dementia and their carers. The initiative is supported by local councillor Elizabeth Brewer and colleagues who have been working closely with the national charity to promote a wide range of local resources. From coffee mornings and social activities, to church services, exercise sessions, specialist holidays, transport and even music and singing, there is something for everyone. Many opportunities are supported by our district’s amazing dedicated volunteers.
A full resource list may be downloaded below, please share this information and feel free to contact us should you need any further information.

Friends and Memories Café (at Trinity Church)
A warm, understanding space offers a safe, judgment-free environment for individuals living with dementia and their carers. Connect with others walking a similar path, Share experiences and helpful resources, Relax with refreshments and friendly conversation. Download the full list of dates below. Free car parking available – Contact Elizabeth Brewer for more details cllrelizabeth.brewer@rayleightowncouncil.gov.uk Telephone: 07368 657397.

Dementia Devices – Tap your phone to get them home
Are you worried about a loved one with Alzheimer’s or Dementia wandering? If your loved one is a Rochford District resident and has
been diagnosed with a form of dementia, you are entitled to claim your free Dementia Buddy device. For more information and to claim please email info@rravs.org.uk or telephone 01268 772796. Download more information below.

If you need any further information about any of these resources please contact us info@rravs.org.uk or telephone 01268 772796.

Revive Community Supermarket

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:45:41 +0000

Revive Community Supermarket aims to provide food and household items at a lower cost than traditional supermarkets to help ensure people can access affordable food. The project operates at two locations:

St Marks Hall, St Mark’s Field, Rochford, SS4 1PT – Tuesdays 10am-12pm
Barling Magna Parish Hall, Little Wakering Road, SS3 OLN – 2nd and 4th Thursdays 1pm-3pm

Find Revive on Facebook – Revive Community Supermarket

Community Initiative supported by: Life Community Church, Essex County Council, Feeding Britain, RRAVS, Rochford District Council and Rochford Parish Councils.

Click to download poster

Workshop – Managing & talking about your mental health

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:48:35 +0000

8 July 2026, 9.30am-1.00pm – The MegaCentre, 7 Brook Road, Rayleigh, SS6 7UT

Fully funded places are available for people working or volunteering in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector, thanks to funding from Essex County Council. To be eligible, you must live in Tendring, Colchester, Braintree, Maldon, Rochford or Chelmsford. Your organisation can be based outside of these areas. This session is delivered by the Mind in Essex Partnership.

Is your community group interested in shaping health research and policy?

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 11:20:39 +0000

The Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Public Involvement Network brings together community organisations that are interested in taking part in public involvement opportunities to shape health research, policy and commissioning in Essex. Healthwatch Essex are looking for a number of community group leaders to sit on a working group to help shape the network’s policies and help researchers, commissioners and policy makers understand how to engage effectively with their group (e.g. cultural considerations or accessibility requirements to take into account when approaching them, expectations for compensation for individuals/group involvement, requirements for researchers to inform them about findings of projects).

Please visit their web page for more information and register your interest here.

Are you worried about your gambling or someone else’s?

admin — Wed, 20 May 2026 14:46:36 +0000

The way we talk about gambling shapes how we understand it and how we respond. For too long, the national conversation has been led by industry narratives that minimise harm and place blame on individuals. But gambling harm is not just a clinical diagnosis or a personal problem. It is a systemic, population-level issue that affects millions of people, both directly and indirectly. By shifting the language, we shift the lens.

Download more information below which includes local support for those affected (scroll down).

FREE Securing Large Grants Workshops

admin — Wed, 13 May 2026 12:15:01 +0000

Securing large grants for £50,000+ for medium and large voluntary organisations is an important part of any fundraising plan.
This workshop will provide top tips on making a strong case for large grants, who provides these grants and a deep dive into one of the main
large grant funds.

Increase your chances of securing a large grant by attending this free, specialist workshop!
All workshops are 10:00 – 1:00pm

Rayleigh Parish Centre, Rayleigh 4th June
Chelmsford Rugby Football Club, 9th June
Wat Tyler Country Park, Basildon – 23rd June
Colchester Rugby Club, Colchester, 1st July
West Essex, Date TBC

Book your FREE place here: https://www.activeessex.org/your-essex-community/securing-large-grants-workshops/

Expressions of Interest now open: Freight House lease

admin — Wed, 06 May 2026 10:33:09 +0000

Rochford District Council is inviting community organisations, cultural groups and social enterprises to put forward ideas for the future of the Freight House, one of Rochford’s best-known buildings, located next to Rochford Station. They are looking for an experienced, ambitious tenant to bring the building fully back into use and establish it as a vibrant, sustainable community space.

What’s needed from applicants:

Strong management and decision-making arrangements.
A plan to run the building responsibly under the terms of a lease.
Proposals that support wider cultural, economic and social activity in Rochford.
A commitment to keeping the space open and accessible to a wide range of people.
A clear approach to protecting and improving the Freight House as a community asset.
Evidence the project can operate without ongoing Council funding, including realistic income, costs and risk management.

How it could work
The Council welcome different delivery approaches, including a single organisation running the whole building, a main tenant working with smaller tenants, partnerships, phased approaches, or a shared model. They recognise there may be early-stage risks—please set out any support or transition arrangements you would need.

Subject to the Council completing investment works and preparation to reopen the whole building, the aim is to have a tenant in place from September 2026. In parallel, the Council is exploring the potential transfer of the building to Rochford Parish Council to hold it for the future; if this goes ahead, the successful tenant will be expected to work with the Parish Council.

Key dates:

Expression of Interest opens: 30 April 2026
Submission deadline: 14 June 2026

For full details, application pack, timeline and instructions on how to submit, visit: www.rochford.gov.uk/TheFreightHouse