South East and Central Essex Mind closed the door on its offices in Southchurch Road Southend for the final time on 11 March 2024.

The charity are planning to increase their visibility in the communities across the areas they serve, providing more services and look forward to taking their supporters and communities on that journey with them.

The charity has occupied part of the site since the 1980’s when the charity was known as Southend District Mental Health Association. Southend Mind merged with Chelmsford Mind in 2012 and became South East and Central Essex Mind. The increased need for mental health services over the years led to the site that was once a bed shop to be transformed into a mental health hub called the Jubilee Centre in 2014.

Since the global pandemic, SECE Mind has embraced hybrid and flexible working for both staff and service delivery. This evolution has allowed the charity to reach those most vulnerable by offering support via phone or online as well as more accessible locations for face to face meetings. In a time of increasing costs, energy bills and service demand, fundraising and donations can be used effectively to ensure the charity can continue to be here for those that need us now and in the future.

SECE Mind continues to operate it’s Supported Housing service within Southend along with Counselling, Children and Young People services, Mental Health Training and Somewhere to Turn service. Please visit our website secemind.org.uk or contact us via hello@secemind.org.uk for more information.

CEO Caroline Grant said -

 ‘While we are sad to have left the place we have worked from for so many years, we are excited about what the future holds with increased opportunities to offer even better mental health support to our community in the future’.

South East and Central Essex Mind is a local independent charity covering the areas of Southend, Chelmsford, Rochford, Castle Point and South Woodham Ferrers. We offer services such as Counselling for adults and children, Wellbeing Mentoring, Mental Health Training, Supported Housing for those recovering from a crisis and Mental Health Signposting for anyone who needs it.

Follow us on Instagram or Facebook to keep up to date or support our work by visiting secemind.org.uk/donate

SECE Mind is a registered charity no.1148451