Scouts details of the local Scout meetings.

Please see the notices on the board outside the Village Hall for the contact details of the above item.

Village Agents’ is a new partnership project being piloted in Mid Essex from October 2009.

The Village Agents pilot in Essex is funded by a partnership between Essex County Council, the Braintree Local Strategic Partnership and NHS Mid Essex. The partnership has commissioned Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE) as the pilot project delivery partner.

The Village Agents scheme supports many of the Partners priorities in improving access to health and well-being services and supporting people to live a better quality of life. This project also builds on the existing RCCE role in working with rural parishes, businesses, statutory and 3rd sector agencies to deliver a stronger rural community. The RCCE will use their local expertise, networks and knowledge to work with parish councils to inform and develop the project.

This pilot project will be based upon an example of best practice at Gloucestershire County Council, who has now mainstreamed a similar service after a two year pilot with great success. Gloucestershire has 28 part-time staff working across over 200 rural parishes, supporting people over the age of 50.

The primary focus of the Mid Essex pilot project is to provide isolated or disadvantaged older people in rural communities with easier access to information and services. However, no other disadvantaged or isolated people will be excluded from receiving Village Agent assistance.

Village Agents will be responsible for signposting local residents to a range of services and information sources that are able to provide the right help, advice and support in effect joining up services for older people in rural areas and identifying any unmet needs in the local community.

The pilot project is scheduled to last until 31st March 2011. If it is successful and attracts further funding, it is hoped that it may be implemented throughout the County.