Developing Partnerships
We have a team of coaches working in North East, Mid and South Essex who mobilise communities and develop partnerships to tackle the problem of loneliness and social isolation focussing particularly on people most at risk.
Social isolation and loneliness can have a real impact on
our health and wellbeing, shockingly, studies have shown that its impact can be
as bad for our health than smoking, but the numbers of people experiencing
loneliness or unwanted social isolation is growing. 
To help tackle this in Essex, Essex County Council put funding into a pilot project called United in Kind in 2019 to support communities to tackle social isolation and loneliness. RCCE was one of the organisations who successfully bid to be part of this pilot and since the start of the pilot project RCCE’s United in Kind has supported over 25,000 acts of kindness, as well as connecting organisations, people and services across Essex. It has supported campaigns like dementia awareness week, World Kindness Day, volunteer’s week and breast cancer awareness. It has supported local initiatives and introduced our own mini projects involving local people and organisations. The ethos is all about enabling and empowering people to do what works in there area to reduce social isolation and loneliness and follows the ABCD approach (Asset Based Community Development).
Following a successful pilot project, United in Kind is now
part of Essex Wellbeing Service. This is a health and wellbeing service covering
Essex (excluding Thurrock and Southend), made up of an alliance of partners,
led by Provide CIC. As one of the partners in Essex Wellbeing Service (EWS)
RCCE delivers the United in Kind project, through United in Kind Coaches. We
have coaches working across Essex to support local communities and initiatives.
United in kind is here to help reduce social isolation and loneliness, by supporting individuals, club, groups, organisations or services to either start something new in your area, extend or diversify existing activities or services, or just spread some kindness through the community. United in Kind also enables, encourages and celebrates acts of kindness. One small act can make a real difference to someone and means anyone can get involved in doing something nice, with our committing to long term volunteering. Our coaches are here to help if you want to get something off the ground or get involved in acts of kindness. If you already run a group but are interested in finding out more about United in Kind we’d love to hear from you.
To find your United in Kind Coach please click here.
We are also on social media, so you can connect with us @unitedinkin
United in Kind - UPDATES
United in Kind coaches are involved in a number of community projects which bring people together to make connections and friendships. To find out more about the projects please click the following links:
