Chelmsford Community Response Hub

The Community Response Hub provides vital practical support to people living in the Chelmsford district who have been advised to shield, isolate or are facing immediate financial difficulties as a result of Coronavirus.

If you have no one else to call on, such as family, friends or neighbours, please contact us for immediate practical support.

We can help with:

Prescription collection

Emergency food parcel

Food shop assistance

Safe & well checks

Telephone befriending

Finding long term help

Call us today on 01245 280731

How you can help

Our Impact

What is a Community Response Hub?

The Community Response Hub offers practical support to those who have no one else to call on. The support is given from an incredible team of volunteers, voluntary groups, charities and statutory organisations.

When you call our helpline, we’ll find the people who can best support you.

Chelmsford City Council and the CVS set up the Hub as soon as Coronavirus started impacting on our lives. Within weeks the CVS coordinated a huge community effort by recruiting a team of 176 DBS-checked volunteers and connecting people needing help with 40 neighbourhood support groups and charity services. You can read more about the impact of the Hub’s work here.

Beware of scams and fraud

Sadly, fraudsters can use spoofing technology to send texts and emails impersonating organisations that you know. The Community Response Hub will not text you, send you emails nor ask for your bank details unless pre-arranged through our food shop assistance service. If somebody asks you for these details, please refuse.

Additional community support

Essex Wellbeing Service also offer support. You can contact them on 0300 303 9988.

Local community action

We have been amazed at how the voluntary and charity sector in Chelmsford has responded to Coronavirus and the challenges. There are many groups and organisations who will help you to connect with your local community in a safe way.

Essex Befriends is working to reduce loneliness and isolation by connecting people

Age UK offers a free telephone befriending service on 01268 525353.

Citizens Advice Chelmsford are open and providing up to date information on benefits and other support available if you need help as a result of Coronavirus. Please note that their Chelmsford office is not open to the public.

Essential local information

Keep up to date with the latest local Coronavirus information from Chelmsford City Council, Essex County Council and NHS in Mid Essex.

Are you clinically extremely vulnerable?

If you have a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to Coronavirus, please register with the Government. You’ll be kept up to date with the latest guidance and will be able to ask for help with deliveries of essential supplies like food.

You can register yourself, or on behalf of someone else. If you’re not sure whether your medical condition makes you extremely vulnerable, register anyway.

Mental health support

With all the changes the pandemic has brought, social distancing and isolation, the charity Mind has produced some advice on keeping well during the outbreak.  Our local branch is still providing help remotely. Find out more about their remote services on their website or access their online mental health support called Silvercloud now.

Samaritans have been offering a wide range of support and tips on their Twitter feed and website, which you can find here.