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South Essex Opportunities

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Please contact your adviser Sarah White or Arden Thompkins, or our team on 0800 707 6384 if you are not in education, employment or training and need support with referrals.

Sarah's next Drop-In dates and details are listed below. No appointment needed, just drop-in to discuss options and provision in your local area.

Sarah will be at Southernhay Youth Centre - 12pm to 3pm every Thursday.

If the drop-in is busy, there might be a short wait. To arrange an appointment with Sarah at Southernhay in advance, please email: sarah.white2@essex.gov.uk.

 

For an overview of the options for post-16 provision in your local area please view our What's Next? 2024 Provision Guide - South Essex. Or check out our padlet links:

SOUTH What’s Next Guide - What's Next - South Essex (padlet.com) 

SOUTH Advice & Guidance – Advice and Guidance - South Essex (padlet.com) 

SOUTH Jobs & Opportunities - Advice and Guidance - South Essex (padlet.com) 

 

New Opportunities

 

TCHC Group
GAPS is a study programme that helps young people to take control of their future. It is ideal for those not in employment, education or training (NEET), as it offers the opportunity to improve and gain Maths and English qualifications and gives young people the chance to gain confidence, practical work skills and work experience. Based in Basildon they offer programmes in the following sectors:

  • Business Administration
  • Customer Service
  • Health & Social Care
  • Construction Multi-skills
  • Employability & Independent Living
  • Motor Vehicle
  • Nail and Beauty

Contact: 01923 698452 or 01268 203844 or basildon.gaps@tchc.net 
TCHS Basildon GAP Construction Course Guide

 

HairPro1 - Canvey
New Hair and Beauty Academy are running the following course that will include functional skills in English and Maths if needed. 

  • Hairdressing L1 / L2 and L3
  • Barbering L1 / L2 and L3
  • Beauty Therapy L1 / L2 and L3

Contact: admin@hairpro1.co.uk or 01268 967147 or you can text 07834863336

CSCS Card and Functional Skills - Castlepoint
Open to young people living in Castlepoint only and will be delivered by ACL and 360 Training. Young people will also have the opportunity to work with a mentor who works in the Construction industry as part of their course. More details to come!

Start Date: TBC

 

Essex Music Service NEET Project - Basildon
Interested in Music? A 10-week programme working on a Bronze Arts Award qualification. Students will work with two musicians on an area of music that interests them. This could be music technology, music production, song writing or DJ skills. The course involves learning an art form, attending and reviewing a performance, researching a musician or artist that interest them and sharing their new skills with a friend or Tutor.

The Bronze Arts award is a recognised qualification witch nurtures young people's individual interests in arts and culture, building their confidence while equipping them with life skills for education and future employment.

If you have any questions, please do email or call Ollie Colquhoun on 07435662083.

This 10 week programme runs every Monday from 9am -12pm at Southernhay Youth Centre.

 

Support

Essex Youth Service Social Prescribers
Improving young people's health and wellbeing outcomes through youth work support and signposting based on the individual needs and priorities. Open to young people in Brentwood and Basildon aged 11 to 17 (see flyer for specific areas and criteria). 6 to 8 early intervention sessions offer support to engage with:

  • Positive activities
  • 1:1 work
  • Resilience building
  • Travel training
  • Working on coping strategies, and more!

Contact: Social.Prescriber@essex.gov.uk

Mind - Youthful Wellbeing Support (service for young adults aged 18-25)
Mind - Thurrock and Brentwood (Brentwood & Basildon)
Mind - South East and Central (Castle Point and Rochford)


NHS Talking Therapy
Vita Health Group deliver free talking therapies on behalf of the NHS in Basildon and Brentwood to people aged 16 years and over who can self-refer to the service. Read more and self-refer here or phone 01268 977171.


College Applications

If you are thinking about further education or an apprenticeship, then we recommend attending an open day. Please see links below to local colleges, you may need to book your place in advance:

 

* Opportunities on this page were last updated on 09/04/25. Next update due 30/04/25.