With Halloween now complete, the Healthwatch Essex team have been wrapping up warm and heading out to events across Essex. After an amazing October, find out which public events the team will attend in November, but first, let’s look at this month’s highlights…
In October, we saw the team head across Essex to hospitals, community events, universities, colleges and so much more. This month, the team were also delighted to receive three wellbeing dragons from United in Kind, which now live in the Healthwatch Essex office as daily reminders to recognise when we’re feeling stressed (Red Dragon), driven (Blue Dragon), or calm and connected (Green Dragon). Having them in the office has encouraged more open conversations about how we’re feeling and created a calmer, more supportive atmosphere.
This month our Carers Voices team also received a runners up award recognised in the Support for Caregivers, Friends and Family category, at the Patient Experience Network Awards 2025! A huge congratulations to our Carers Voices team and to every carer who’s shared their story and helped shape better support across Essex.
We also saw our Fella’s Forums out and about this month, with the Colchester Fella’s Forum going to Lexden Wood Golf Club to practice their skills on the driving range, and our Braintree Fella’s Forum enjoyed a session of bowling, receiving prizes and having relaxed chats. This month, we have also announced the launch of our new Harwich Fella’s Forum! The Harwich Fella’s having their first meetup at the Royal Oak, discussing what activities and discussions they would like for the forum.
For more information about our Fella’s Forums, please email Scott Tatum on [email protected] or head to our Men’s Health tab.
November Events
The Healthwatch Essex team will be heading out and about in November, so make sure to mark your calendar. Starting in November, you will be able to find our team at Slipper Swap Events across the county, giving out free slippers ready for the winter season ahead. So look out for the Healthwatch Essex van and take a look at the various events where you will be able to find our team:
2nd November, 10 am-2pm: Stand at Basildon Hospital
2nd November, 10.30am-3.30pm: Stay Safe & Well This Winter event at St Giles’ Church in Nazeing
4th November, 10.30am-3.30pm: Stay Safe & Well event at St Giles Church Hall, Nazeing 
4th November, 10am-2pm: stand at Basildon Hospital
6th November, 10am-4pm: Age well Fair at Witham Public Hall
7th November, 12-1.30pm: Slipper Event at Queens Hall in Halstead
10th November, 10am-2pm: Stand at Broomfield Hospital
11th November, 1.30-4.30pm: Slipper Event at Sible Hedingham Parish Council Offices
12th November, 10am-midday: Blue Flower Group at Sawyers Church in Brentwood
14th November, 10am-1pm : Slipper Event at Silver End Congregational Church
16th November, 11am-3pm: Bedford House Winter Craft Fair in Buckhurst Hill
18th November, 10am-midday: Slipper Event at Bocking Village Hall
19th November, 2-4pm: Slipper Event at Causeway House in Braintree
21st November, 10am-3pm: Stand at Asda Clacton
26th November, 10.30am-12.30pm: Memory Café at Laindon King Edward Community Centre
27th November, 10am-midday: St Nicholas Church Group in Tillingham
Our Information and Guidance team have been trained and accredited as partners of the Essex Sexual Health Service Umbrella Project and at each of the events marked by an umbrella, we will be able to supply care packages to anyone who advises us that they are involved in sex work, along with any information and guidance which may be required.