Struggling with your mental health?

You’re not on your own.

Next Steps Essex is a personalised support service delivered by Get Set UK on behalf of Essex County Council. This service supports young people aged 16–26 across Essex who are not currently in education, employment or training and are struggling with their mental health.

Your advisor will work with you to figure out what’s next, build your confidence, and support you into work, training, or education. Together you will focus on what matters most: what you want to achieve, what you’re good at and taking things one step at a time.

Get support

We’re here to support you to move forward

in a way that works for you.

  • Build your

    confidence

    ➤ Build motivation and self-belief

    ➤ Get support to overcome challenges

    ➤ Feel more comfortable taking new steps

  • Get ready for

    opportunities

    ➤ CV and interview support

    ➤ Help applying for jobs, courses or training

    ➤ Prepare for interviews and assessments

  • Move forward

    your way

    ➤ Develop life skills and routines

    ➤ Help managing time, travel and money

    ➤ Support tailored to your needs and goals

Is Next Steps Essex right for you?

This personalised support service is designed to support you if you’re:

➤ Aged 16–26

➤ Living in Essex

➤ Not currently in education, employment or training

➤ Struggling with your mental health

Get support

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who will know I’m getting support?

    Your information is kept private and only shared when needed to support you, or if there is a serious concern about your safety or someone else’s safety. We will always aim to explain this clearly and talk to you about information sharing wherever possible.

  • Will you speak to my doctor, CAMHS or mental health team?

    Sometimes working together can help give you better joined-up support. If you already have professionals supporting you, we may work alongside them where appropriate. We will explain what this means and involve you in decisions wherever possible.

  • What if I’m not ready for work and don’t know what I want to do?

    That’s okay, you don’t need to know. This support is not just about getting a job straight away. We can start with confidence, routines, wellbeing, life skills, training or exploring options first. We’ll begin where you are now.

  • What if I’m struggling with my mental health at the moment?

    You can still talk to us. We understand that some days are harder than others. Support is designed to work around you and your wellbeing, with a pace that feels manageable.

  • What if I’ve had a bad experience with support services before?

    We understand that can happen. Our approach is person-centred, respectful and built around listening to you. We’ll work with you, not tell you what to do.

  • Will I have one person supporting me and how often will I hear from them?

    Usually yes. You’ll have a main contact who gets to know you, understands your goals and supports you throughout your journey. We’ll agree together what level of contact works best for you.

  • Do I have to meet in person?

    Where possible, we’ll offer support in ways that work for you. This may include face-to-face, phone or online contact depending on your needs and what is available.

  • Can you help me with college, training, apprenticeships or finding a job?

    Yes. We can help you explore options, apply and prepare for courses, training, apprenticeships or employment. We may also work with other organisations where helpful to support you. 

Take your next step today

Get support

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