Local area coordinators - help in the community

Local area coordinators - help in the community

What is Local Area Co-ordination?

In Thurrock, Local Area Co-ordination (LAC) offers support to adults aged 18 and over who are experiencing vulnerability due to various factors. This service focuses on enhancing well-being and fostering community connections, rather than providing formal social care or health services.​

The service aims to support individuals in leading fulfilling lives by connecting them with local resources and community networks. The individual must live in Thurrock to receive Local Area Co-ordination support. Rather than offering formal care, they ask individuals what a good life looks like to them and guide them in finding local support to achieve it.

What is the aim?

The aspiration is to support individuals and their families in a practical way to improve their mental, social and physical wellbeing. Local Area Co-ordination focus is to support individuals and their families to build their social networks, to create confidence and empower people to take control and have their independence.

Local Area Co-ordination looks at the “whole person”, it also includes exploring support with finance, benefits as well as housing.

Local Area Co-ordination will walk alongside an individual to move towards their vision of a good life and to prevent, reduce and delay the need for formal services wherever possible. 

Who does Local Area Co-ordination support?

Initially the team supported people who may have felt vulnerable due to age, frailty disability or mental health needs. However, the offer of Local Area Co-ordination support has broadened since 2013 and now accessible to adults facing challenges such as:

  • Feelings of isolation or loneliness
  • Depression
  • Physical disabilities
  • Sensory needs
  • Learning difficulties
  • Age and frailty
  • Complex mental health issues​
  • Carers
  • Local Area Co-ordination supports people who have fallen through the gaps in services, this could be due to engagement challenges or due to their needs being acute and sitting just outside of service criteria.
  • Individuals who have been marginalised

Local Area Co-ordination believes in making every contact count and will always explore a conversation and look to provide support if there is a want and a need.

Where can I meet the local area co-ordinator in my area?

Please note: these times and dates are subject to change due to annual leave, sick leave or training.

Corringham, Horndon on the Hill, Fobbing

Local Area Co-ordinator Susan Griggs

Wednesdays, 10am to 12pm, Corringham Library, subject to change. Please contact on 07920541258 to confirm

East Tilbury, Linford, West Tilbury and Stanford West

Local Area Co-ordinator Rachel Farmer

Tuesdays,10:30am until 12noon, East Tilbury Library and Hub

Thursday, 28 May, 11am to 1pm, Linford foodbank St Francis Hall, Somerset Road, Linford: Upcoming dates: 11 June; 9 July; 20 August, 11 September, 15 October, 12 November, 10 December 

Mondays, 9.30am to 12pm Stifford Clays Medical Practice

Tuesdays, 10am to 12.30pm, Blackshots Impulse Leisure Centre Cafe 

Purfleet and Aveley

Local Area Co-ordinator Charlotte Lambert / Charlotte.lambert@thurrock.gov.uk / 07513703202      

Mondays, 1pm to 3pm, Aveley Library and Community Hub

Tuesdays, 10am to 12pm, Purfleet-on-Thames Library and Hub

Once a month – Purfleet Pantry – Thursday, 12pm to 1.30pm appointment only

Once a month – Aveley Family Hub – Friday, 11am to 12.30pm appointment only

Tilbury 

Local Area Co-ordinator Heather MacQuarrie / hmacquarrie@thurrock.gov.uk /

07738116648           

Wednesdays, 10am to 1pm, Tilbury Library and Hub

Chadwell St Mary and Grays Woodside

Local Area Co-ordinator Helen Catterick -  HCatterick@thurrock.gov.uk / 07710950318 

Mondays, 2pm to 4pm 

Fridays, 10am to 12pm, Chadwell Library, Brentwood Road, Chadwell

Mondays, 10-12pm, Chadwell Family Hub, Claudian Way, Chadwell Appt only 

Parts of Grays and parts of Little Thurrock

Local Area Co-ordinator Xanthe Hornsby / xhornsby@thurrock.gov.uk / 07710860915

Tuesdays, 10am to 12pm, The Salvation Army, Clarence Road. Grays 

First Friday of every month, 10am to 11am,  Proper Vintage Cafe, William Street Grays

Orsett, Bulphan, South Ockendon, North Stifford

Local Area Co-ordinator, Pauline White, PWhite@thurrock.gov.uk / 07710950319

Wednesdays, 10am to 12pm, Belhus Library and South Ockendon Centre 

Stanford-Le-Hope 

Please note that surgeries are currently suspended for this locality 

If you need assistance please contact the team at: Localareacoordination@thurrock.gov.uk

Chafford Hundred and Hogg Lane /Badgers Dene

Local Area Co-ordinator, Frank Gaisie, fgaisie@thurrock.gov.uk

Tuesdays, 12pm to 2pm, Beacon Centre, Angel Cafe Drake Road, Chafford Hundred.  RM16 6RW

Please call Mobile 07738101787 to confirm before appointment.

South Ockendon

Local Area Co-ordination Joanna (Jo) Lazenby / Joanna.lazenby@thurrock.gov.uk / 07860394734        

Tuesdays, 10am to 1pm, Belhus Library and South Ockendon Centre

Last Thursday of every month, 11am to 1pm, South Ockendon foodbank drop

West Thurrock and South Stifford 

Local Area Coordinator, Pete Josling / Peter.josling@thurrock.gov.uk / 07701221397

Mondays, 9.30am to 12pm, Grays Library

Fridays, 10am to 12.30 Weekly, St Clements Hub 

First Tuesday of every month, 10am –12pm,  Morrisons, 1 London Road, Grays, RM17 5XZ

Thurrock wide

Karen Dobson, CHIP Senior Local Area Co-ordinator & CHIP Team (Specialist Housing Team)   

kdobson@thurrock.gov.uk / 07818678980        

All CHIP enquires email: CHIPreferrals@thurrock.gov.uk

To make a referral complete online:  https://forms.office.com/e/r64mkKLxXe

A member of the team will get back to you within 48 hours or as soon as possible if regarding an existing referral