The Met Office and UK Health Security Agency have announced a yellow cold-health alert for the East of England. This alert is now in effect from 8PM on 28/12/2025 until 12PM on 05/01/2026.

Cold weather can affect anyone, and certain groups are particularly vulnerable. These include older people (aged 65 years and over), pregnant women, young children (particularly those aged 5 and under), and people with long term health conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory disease, or a mental health condition.

For guidance on staying warm and well, visit our cold weather advice page.

Inspiring and empowering older people in our local communities to make the most of technology.    

To help people to stay in touch with the pace of modern life, we want to recruit digital buddies to help build their skills.

ipad booking

By harnessing the strengths of local partners across mid and south Essex and in particular in our local authorities, Adult Community Learning Essex and the voluntary and community sector, we are looking to recruit, train and embed digital buddies within local GP surgeries through the Primary Care Networks.

Our world is changing rapidly, from the way we keep in touch to the way we pay our bills – digital technology is having a huge impact. To help people to stay in touch with the pace of modern life, we want to recruit digital buddies to help build their skills.