Supporting our local community

Supporting the Community

At NOWS, we believe that healing doesn’t happen in isolation — it’s rooted in connection, care, and community. Each year, we dedicate our time, skills, and resources to local charities, grassroots organisations, and families who need gentle support. From sponsoring youth teams and healthcare initiatives to hosting wellbeing days for carers, our aim is simple: to show up with heart, create meaningful impact, and help people feel held in the moments that matter most.

AEF Crime Prevention with Sport & Youth Mental Health Conference

Hosted by the Active Essex Foundation (AEF) at Colchester United Football Club, this conference brought together partners from across the criminal justice system, statutory services, and community sport organisations to explore how sport and physical activity can play a role in preventing youth crime and supporting mental health activeessex.org+10Active Essex Foundation+10Eventbrite+10.

About AEF & the Conference:
AEF is a registered charity focused on tackling inequalities in Essex by harnessing sport and activity to support vulnerable communities. Their Sport & Youth Crime Prevention project connects over 65 locally trusted organisations with statutory bodies like Essex Police, Youth Offending Service, probation services, and community providers. Active Essex Foundation+2Impact Report+2Impact Report+2. The conference featured keynote speakers, youth voices, and workshops addressing topics such as exploitation prevention, radicalisation awareness, and the mental health benefits of movement 

NOWS was proud to contribute to the AEF Conference 2024 exploring the role of sport in youth crime prevention and the urgent need for mental health support in young people. Our presentation focused on whole-person wellbeing, emotional regulation, and nervous system tools that empower change from the inside out.

Our 45-minute experience covered:

• Understanding N.O.W.S: Our holistic model for mind, body, and energy integration

• Root-cause awareness: Exploring early intervention, needs-led, and person-centred approaches

• Regulating “energy in motion”: Practical techniques to transform emotion into positive behaviour

• BodyMind movement for mental health: The impact of physical activity on:

  • Resting the nervous system

  • Releasing endorphins, dopamine & serotonin

  • Building confidence, focus, and self-esteem

• Growth mindset tools: Reframing negative self-talk to promote resilience and self-belief

• Communication between mind and body: Using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) to:

  • Acknowledge, address, and release emotion

  • Restore energy and empower behaviour

• “Nowfulness” and awareness techniques to support daily emotional regulation

• Crime prevention through emotional literacy: Teaching self-regulation as a tool for lasting change

“Teaching young people how to regulate their emotions is crime prevention. It’s the path to a world where we can disagree and still respect each other.”

Would you like a visual version of this as a downloadable resource or branded conference handout? I can help format it!

Lady McAdden Breast Cancer Trust

https://www.ladymcadden.org 

We dedicated our 2024 charitable outreach to Lady McAdden, an Essex-based charity providing early detection and breast health education. Our partnership included:

• Reiki energy healing

• Yoga & meditation

• Aroma care talk

• Free calming sprays

• Presentation on emotional regulation & creating calm

“A rare moment to feel seen, supported, and soothed.”

Lighthouse Child Development Centre

https://www.eput.nhs.uk/services/lighthouse-development-centre/about-lighthouse-centre

The Lighthouse Centre supports children and young people (CYP) with developmental needs, and their families.

In 2024 NOWS offered:

• Offered free Reiki energy healing sessions to parents and carers

• Created gentle, grounding spaces for rest and nervous system support

• Supported families navigating complex developmental journeys

“When we hold the carers, we hold the whole family.”

SEMH Headteachers Presentation

In partnership with Essex County Council SEMH Strategy in Eduictaion Team 

NOWS was invited to host a 45-minute wellbeing and regulation experience at their 2024 conference held at Chelmsford Racecourse for 350 headteachers and SEMH leads across Essex Schools.

The session focused on:

• Mindful practices for nervous system regulation

• Emotional Freedom Tapping  to support calm and clarity

• Sound Bowl Guided Mediation  for creating emotionally safe environments in schools

This collaboration highlighted the importance of mental health support for educators and provided an experience to demonstrate some techniques that we use to support CYP in class or workshop based settings  — ensuring those who lead and care for others also have spaces to restore and recharge.

Multi-Schools Council (MSC) Conference: The Big Get Together

The Multi-Schools Council (MSC) brings together children and young people with and without additional needs to promote inclusion, empathy, and understanding across Essex schools. February 2025, NOWS was honoured to host three interactive wellbeing workshops as part of The Big Get Together event — a celebration of emotional intelligence, youth voice, and mental health awareness.

Workshop Focus: “Exploring Mind, Body & Energy Connections”

Our workshops were tailored to inspire self-awareness, calm, and emotional resilience among young people — with hands-on experiences and reflective moments woven throughout.

What we covered:

• An introduction to energy in motion (emotion) and how feelings show up in the body

• Playful movement and grounding exercises to support a restful nervous system

• The science of endorphins, dopamine & serotonin and their role in:

  • Self-esteem, focus & confidence

  • Stress management & mood regulation

• Tools to build acceptance, belonging, and connection

• Growth mindset reframing, turning self-doubt into self-belief

• Mind–body awareness with EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques):

  • Acknowledging and regulating emotions

  • Releasing stuck energy

  • Empowering positive behaviour

• Daily regulation practices to help young people feel safe, seen, and supported

“Inspiring young people to regulate their emotions and embrace their uniqueness is the path to a world where we can be different — and still respect each other.”

Let me know if you’d like this written up as a case study or flyer for future youth engagement proposals — or turned into a colourful carousel for social media.

SSIF Events at Cliffs Pavilion

In partnership with Southend SEND Independent Forum (SSIF)

Across two special events in 2023 and 2024, NOWS hosted restorative wellbeing days for parents and carers of children with additional needs — creating space for deep exhale, gentle connection, and practical emotional support.

“A Day to Receive” ran from 10am–2pm at Cliffs Pavilion and included:

“A rare moment to feel seen, supported, and soothed.”

• Reiki energy healing

• Yoga & meditation

• Aroma care talk

• Free calming sprays

• A heartfelt presentation on techniques to create calm, regulate the nervous system, and reconnect with inner steadiness

These events were free of charge and designed specifically for parents and carers who give so much of themselves — offering a rare moment to be nurtured, seen, and held.

“The space felt safe, welcoming, and filled with kindness. For once, I could just be.” – Parent Attendee

Leighwood Youth Football Team

Ongoing Sponsorship
We are proud to sponsor Leighwood Youth FC, supporting their mission to foster confidence, teamwork, and joy through sport. This sponsorship provides vital kit, equipment, and opportunities for local children to thrive both on and off the pitch.

“Every child deserves a safe space to grow, belong, and feel powerful in their own body — sport helps build that.”