Essex
Citizens Essex
Citizens Essex
Who are we?
We are Citizens Essex, a Citizens UK Chapter. Our Chapter is formed of local and strategic institutions, including churches, universities, colleges, schools and community groups; with local alliances in Colchester and Chelmsford and another developing in Southend.
Together, we organise to overcome injustice and win change on the things that you and your local communities care about most.
Our first local alliance founded in Colchester in 2019 and Chelmsford citizens founded in 2023. Since then we have:
- Won a campaign to create the first inclusive women-only swimming session in Colchester.
- Won improved signposting on mental health provision for young people in Colchester
- Won improved lighting and safety at Greenstead roundabout
- Provided devices for service-users of Colchester Food Bank and YMCA Essex to assist with digital inclusion
- Supported Southend Borough Council to become an accredited real Living Wage employer
- Secured a commitment from Essex PFCC to make streets safer around Anglia Ruskin University campus, whilst also committing to make it easier to report misogyny as a hate crime in Essex
- Won an Excellence in Teaching award for the 'Democracy in Action' module we teach at Essex University
- Delivered Ruskin Modules at Anglia Ruskin University
- Won commitment from Southend and Basildon Borough Councils for Malachi housing units
- Welcomed displaced Ukrainians through Communities for Ukraine
- And much more!
What are we fighting for?
Currently, we are organising across Essex to focus on our County's first Mayoral election in May 2026.
We’re bringing together everyday people and local organisations to build a better, fairer society.
Strategic Partners
- The Diocese of Chelmsford
- University of Essex
- Anglia Ruskin University
Members
- Bridgeway Mission
- YMCA Essex
- Colchester Citadel (Salvation Army)
- Chelmsford Citadel (Salvation Army)
- Colchester Foodbank
- Divine Assembly Ministries, Colchester
- Southend City College
- Chelmsford College
- Trust Links
- Churches Together in Essex and East London
- Families in Focus
- South East Essex Academy Trust
- USP College
- Welcome 2 the UK
Want to join our Chapter?
We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them and we're always looking for new members to join us!
Find out more about the benefits of becoming a Citizens UK member.
Get in touch with our local Lead Organiser, Sebastien Chapleau (seb.chapleau@citizensuk.org).