Mayor Tony Cox Launches Charity Year for Neurodivergent Support in Southend

Southend Mayor Tony Cox has kicked off his charity year by hosting a community event at the Victoria Shopping Centre, selecting SAFE Essex and SEND The Right Message (STRM) as his chosen charities. The event saw STRM distribute two boxes of free neurodivergent family resources, funded by NHS Essex, already reaching over 19,000 families in the county. Cox, who has two SEND children and is pursuing a diagnosis for ADHD and Asperger’s, aims to raise funds and raise visibility for neurodivergent people in public life.

Mayor Launches Charity Year

Southend Mayor Tony Cox has launched his charity year by hosting a community event at the Victoria Shopping Centre. The mayor selected SAFE Essex and SEND The Right Message (STRM) as his chosen charities, both of which serve neurodivergent people.

Charities and Community Support

During the launch, STRM distributed two boxes of free neurodivergent family resources. The packs, funded by NHS Essex, have already reached more than 19,000 families across the county, providing practical advice and support. Representatives from both charities attended the event, and the partnership was praised for complementing each other’s services: STRM offers early-stage advice, navigation, and advocacy, while SAFE Essex focuses on lifelong support, social inclusion, and community activities.

Personal Commitment and Vision

Cox, who is the leader of Southend’s Reform Group and mayor, said he wants to raise as much money as possible for the charities while promoting greater visibility for neurodivergent people in public life. He added that his two children are SEND children and that he is currently undergoing the process to be formally diagnosed with ADHD and Asperger’s. "I really want to prove to people that you can still participate in full public life," he said.

Impact and Future Plans

SAFE Essex development worker Andrea Walter highlighted that the mayor’s support would help reach more families across Southend. "Having the mayor bring our two organisations together under one civic umbrella means we can pool our expertise, reach more families collectively, and build a seamless, stronger safety net for autistic/neurodivergent individuals and their support networks across Southend," she said.

SAFE Essex CEO Maggie Cleary called the recognition an "incredible honour" and stressed the importance of raising awareness and understanding across the city.