AN interactive tool, designed to enable people to find the support they need, when they need it, has had an update.

Developed by Harlow Hive, the Communitree was launched at the Harlow Poverty Alliance Conference in November 2024, on the back of conversations with residents who shared that they had not known where to get support in Harlow before they reached crisis point.

By following the different branches on the Communitree, people can find the organisations working within that area and find the right support for them. A QR code also links people to Frontline, which has a further directory. 

“It’s been amazing to see how useful The Communitree has been to people when they see the posters and visit the Harlow Hive website,” explains Ann Rumelhart of Harlow Hive – the group behind the Communitree. “We can see that the web page for the Communitree has been viewed over 1,300 times, and we hope that has led to people finding the support or the group that they need. The idea has been such a success that it’s even been adopted by other community groups as far away as Peebleshire and Hailsham.” 

“When we launched the Communitree, it was to a room full of organisations working within Harlow to support people,” continues Nick Davies of Harlow Hive. “The response was overwhelmingly positive. Each organisation on the original Communitree was recommended by people who have used their services. This latest version has been released because sadly some organisations like Harlow Advice Centre are no longer around, but, more positively, other organisations have been recommended to us by the public or organisations themselves have asked to be added.”

“We hope people will continue to feel empowered to find the support they need through the Communitree,” continues Ann, “and we look forward to launching a version aimed at young people – the YouthTree” – in the New Year.”  

You can find a huge copy of the Communitree in the MRCT Centre in the Harvey Centre, and visit it online at https://harlowhive.org/communitree/