Essex ActivAte

Funded by the Department for Education and Essex County Council through the 'Levelling Up' initiative, Essex ActivAte continues to engage and support primary and secondary school children who are eligible for income-related free school meals and young people from low-income working families, during school holidays and beyond.

Additionally, specialist clubs focused on mental wellbeing, targeted youth interventions and outreach, and SEND support are offered alongside mainstream provisions, that are tailored to meet the diverse needs of young people.

Providing more specialist support in a safe and inclusive environment, these clubs offer bespoke activities designed to enhance children’s physical and mental health, build resilience, and enhance social connections, ensuring that all children, regardless of their backgrounds or needs, have access to enriching and engaging experiences.

Essex County Council recognised the need for funded activities during smaller half term breaks in February, May and October, therefore continued to allocate funding to help support families further with additional, limited spaces for children from ‘low-income’ working households, children in care or at risk.

Match funding from other local authorities, such as Basildon Council, was also given to trusted organisations to enhance half term provision across Basildon communities. As a result, the support and resources available to children and families significantly increased, allowing for more engaging activities and an increase of club spaces.

At the start of 2024, Essex ActivAte opened applications for new, locally trusted organisations to apply and become a part of the Essex and Thurrock HAF programme. Nearly 100 providers were successful, willing to embed themselves into their local communities to support and engage families, young people and residents through physical activity, enrichment sessions and food education, enhancing their wellbeing.

Ramblers Riding Club

New to the Essex ActivAte programme in 2024, Ramblers Riding Club plays a significant role in supporting families and young people by offering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all ages. The club provides riding lessons, therapeutic horse-riding sessions, and opportunities for young people to develop confidence, discipline, and teamwork skills.

Through structured programmes, the club helps children and teenagers build physical and emotional resilience, while also adopting a sense of community. Families benefit from the club's affordable activities, events, and volunteer opportunities, making it a central hub for recreational and educational experiences.

As part of the HAF programme, Essex ActivAte works closely with locally trusted organisations to establish key partnerships, helping to enhance their provisions which in return, enrich children’s education and skillset's.

Path to Paris

The 'Path to Paris' initiative by Get Set UK, in partnership with Team GB and Paralympics GB, aims to inspire schools, families, and communities to get active by virtually traveling to Paris for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Following the Path to Paris initiative, the summer HAF programme saw children and young adults with SEND, try inclusive sports inspired by the Paralympics, such as archery, boccia, taekwondo, and athletics. The activities, chosen by the participants, were tailored to their specific wants and needs, boosting their confidence and self-esteem, and were delivered by local partners and organisations.

Read more about the Path to Paris partnership here.

Since 2021, the Essex ActivAte programme has been breaking down barriers by offering dynamic, free physical and enrichment activities, alongside nutritious meals, family support, and food education during school holidays. This initiative has become a lifeline for children on free school meals and those from low-income families, providing robust support to local communities. The continued funding has significantly advanced the programme's impact, which was detailed in a comprehensive report commissioned by Active Essex. The evaluation during the Easter offer considered the social return on investment, impact on young people and families, local organizations, and the wider society.

The programme has proven effective in supporting children, young people, and their families, who now rely on it to feed and care for their children during school holidays. Discontinuing the funding would not only halt this progress, but also potentially reverse the remarkable strides made in fostering resilience and empowering families and communities to thrive independently.

The evaluation highlighted the social, environmental, and economic impacts of the programme, emphasizing its value in improving wellbeing, education, and community development.

The estimated social value generated by the 2024 programme in Essex is £22.5 million, with 250,000 meals provided since 2021 to reduce holiday hunger. For every £1 spent on delivery, at least £4.49 of social value was generated, demonstrating the programme's significant return on investment.