The Active Essex Foundation
Creating conditions to tackle inequalities through sport and physical activity
The Active Essex Foundation is a registered charity that has been set up to increase the use of physical activity and sport to engage and support the most inactive communities and tackle the inequalities that exist across Essex.
With a vision to reduce the inequalities in Essex that prevent fair access to physical activity and sport by empowering disadvantaged communities and changing lives, the charity has worked with over 200 local organisations since their conception.
The Active Essex Foundation (AEF) have been able to help broker relationships between systems such as the criminal justice sector, mental health services and the sport for development sector, thus playing an important role in contributing to the sectors 10-year strategy, Fit for the Future, demonstrating the role sport has to play within these systems.
Projects that have been supported by the Foundation have focused both on young people who are at risk of being or are involved in the criminal justice system, and young people with poor mental wellbeing. The collaborative nature of the Foundations' work alongside locally trusted organisations provide vital support and opportunities for young people around the county.
The Active Essex Foundation have done a fantastic job at highlighting the power of sporting and physical activity to inspire communities to become more active, therefore leading healthier, happier and more positive lives. This year has seen them develop further trusting, long-term strategic partnerships with organisations that align closely to their vision and strategic priorities.
Growing their reach across the county, and into multiple systems was a key priority for the team this year. A conference was held to showcase the intentions of the Sport and Youth Crime Prevention project alongside partners and colleagues in the criminal justice sector, helping to elevate the work the charity are doing within and alongside local organisations and communities.
Multiple networking events were also held for partners to connect and share learnings from across all aspects of the charity's work, which proved to be extremely successful. These events also resulted in a stronger cohesion between the charities partners, and the Active Essex Active Partnership team, once again strengthening the whole system approach.
The Foundation have been able to bring together like-minded organisations to share experiences and learnings to develop county-wide offers. By working together collaboratively and not in isolation, they are able to provide a wide range of opportunities.
The ABCD approach has been something in which Essex has been seen to be adopting over the past few years, thanks to the Essex Local Delivery Pilot. This year the Active Essex Foundation developed this further, encouraging more organisations and stakeholders to learn about this important approach to working successfully with communities.
12 guides and 11 stewards have been trained over the past 12 months, establishing ABCD share and learn networks, and delivering workshops to the entire Active Essex, Essex Pedal Power and Public Health Essex teams.
Read the charity case studies to learn more
Sport and Youth Crime Prevention project
Creating conditions to reduce vulnerabilities leading to youth crime and exploitation
Working with and alongside the community
Creating conditions to tackle inequalities to strengthen our communities
Sport and Youth Mental Health programme
Creating conditions to support young people’s mental health and wellbeing
