Sports Enabler
A partnership with Essex county council Involvement Service
The Sports and Activity Enabler works as a part of the Essex County Council (ECC) workforce in the Involvement Service and supports a cohort of young people who are at risk of exploitation and criminality, have been missing, or have been involved in a care setting.
The aim of the project and role is to engage 100 young people over the course of a year and also offer 10 intensive 1:1 cases. The Enabler has accumulated a caseload of 80 young people from Missing and Child Exploitation Meetings and from Children in Care. The young people range from 10-25 years old and are often in contact with the ECC Involvement Service.
The Active Essex Foundation sourced funding and assisted in bid writing for the post, which they now line manage alongside the Essex County Council Involvement Service.
By providing a Monitoring and Evaluation Toolkit, the Enabler was able to utilise this when speaking to locally trusted organisations, to make the process of embedding the young person into the programme much easier.
Linking young people with locally based community sport providers, has given them a sense of purpose and direction, enabling them to channel their energy in a positive direction. The agencies have also provided life skills sessions for the young people, which will assist them in the future when entering a working environment or pursuing their goals.
The opportunity to reconnect with the community is another important element of the work carried out by the Enabler. Helping the young people involved respect their local area and the people within the community, has encouraged them to stay away from criminal activity that would otherwise have a negative effect the community.
The opportunity to reconnect with the community is another important element of the work carried out by the Enabler. Helping young people work with locally trusted organisations gives them a sense of belonging and opportunities for volunteering and engagement allows them to make a positive contribution and provides personal growth.
