Active Essex’s ethos is to build and sustain strong, trusted relationships across the 14 localities in Greater Essex, building upon their strengths to create meaningful and lasting impact, whilst collectively working towards a shared vision. But what is important to factor in, is that although every place and neighbourhood is distinctively different, learnings and successes can be shared across areas to help create the conditions that enable all communities to thrive.
A fantastic example is the work being undertaken by Epping Forest District Council (EFDC), using Active Essex learnings. Through strategic funding, community-led approaches, and system-wide collaboration, the district has begun to reshape the health landscape in Ninefields, Waltham Abbey; Limes Farm, Chigwell; and Oakwood Hill, Loughton.
While Epping Forest is not typically associated with high deprivation, pockets of significant inequality exist. Limes Farm, Oakwood Hill and Ninefields rank among the 30% most deprived wards in England. These areas face challenges across multiple determinants of health, including income, education, housing, crime and access to services.
EFDC leveraged a range of funding opportunities including the Public Health Accelerator Bid (PHAB) and built on insights from the Essex Local Delivery Pilot (ELDP) and Place Partnership (PP) Development Fund to coordinate efforts that go beyond physical activity – tackling the wider determinants of health through universal proportionalism.
Local Story: Limes Farm
Limes Farm is one of the most income deprived wards in the district and has the fourth highest rate of obesity among reception-aged children. There are struggles with anti-social behaviour, making youth engagement critical.
The Limes Farm Colts football club, a vital outlet for young people, faced operational challenges and lacked qualified volunteers. Through PHAB funding and support from EFDC, Active Essex and Essex County Council, the club was connected with Colebrook Royals FC. This partnership enabled coaching support and helped community coaches gain FA Level 1 qualifications. The Limes Farm Youth Club, which has been running alongside the football offer delivered by Youth Unity CIC, shows the communities dedication to collaborate, and this joined up approach has been pivotal.
Collaboration with Essex Police, Grange Farm Trust and the Community Safety Partnership, further strengthened the initiatives. Police officers now regularly attend sessions, fostering trust and positive relationships with local youth.
Local Story: Ladies Dance and Dine
In Ninefields and Limes Farm, the Ladies Dance and Dine project, delivered by local organisation, Making it Mindful, was designed to combat loneliness, build confidence, and promote physical activity among women. Funded through the Find Your Active Small Grants programme and EFDC, the initiative removed financial barriers and created a safe space for social connection.
The estate has faced issues with crime and isolation, and this project not only addressed inactivity, but also contributed to community cohesion and reduced anti-social behaviour.
Why has this been such critical work in Epping for Active Essex?
To continue utilising the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, EFDC attended Harlow’s Place Partnership ABCD training to continue to understand ways in which they could truly support and work with local neighbourhoods. The commissioning of the University of Essex meant they were able to design data-driven evaluation that included Ripple Effect Mapping and focus groups. Local partners and EFDC also captured community voice through door-knocking, which was a unique and effective method supported by Find Your Active Epping Network funding.
Dani Warnes, Active Essex Relationship Manager for West Essex, said: “It’s amazing to see how the whole system has come together to create real change. This aligns with the work of the ELDP and Place Partnerships, helping to highlight how our learnings are transferring across our places. Relationships across the district have strengthened and policy is beginning to shift, especially in areas like public leisure and GP practices.”
Emma Alderman, Active Essex Relationship Development Officer for West Essex, added: “We’ve acted as that soundboard, helped leverage funding, and connected trusted organisations. But the real driving force has been the passionate individuals within Epping Forest District Council to make this all happen.”
Epping Forest District Council’s leadership has been instrumental in embedding this offer locally, and taking learnings from elsewhere in Active Essex’s work.
What impact have Epping Forest District Council seen?
Vanessa Gayton, EFDC Community and Wellbeing said: “Drawing on the successes of the ABCD (Asset-Based Community Development) approach implemented in Ninefields, Waltham Abbey over recent years, EFDC has sought to extend this model to other areas affected by health inequalities and deprivation, namely Limes Farm, Chigwell and Oakwood Hill, Loughton. The introduction of dedicated Community Engagement Officers in these communities and made possible by the PHAB funding, has played a pivotal role in strengthening trust, fostering cohesion, and enhancing participation in local programmes, initiatives, and activities.
“Community volunteers have been instrumental in driving the sustainability of these projects, supported by external funding and significant contributions from Active Essex. This collaborative effort is rooted in a shared goal: empowering communities to take ownership of their health and wellbeing.”
Wendy Cockbill from EFDC Community and Wellbeing added: “EFDC remains committed to improving the lives of its residents by advancing health and wellbeing across the district by replicating the principles of the Robert Wood Johnson model, focusing on the wider determinants of health in other priority areas.
The presence of dedicated officers in each locality has proven essential. By embedding the ABCD framework into every initiative, sustainability becomes an integral part of project design. Looking ahead, our vision is to continue expanding this approach, ensuring that communities are not only supported but equipped to lead their own wellbeing journeys.”
How does this translate across the Greater Essex footprint?
This work exemplifies how Active Essex’s offer can be tailored to meet local needs, guided by community voice and strengthened through strategic partnerships. Epping Forest’s approach highlights the transformative power of collaboration, insight-led planning, and grassroots engagement in addressing health inequalities. The learning and methodology from this work are now being shared across Active Essex’s place-based teams, helping to embed a consistent approach that supports our shared purpose of creating the conditions for active communities to thrive.
