As we mark the one-year anniversary of the Move With Us campaign and its Ambassador Programme, I’m proud to reflect on the progress we’ve made in the space as an organisation and the vital role our ambassadors have played in shaping how we support children and young people to be more active across Essex.
The programme was developed as part of the wider Move With Us behaviour change campaign, which encourages young people to engage in physical activity in ways that work for them. During the campaign’s development, we engaged with primary and secondary schools to better understand the behaviours, motivations, and barriers young people face into getting active and taking part in physical activity. Through these conversations, one message stood out and it’s that young people want to be heard and to have a say in shaping the opportunities available to them.
Launched in August 2024, to date the Ambassador Programme has welcomed 38 young people aged 13–17 from across Greater Essex. The youth voice powered programme provides a platform for them to influence the future of physical activity while developing valuable, transferable skills to support their personal and professional aspirations. Their contributions are formally recognised through references from Active Essex and Essex County Council.
Crucially, our ambassadors help pass on their ideas and insights directly to the Active Essex team and Board, ensuring we stay connected to the real experiences and needs of young people. Their voices help influence change, shape strategy, and ensure that our work remains relevant and impactful. The ideas they bring forward are not only valued, but they are also essential to achieving our organisational aims and creating real and significant change.
On a personal level, some of my most meaningful experiences growing up came through taking part in physical activity in PE lessons, after-school sessions, or through grassroots clubs. These opportunities played a huge part in shaping who I am today. They helped me build confidence, develop resilience, and understand the value of teamwork. They also led to friendships that have lasted well beyond school, and physical activity continues to be a regular and important part of my life.
One experience that particularly stands out from my PE GCSEs was organising a football tournament. I began by holding a focus group with my peers to understand what kind of activity they’d enjoy most, and football came out on top. I remember having great fun designing the tournament format, naming each pitch after iconic stadiums to build excitement, arranging medals, and even coordinating referees. To create a memorable atmosphere, I played the Champions League anthem during the warm-up and as the teams walked out, small touches that made a big impact. Every idea shared in the focus group was implemented and seeing it all come to life was incredibly rewarding. It gave me a real sense of leadership and purpose.
What sticks with me most is how energising it felt to shape something that others enjoyed. But looking back, it’s also a reminder of how rare those opportunities were. I often reflect on how much more I could have contributed if there had been a consistent platform to express my thoughts, explore creative approaches, and help shape more inclusive and enjoyable opportunities for others.
That’s why I’m so passionate about the Move With Us Ambassador Programme. It offers young people the platform I wish I’d had empowering them to lead, influence, and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Over the past year, we’ve hosted four Get Togethers, both online and in person, where ambassadors have shared their insights, built peer connections, and taken part in workshops focused on discussion, insight, and collaboration. Each session also includes a fun, active element such as Ninja Warrior or Laser Tag to keep the experience enjoyable and engaging.
The ambassadors’ input has been instrumental. By reviewing the Children & Young People Active Lives Survey 2024, they’ve explored physical activity trends across Essex, identified key challenges, and offered thoughtful recommendations. Their insights have directly informed the development of more inclusive and relevant strategies.
They’ve also contributed to several key initiatives, including:
- Providing feedback to the UK Government’s Deliver You – National Youth Strategy Survey
- Selecting the Young Sports Personality of the Year for the Essex Activity Awards 2024
- Choosing the winning design for the Barclays Girls Football School Partnership Essex Kit Competition ahead of UEFA Women’s EURO 2025
- Offering input on Essex’s Water Safety Strategy, particularly around low swimming proficiency
Youth insight is a strategic priority for the Active Essex Board, and our ambassadors have played a key role in informing its direction. Throughout the year, the Board has posed specific questions to the ambassadors to better understand the needs, challenges, and aspirations of young people. Their feedback continues to shape our approach and ensure our work remains grounded in lived experience.
I’m incredibly proud of the role these young people have played and continue to play in helping us stay connected to the realities of their generation. Their involvement ensures that our strategies are not only informed but inspired by the voices of those we aim to support.
Importantly, you don’t have to love sport to be part of the Move With Us Ambassador Programme. We want to hear from all young people especially those who may not currently be active so we can better understand how to create more inclusive, accessible, and engaging opportunities for everyone. Through our workshops, we prioritise youth voice while also helping ambassadors develop skills that support their personal growth and future career prospects.
Applications for the next cohort of Ambassadors are now open. If you know a young person aged 13–17 who is passionate about making a difference and representing youth voice in Essex, we’d love to hear from them.
Register here: Move With Us Ambassadors – Active Essex
