Sports clubs are often at the heart of local communities. They bring people together, create opportunities to be active, build friendships, boost confidence and provide a sense of belonging. But behind every successful club is a commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels safe, included and supported.
That’s where Wayne and Marianne, our Sport Welfare Leads come in. Working alongside clubs and groups across Greater Essex, they provide practical support to help organisations, strengthen their safeguarding practices and develop welfare policies, ultimately creating positive experiences for participants of all ages.
One club that has benefited from their tailored support is Great Yeldham Table Tennis Club.
A Community Club Built for Everyone
Founded in 2023 by the late John Marks, Great Yeldham Table Tennis Club was established with a simple vision, to create a space where people of all ages and abilities could come together through sport.
What began as an idea sparked by a conversation with the Table Tennis Association quickly grew into a thriving community club in the small village in North Essex. Following an advert in the village magazine, local residents responded enthusiastically and the club officially opened its doors to participants in March 2023.
What’s special about the clubs is the wide range of individuals it attracts. Members range from children as young as 12, to players in their 80’s and beyond.
“It’s all ages, all abilities. It’s about getting people out of the house. It’s a lovely social club, there’s loads of chatting, everyone gets on well, and you can always have a cup of tea and a biscuit.”
Phyllis Marks, Club Treasurer
That welcoming atmosphere is what makes the club special. Every week, members gather not only to play table tennis but also to connect, learn from one another and enjoy being part of a community.
The Importance of Club Welfare
As the club grew, so did the need to ensure that everyone participating could do so in a safe, supportive environment. Like many grassroots clubs, Great Yeldham wanted to make sure it had the right safeguarding policies and procedures in place but wasn’t entirely sure where to start.
That’s where Active Essex’s Sport Welfare Leads stepped in.
The team works directly with clubs to provide tailored advice on safeguarding and welfare, helping volunteers understand their responsibilities and giving them the confidence to put effective processes in place. For Great Yeldham Table Tennis Club, that support proved invaluable.
Club Welfare Officer Phil King worked closely with Wayne and Marianne to strengthen the club’s safeguarding approach and develop clear policies that reflected the needs of its members.
“The Sport Welfare Leads really steered us in the right direction. They responded quickly, came to visit the club, helped sense-check our policies and supported us all the way.”
Phil King, Club Welfare Officer
As a result, the club now has clear safeguarding procedures and a welfare policy that is available at every session, helping to ensure members, volunteers and parents understand the club’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment.
Building Confidence for Volunteers
For many community clubs, safeguarding responsibilities fall to volunteers who are passionate about their club but may have little previous experience in welfare matters.
The Sport Welfare Leads help remove that uncertainty by providing practical support, resources and reassurance. By helping clubs review policies, identify areas for improvement and understand current best practice, they are enabling local organisations to focus on what they do best: delivering positive sporting experiences for their communities.
The impact extends far beyond paperwork.
Strong welfare processes help build trust between clubs, families and participants, creating environments where people feel valued, respected and able to thrive.
A Club Where Generations Come Together
The benefits of that supportive environment can be seen throughout Great Yeldham Table Tennis Club. Twelve-year-old Teddy enjoys attending alongside his dad and says the club has helped him develop both his table tennis skills and his confidence.
Fifteen-year-old members H and Charlie speak about the encouragement they receive from older players, while 80-year-old Reggie values the friendships and physical activity that keep him active and connected.
“It’s not about winning, It’s about the friends. The activity keeps me moving and it’s a good workout. It’s the sort of thing that keeps me going.”
Reggie, Club Attendee
Vice Chairman Kevin believes the club’s unique mix of generations is one of its greatest strengths.
“Everybody helps everybody. We bring coaches in for the youngsters and mentor them. Sometimes the game can be frustrating, but it’s all about having fun.”
Kevin, Vice Chairman
Creating a safe, inclusive culture allows these relationships to flourish and helps ensure every member feels welcome, regardless of age, experience or ability.
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
Following the sudden passing of founder John Marks in 2025, the club has continued to thrive thanks to the strong community spirit he helped create.
Members have introduced the John Marks Memorial Trophy, an annual tournament that celebrates his contribution and gives players of all standards the opportunity to enjoy friendly competition together. For his wife, Phyllis, the club remains a source of friendship, support and connection.
“I’m so proud of this club. The members have been such a support. Friends come and collect me and bring me here. It’s given me something to look forward to.”
Phyllis Marks, Club Treasurer
Helping Clubs Across Essex Thrive
Great Yeldham Table Tennis Club is just one example of how our Sport Welfare Leads are helping grassroots clubs across the county create environments where people can feel safe, supported and included.
By working alongside volunteers, welfare officers and club leaders, the team is helping to strengthen communities, improve safeguarding standards and ensure that sport remains a positive experience for everyone. Because when people feel safe and welcome, sport becomes about much more than competition. It becomes a place where confidence grows, friendships flourish and communities come together.
To find out more about how our Sport Welfare Leads work with clubs, click here.
