As another year draws to a close, I reflect that 2025 has been a year of such energy, challenge and achievement that has set in motion my optimism for 2026, which will undoubtedly be a year full of opportunities and inevitable uncertainty.
The Essex Activity Awards earlier this month are always a powerful reminder for me of why we do this work. It’s not just an event for recognising great achievements, it also provides moments of real joy, pride and inspiration. It reinforces for me what is possible when so many people come together with a shared purpose and use sport and physical activity to improve and change lives.
I want to highlight three important milestones from 2025. Firstly, the continuation of the DfE Holiday Activities and Food programme for a further three years. This is more than just a funding success. HAF represents a long-term commitment to families who need it most, ensuring less advantaged children across Essex continue to have access to quality nutrition, physical activity and emotional support, whilst enhancing the resilience and opportunities for low-income families.
Secondly, securing Sport England Place Partnership funding for six of our priority areas has been a game-changer. It allows us to focus long term support where it is needed most, whilst at the same time harvesting the learning and insight which we share extensively. The impact of our Place Partnerships will strengthen in 2026, as the system in each area comes together with the local community to make sport and physical activity available, affordable, and enjoyable for thousands of residents.
No one can ignore the uncertainties ahead for 2026, with unprecedented changes in the NHS and local authorities. Devolution and local government reform will challenge the whole Essex ecosystem. Change is never easy, but I am confident that we will ensure that sport and physical activity remain central to the future of Greater Essex.
I want to close by saying thank you. To our funding partners — Sport England, Essex County Council and the London Marathon Foundation. To all our partners who continue to champion the importance of sport and physical activity, And to our growing army of Locally Trusted Organisations who week in, week out are empowering our neighbourhoods to be active. Thank you to the hundreds of thousands of children and people across our large county who love their active life, providing us with inspiring stories that reminding us why this work matters so much. Finally, thank you to the Active Essex Board, Active Essex Foundation Trustees, and the Active Essex team, whose energy, commitment and positivity inspire me every day.
If 2025 has taught me anything, it’s that momentum matters. The momentum of investment, programmes, partnerships, and stories which builds year on year. As we move into 2026, let’s carry this momentum forward together and shape what comes next so that we continue to have such an important impact on our families and communities across Essex.
