Significant investment from Sport England will transform lives through the power of sport and physical activity.
Almost £10 million funding has been secured to strengthen communities and tackle inequality in activity levels across Greater Essex. The investment, from Sport England, secured by Active Essex, will support the Place Partnership programme.
The Sport England funding will see £250 million of National Lottery and Exchequer funding invested in more than 90 new places across England until 2028.
The Place Partnership programme aims to:
- increase physical activity
- decrease physical inactivity
- provide positive experiences of physical activity for children and young people
- tackle inequalities in local communities
The latest investment into Greater Essex will see Castle Point, Harlow and Thurrock benefit. Basildon, Colchester and Tendring have also received further funding support, following the work achieved through the Essex Local Delivery Pilot.
Aiming to break down the everyday barriers that prevent people from moving more and living well, this opportunity will focus on areas that need support the most, helping make physical activity a daily reality for everyone, regardless of their postcode or income.
Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director of Place at Sport England, said:
“Our recent investment into Essex reflects our continued commitment to ensure that interventions are rooted in the unique needs, cultures and priorities of local communities. Targeted investment in areas of greatest need can unlock participation and reduce health inequalities. The 3 new places in Essex, and the 3 already well on the journey, will be shining examples of how these types of approaches can drive real change locally to help create a more active, healthier nation.”
Opportunities will be co-designed with communities, in response to their specific needs. Local organisations and projects will be supported to deliver initiatives that help build capacity across the system, creating meaningful and lasting impact.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity, said:
“Sport is incredibly powerful. It can literally change lives. I am very proud of the work that has been done with the Greater Essex Partnership over the past few years to support people to fulfil their potential and all through sport and being active.
“This additional funding will really help to drive the efforts of Active Essex. We know healthier people are happier people and working with our incredible local partners across the county, it will really make a difference to so many lives.”
As one of 43 Active Partnerships, which started as a legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Active Essex are pioneers in place-based working. This has been expanded through the work of the Essex Local Delivery Pilot (LDP), which began in 2017.
Dr William Bird, Chair of Active Essex said:
“The success of the LDP has meant that Essex has received further funding to support three new areas. What we’ve learnt alongside our partners, is that we must create the conditions for our communities to thrive, and I have no doubt that this further investment will be capitalised on by all places in Greater Essex. Utilising learnings across the system from health and education to transport and recreation, we all have the ability to co-create physical activity opportunities for everyone.”
Across the six Place Partnerships, work has already taken place on identifying local needs. This has seen opportunities such as Essex Pedal Power, The Gunny Project on Canvey, and Rose Villa Surgery Community Garden in Basildon develop.
Find out more about Place Partnerships here: https://www.activeessex.org/place-partnerships/
