In July last year, Active Essex were thrilled to announce an extension of their Find Your Active campaign, Find Your Active: Move for Your Mind.
Powered by Essex Public Health Find Your Active: Move For Your Mind brings about a new chapter from the successful Find Your Active campaign; a county-wide movement, inspiring people of all ages and abilities across the County to discover and enjoy ways to get moving – whether that be getting out in the garden, a short walk, social bike ride or a friendly game of football. It celebrates the fact that everyone can enjoy the huge benefits of moving more, it’s just about finding what’s right for you.
And in January, the campaign made more exciting strides as it launched a new partnership with Mind in Essex, to champion the powerful connection between physical activity and mental wellbeing. The partnership aims to create more opportunities for people across Essex to explore movement in ways that feel enjoyable and accessible.
As the campaign continues to gain momentum, we’re pleased to welcome Paris 2024 Bronze Medal winner, and professional boxer – Lewis Richardson, and British Para Swimmer and World Champion – Ellie Challis into the Active Essex family as our Athlete Ambassador’s for 2026.
Lewis, spent 2025 as our Athlete Ambassador, visiting his old school to deliver an inspiring talk and lead a boxing session, spoke with our Director, Jason Fergus in an interview for International Olympic day. He also helped us task the county with getting active during National School Sports Week and on National Fitness Day. His passion when sharing his story, and his dedication to inspiring the next generation truly inspired us as he went above and beyond in his role as an advocate for Active Essex.
Lewis has had a breakthrough year since the Paris 2024 games where he was the only Team GB boxer to medal, and after a stellar amateur career which led him to Olympic Bronze, has now turned pro. Since making the move to professional boxing, with his debut bout taking place at Ipswich Town’s Portman Road stadium, Lewis has taken part in two fights, finishing as winner in both. He explained;
I’m really excited to be an athlete ambassador for the Find Your Active: Move for Your Mind campaign. Movement has always been a huge part of my life, whether that’s for performance-related purposes or just staying active day to day. Mental strength is really important to me, and I’ve felt first-hand how much better I am mentally when I’m able to move. I’ve also seen the positive impact it’s had on the people around me, it can be a snowball effect, but it all starts with moving.
Ellie is one of Britain’s most decorated young para-swimmers, with a host of Paralympic and World Championship medals to her name, Ellie is also a record breaker, holding the Women’s SB2 50m Breaststroke world record. Ellie’s early-life adversity is well known, she contracted meningitis at 16 months old, resulting in amputations of both legs above the knee and both arms below the elbow.
Despite this, she has forged a remarkable sporting career, regularly sharing her message of resilience, determination, and overcoming barriers. Ellie is also an ambassador for the Meningitis Trust and has been in the role since the age of 5. As an ambassador for the charity, she helps other children adjust to life after limb loss. A previous winner of the Young Sports Personality of the Year award, Ellie has achieved so much at just the age of 21.
“I’m really excited to be working with Active Essex on their Find Your Active Move Your Mind campaign this year. Movement is super important to me because it made physio fun and I met so many friends through being active and swimming. I love seeing people try new sports and ways to be active whilst also having fun.”
This year the pair will be visiting schools and local organisations, sharing their stories to thousands and echoing the message of the Find Your Active campaign. It’s great to be working in partnership with them both as part of the campaign, and we can’t wait for them to inspire Greater Essex residents to move more for their mind.
Find out more about the Find Your Active: Move for your Mind campaign here: https://www.activeessex.org/find-your-active/
