Activating Communities
Cross Sector Working to Build Trusted Community Connections
Early successes with the Craig Tyler Trust have been driven by a sensitive, cross sector approach that brings together partners across physical activity, health, education, the community and voluntary sectors.
By sharing networks, insight and resources, partners have begun to align programmes through informal working groups, connecting existing initiatives and ensuring they reflect local needs and aspirations. This joined‑up approach has enabled activity to meet people where they are, using varied entry points into physical activity and wellbeing, including creative and cultural routes, school‑based engagement and ‘stealth’ wellbeing focused on trust and relationship building.
Since April 2025, detached engagement delivered with the Craig Tyler Trust has taken a relationship‑led, invitation‑only approach, building on existing connections while gradually forming new ones as trust has grown. Funding from Sport England, Public Health and the Health Inequalities Fund has enabled weekly visits to two local sites since August.
Engagement highlighted a lack of accessible opportunities for mothers with young children, leading to the introduction of a weekly, low‑impact walking group for parents with prams or toddlers, also welcoming older residents to support social connection.
Active Essex's Role
Active Essex has played a strategic and facilitative role, supporting cross sector collaboration, helping partners align activity, and enabling funding to be targeted toward community led solutions. By prioritising relationship based engagement and systems thinking, Active Essex has supported delivery partners to work flexibly, share learning, and build the foundations for co owned programmes shaped by resident voice.
Strong relationships have also been developed with Crays Hill and North Crescent Primary Schools, shaping plans for gender‑specific child activities and parent‑inclusive after‑school sessions launching after half term.
Over the next phase, delivery will focus on launching school‑linked after‑school activities, expanding parent‑inclusive sessions, and continuing weekly community engagement. Partners will continue to refine approaches based on resident feedback, with the aim of deepening collaboration, increasing co‑ownership and sustaining activity long term.
Key learnings
It's important to take time to reflect and understand the learnings from work undertaken, to focus on ways to improve in the future.
Building trust
Gentle, invitation‑led engagement and consistent presence is essential.
Sector working
Working across sectors needs shared language and patience.
Strong connections
Schools, partners and families are building trust‑based pathways into activity.
Guided learning
Informing more integrated, culturally responsive delivery in Basildon.
Case Study
We were approached by C, a member of the settled community, following a suicide bereavement in her family. She sought guidance on suicide prevention and ways to support her close‑knit, multi‑generational family. All engagement was carried out by invitation only, ensuring trust and respect for existing community relationships. During invited visits, we provided emotional support and preventative wellbeing advice. A further need emerged during a discussion with women in the family: they wanted to improve their physical health but faced barriers linked to caring responsibilities and cultural expectations. In response, we developed a flexible “Mum and Buggy” walking group, offering gentle physical activity, social connection, and informal wellbeing conversations. The group meets weekly at times chosen by the families, with attendance varying as needed. The initiative has strengthened trust, supported ongoing engagement, and contributed to wider preventative wellbeing efforts following the bereavement.
