Braintree locality
Braintree is home to 157,605 residents and has a population that is slightly older than the national average, and currently has the highest level of activity across all districts in Greater Essex.
Although both rural and urban areas make up the district, it has an extensive rural landscape. That, combined with the fact 20% of residents are living with a disability under the Equality Act definition, presents meaningful barriers to accessing physical activity opportunities. These factors can also place additional pressure on local health and community services, highlighting the importance of targeted support and inclusive provision across the area.
Measuring impact in Braintree to improve outcomes for residents
70% of adults are leading an active lifestyle in Braintree.
United around a shared vision of supporting everyone in the district to have the opportunity to engage in sport and physical activity, the Active Braintree network is shaping visible and accessible opportunities that are shaped around community needs.
43% of children in Braintree are leading an active lifestyle.
Focused on increasing the number of active children, system partners have collaborated around the Essex ActivAte Holiday Activity and Food programme to offer wrap-around family support, enhancing more opportunities to get active, for all.
1,100+ secondary school children don’t have access to green space.
Beat the Street empowers families to make small changes in their daily routines, to participate in more walking and cycling. As a result, residents get active outdoors, supports positive mental wellbeing and brings communities together in rural areas.
Making Movement a Priority in Braintree
A higher than national average proportion of Braintree’s adult population are leading an active lifestyle, however compared to baseline, the number of children and young people active in the district has decreased by 5.1% points, which highlights a specific area of focus.
Their local network, Find Your Active Braintree is an independent charity Active Braintree Foundation, that work collaboratively with sports clubs, facilities and voluntary groups to promote and provide opportunities for increase physical activity, health and wellbeing. The Foundation is represented on Braintree’s Health and Wellbeing panel, working in parallel with the districts Health and Wellbeing grants.
Braintree is united by ambition and driven by movement, the following case studies show how the district is contributing to the Fit for the Future Strategy.
