UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Local intelligence and youth voice highlighted rising concerns around anti-social behaviour, mental health challenges in green spaces, and financial hardship, with 1,965 children living in absolute low‑income households and 11.5% of residents claiming Universal Credit. Feedback from Essex Youth Service’s Make Your Mark survey showed that Jobs & Economy, Crime & Safety, and Health & Wellbeing were the top issues for young people, while the ECVYS Listening Report revealed that sport was the most requested activity. These insights reinforced the need for positive, accessible opportunities that build resilience, improve wellbeing, and restore pride in local spaces.

Active Essex acted quickly, drawing on the development phase of the Place Partnership Expansion and strong local relationships to co-design a programme that brought together trusted organisations already embedded in the community. Yellow Door, Bar ‘n’ Bus, ATF, Trust Links, the Castle Point & Rochford School Sport Partnership, and the Essex Youth Service all played a vital role in shaping and delivering the work. Together, they created a package of support that included eight‑week life skills programmes in secondary schools for at‑risk young people, street‑level engagement and multi‑sport sessions in parks and green spaces, leadership development through the Move With Us Leaders Academy, and weekly inclusive youth groups in Thundersley for neurodiverse young people and those facing mental health challenges.

Across the programme, four Positive Futures projects supported 50 young people, while 12 weeks of street and park engagement reached more than 100 young people across five key areas. Youth outreach in Benfleet and Hadleigh, including mobile youth units, helped strengthen relationships and gather further insight. The inclusive youth group in Thundersley provided a safe and supportive environment for 11–18‑year‑olds to build confidence and connection.

The impact of the programme has been significant and links in with our contribution to the Fit for the Future strategy. Young people have developed more positive attitudes towards physical activity and sport, with leadership programmes and inclusive sessions helping to build confidence and aspiration. Parks and green spaces have become more connected and accessible, restoring pride and creating safer environments for young people to gather. Physical activity has acted as a preventative tool, supporting mental health, reducing isolation, and diverting young people from risky behaviours. The programme has also strengthened the local workforce, with organisations collaborating to deliver youth work, mentoring, and leadership training. Importantly, this early work has informed Castle Point Borough Council’s Youth Task and Finish Group, positioning the area to deliver the government’s new Youth Strategy.

Through a strong consortium of partners, we have already been able to attract additional delivery funding. Relationships between the School Sport Partnership and locally trusted organisations have strengthened significantly. This creates new pathways for young people to move from school into community‑based participation, leadership, and volunteering. The consortium is now well‑positioned to support CPBC’s Youth Task and Finish Group and to leverage future national investment through the government’s new Youth Strategy.