Rosedan, a true locally trusted organisation
Empowering young people and families through physical activity
Rosedan has established itself as a leading physical activity provider for young people in Harlow. Their commitment goes beyond supporting children, they actively engage families and strengthen community connections.
With a strong foothold in the Harlow Community, Rosedan have offered significant contribution to the districts Holiday Activity and Food programme. They saw over 95% occupancy at all 4 main school holidays, offering over 1,200 spaces and have more recently been invited to deliver at half-term going forward.
Acting as advocates and connectors, Active Essex have been able to introduce Rosedan to networks and organisations opening new doors to opportunities. Working collaboratively alongside the organisation, the West Essex hub team have been able to understand aspirations and align these with wider system priorities to maximise impact and sustainability.
As a forward-thinking and sustainable organisation, they have embraced wider opportunities offered by the sector and Sport England’s Place Partnership work to focus on their organisational development. They are steadfast in their ambition to continue to evolve and meet the needs of their community for years to come.
As a result of their unwavering passion, we have helped ensure their development aligns with community needs and long-term ambitions, to help support realistic and sustainable growth. I can’t wait to see how this organisation continues to develop.Emma Alderman, Active Essex West Relationship Development Officer
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.
Growth vs sustainability
Rosedan learned the importance of realistic growth planning to avoid overstretching resources.
Building strong partnerships
Collaborating with sector partners highlights how strategic connections can unlock opportunity.
Navigating resource constraints
Securing funding and staff capacity during holiday periods can require creative solutions.
Raising awareness of impact
Ensure strategic partners in Harlow are aware of the impact and value of Rosdean’s work locally...
A true testament to their impact and innovation, Rosedan were crowned winners of the Inspiring Young Lives award at the Essex Activity Awards 2025. Creating a safe, welcoming hub that goes far beyond childcare, the club was recognised for their engaging activities, healthy routines, and positive role models. Rosedan strengthens the community and gives parents peace of mind, helping children build confidence, social skills, and a sense of belonging. Host Danny Crates said: “The Rosedan team consistently go the extra mile, adapting to individual needs and fostering resilience and connection. Their inclusive, nurturing approach makes Rosedan a trusted service at the heart of the community, and a worthy winner.”
Active Essex and Rosedan endeavour to continue to work closely together to deepen the community impact, strengthen engagement and broaden their reach to more children and young people in Harlow.
The West Hub team want to integrate within wider system priorities across Harlow and align with local strategies for children and young people. In turn, Rosedan can provide a fantastic example of what good looks like, and Active Essex can help them to become a recognised initiative, embedding them into broader initiatives.
