A Foreword by Jason Fergus
This micro site helps to highlight the journey we're on, the impact we're making, and the learnings we're taking forward to be able to achieve the systems vision to create an active Essex to improve everyone's health and wellbeing. There are four clear steps to measuring impact; defining our outcomes and goals, being data and insight led, reporting results and communicating the findings. For those of you who read my monthly reflections, the culture we're hoping to achieve at Active Essex, can be reflected in the metaphor of rock climbing.
The ultimate goal as a rock climber, is to reach the summit, and our place-based teams who work on the Fit for the Future strategic priority work, do a fantastic job at translating local need into action. Therefore, they are paving the way to create accessible and inclusive physical activity opportunities for all, but we are by no means at the summit.
Before starting a climb, climbers plan their route, considering the best path and techniques needed. As a learning organisation, we have spent this year trying to plan our strategies and initiatives against the theory of change to achieve our goals. I'm proud of the work to date and a key impact for me, has been the work of our internal learning journey, powered by the People Culture Skills framework, and the launch of our Diversity Inclusion Action Plan. This is helping us to make significant progress to ensure that we as a team, and the support we offer the sector, reflects the audiences we are trying to engage and upskill.
Just as climbers use checkpoints to gage their progress, we use milestones and metrics to track our success. Our measures of success, as articulated in the implementation plan, help us to understand the trajectory we are on year on year. Below, you will see the headway we have made across 2024-25.
The headway we've made as a sector in Essex this year
Increasing activity levels
The number of active adults has stabled at 62% of Greater Essex residents, compared to last year.
Reduction in inactivity levels
Compared to last year, now 26.5% of Greater Essex residents are inactive, according to Active Lives.
Children's physical activity levels
More than 1 in 2 children are now active across Greater Essex, which is the highest it has ever been.
Activity levels for those living with a long term health condition
Levels of activity for residents with disability/LTHC remains stable at 47% similar to previous years.
Activity levels among underrepresented communities
Levels of physical activity among under-represented groups in Greater Essex remains a critical area of focus.
The harness and ropes used by climbers, are the support systems we have with local organisations and partners across the system. The teamwork that rock climbing requires, is reflected in our collaborative relationships, where together we work towards a shared vision. The data and insight we collect, from the plethora of programmes we work on, enables us to tell our story to help influence the system, and this micro site provides a platform to share our impact. One key learning we've had through our place-based working is recognising that conversations don't have to start with physical activity. Instead we can hardwire physical activity into the agendas of other sectors, and this has been particularly prevalent with the health sector and partners engaging with children and young people.
Rock climbers must overcome obstacles as they move along, up or down and adapt where necessary. We have an ability as a system partner to help others navigate through the ever-changing Greater Essex landscape, and learn from challenges along the way, and this is so important for our future work. The learnings from the Essex Local Delivery Pilot has shaped Active Essex into what we are today, and has positioned us to take forward Sport England's Place Partnerships opportunity. This has provided us with a fantastic moment in time to design the next chapter of Active Essex, where we are striving to build capacity across the system to create the conditions for our places to thrive and where active communities can excel.
I've really enjoyed looking back on the past year through the case studies on this site, and it makes me even more excited for what 2025/26 has in store. As we begin our journey as a Place Partner, i'm looking forward to strengthening our knowledge and relationships within hyper local communities. I'm also particularly thrilled to be able to continue the Holiday Activity and Food programme for another year, being a strong partner within the Essex Public Health team, and I know that the new structure of the Active Essex team, will position us well to really drive forward the systems Fit for the Future strategy.
Please take some time to explore our impact site where we communicate our findings, and i'd really like to highlight a couple of key areas of work i'm particularly proud of. I'm not saying we didn't lose our footing along the way, however it's just about being brave and curious in designing a new pathway up the wall and enjoying the view below.
Familiarise yourself with the vision, mission and targets set out within Fit for the Future, the Essex Physical Activity & Sport sector strategy, as this impact site showcases Active Essex's contribution to it.
Take a look at the work completed through our Strategic Priorities
Strategic Priority
Creating attractive and accessible spaces, to encourage participation in informal activities.
Strategic Priority
Ensuring every child has the best start to life, whereby they are active, healthy and happy.
Strategic Priority
Good physical and mental health is our most precious asset in life.
Strategic Priority
Supporting the recovery, development and growth of the sport and physical activity sector in Essex.
Strategic Priority
Using the power of physical activity to build strong communities.
Familiarise yourself with the vision, mission and targets set out within Fit for the Future, the Essex Physical Activity & Sport sector strategy, as this Impact Report showcases Active Essex's contribution to it.
