Community Connectors
Supporting communities to find their active
The Community Connectors are the eyes and ears at a local level across districts and neighbourhoods in Essex. Introduced as part of the behaviour change campaign Find Your Active, Community Connectors support residents to get active, and understand current local provision in their area.
Community Connectors work closely with Active Essex hub teams, forming close relationships so that gaps in provision can be addressed and highlight opportunities for new groups and interventions. Referral routes through the Essex Wellbeing Service have also helped residents who need support.
Connecting and working with local partners, organisations and individuals, has been vital for the work of the Community Connectors to help find solutions to make an impact on physical activity levels locally. By reaching out and offering support to residents who are new to activity, the Connectors have helped to take the fear and anxiety out of the initial step towards a more active lifestyle.
All residents across the county can access the support network in which the Connectors have established. However, Active Essex have recognised that 38% of those that have benefitted from the Community Connectors are 60+ years old, demonstrating that these roles have also helped reduce social isolation and loneliness faced by many older residents.
