Strengthening Communities

London Marathon Foundation

Inspiring activity across the county

From small grants programmes, to creating more active environments, London Marathon Foundation are helping Essex move.

As a result of RideLondon-Essex 2022, Active Essex’s partnership with London Marathon Foundation (LMF), has seen over 15,000 residents get active. One million pounds has been injected into Essex to inspire activity, with over 200 initiatives, sessions and programmes set up to encourage residents to find the activity that’s right for them, with lots of this provision taking place for residents along the RideLondon-Essex 2022 route. However, LMF funding has helped inspire activity at every corner of Essex, increasing activity levels for better physical and mental wellbeing, and strengthening communities by harnessing the power of physical activity.

Small Grants Programme

The Find Your Active fund was designed to be a clear, simple and quick grant programme aimed at the hundreds of small community and voluntary organisations right across Essex who could engage with the target audiences. Over 200 initiatives, sessions and programmes have been set up as a result to encourage residents to find the activity that’s right for them.

 
85%
of funds have supported communities through the cost-of-living crisis
68%
of projects have helped to tackle inequalities
40%
of projects support children and young people to get active

Read about groups supported through this funding

Children and Young People

Dennis and Dyer Boxing

Beginner sessions for young people in Loughton, providing the opportunity for them to find their act...

Dennis and Dyer
Strengthening Communities

This Girls Ability

A non-profit organisation providing physical activity opportunities for disabled girls & young women...

This Girls Ability
Sport and Physical Activity

Send the Right Message

Teaming up with IndiRock, they provided bouldering sessions for children, young people, and their fa...

STRM Indi Rock
 
Our mission is to Inspire Activity, and we’re absolutely thrilled we’ve been able to help thousands of people of all ages and abilities to be more active through our funding partnership with Active Essex. Thanks to the 2022 RideLondon-Essex cycling event, within the past year our funding has supported a wide range of projects that are mindful of the realities of the cost-of-living crisis, making a difference to people’s lives and helping communities across the county to be more active all year round.
Catherine Anderson, Executive Director of the London Marathon Foundation
 

Funding is also enabling the expansion of community cycling initiative Essex Pedal Power into three new locations; Basildon, Colchester and Harwich & Dovercourt, following a successful pilot in Clacton and Jaywick. Essex Pedal Power is a free bike loan scheme, supporting residents to travel actively as well as increase access to employment, education and key local services in the county's most disadvantaged areas.

In addition, over 30 schools have been able to access funding to increase active travel initiatives and 70 schools have been supported to introduce active travel plans. Not only will this help to reduce the number of cars on the road around schools, but to create positive relationships between physical activity and academic performance for their pupils.

Lastly, funding has also activating communities through increasing opportunities in communities local green spaces. This has included a number of Skate Jam events across the county, utilising skate parks and including workshops to scoot, cycle and skate safely.

Active environments and active travel case studies

Active Environments

Community Cycling Initiative

Providing free bikes to residents living in our most deprived communities

Essex Pedal Power
Children and Young People

Fund supports schools to travel actively

Active Travel grants offered to Uttlesford schools to implement new ways for families to travel acti...

Uttlesford Active Travel
 
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