Rochford Community Fund
Empowering local communities through collaborative funding
Launched in April 2025, the Rochford Community Fund stands as a flagship example of Active Networks in action, demonstrating how localised, insight led collaboration can tackle inactivity and health inequalities through shared investment.
The fund was enabled by Active Essex committing £10,000 from its locality Active Networks funding stream, which unlocked a further £10,000 from the Health and Wellbeing Board and £10,000 from Rochford District Council. This joint approach significantly expanded the size and potential impact of the fund, allowing community organisations to apply for grants of up to £2,000 for projects aimed at improving health, wellbeing and quality of life across the district. The fund generated extensive interest, with applications focused on mental health support, inclusive sports provision, volunteering opportunities and activities tailored to residents with additional needs. This strong response demonstrated how Active Networks can empower communities to design and deliver local solutions that strengthen voice, participation and healthier lifestyles.
Active Essex played a strategic and enabling leadership role throughout the development of the community fund, embedding the principles of Active Networks into its design, operations and community engagement. The £10,000 from Active Networks was pivotal not only in securing match‑funding but also in embedding a shared commitment to addressing inactivity and inequality in line with the Fit for the Future strategy.
Working closely with Rochford District Council’s Public Health Improvement Officer, Corporate Manager for Communities, Leisure and Health, and the Senior Leisure & Cultural Services Officer, Active Essex ensured that the fund aligned with the priorities of the Castle Point & Rochford Health & Wellbeing Strategy. Promotion of the fund was amplified through Find Your Active networks, stakeholder distribution lists, social media channels and the Find Your Active Place Navigator, ensuring widespread awareness among grassroots groups. Active Essex also provided guidance to organisations on inclusive activity design and community engagement, helping smaller or informal groups navigate the application process with confidence. This collaborative systems‑leadership approach demonstrated how Active Essex drives change beyond sport, supporting health, culture and community resilience.
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.
Guidance
Smaller groups needed clearer guidance and templates to navigate eligibility and match‑funding
Expectations
Especially around sustainability and long-term legacy for groups with no planning or funding.
The ripple effects of Active Essex’s involvement have already become visible, with strengthened local partnerships across health, leisure and community sectors and increased awareness of Find Your Active and other Active Essex funding opportunities. The fund has also enhanced capacity for community‑led health and wellbeing initiatives, encouraging voluntary, faith‑based and grassroots organisations to play a more active role in shaping preventative approaches across the district. This increased engagement has created momentum for more collaborative, locally owned approaches to tackling inactivity and health inequalities.
The next phase of work will focus on monitoring funded projects and capturing impact stories to showcase the outcomes achieved across the district. Learning from this fund will be shared with other districts to support replication of the model, and plans are already being explored for a potential new round of funding in May 2026. Active Essex will continue to embed its principles into local funding strategies, ensuring that future investment strengthens place‑based partnerships, empowers community organisations and accelerates progress towards more active, healthy and connected communities across Rochford.
