Southend locality
With a population size of 182,465, Southend is a Unitary Authority and the closest major seaside resort to London, attracting large numbers of visitors each year.
However, children in Southend in school years 1 and 2 report lower enjoyment levels to physical activity than the England average, which creates a significant barrier to their participation in physical activity and sport. Reflecting this challenge, but not equitable for, activity levels among children have declined in the past year by 3.7 percentage points, with just over half of young people under 16 achieving the recommended 60 minutes or more of daily activity.
Measuring impact in Southend to improve outcomes for residents
Only 51.7% of Southend children and young people are active.
Partners across Southend-on-Sea are rebuilding and revitalising the local physical activity system for young people, identifying what’s strong and creating shared ambitions to address activity levels.
52.9% of residents in Southend, living with a disability are inactive
Understanding resident’s barriers to physical activity has driven the Active Southend Fund to ensure they provide new and sustainable opportunities for residents living with long term health conditions.
64.9% of adults living in Southend are leading an active lifestyle.
Utilising the Thames Estuary and waterways in the district, access to blue spaces with improved diversity and inclusion, have helped improve residents mental and physical wellbeing.
Making movement a priority in Southend
Active Essex is embedded throughout the Southend system, working closely with partners to champion physical activity and strengthen community health and wellbeing. Our involvement includes the South East Essex Alliance Healthy Neighbourhoods Group, ensuring movement is recognised as a key contributor to prevention, resilience and improved population outcomes.
We work collaboratively through Active Southend and Active Southend-on-Thames, bringing together local organisations, community groups and system leaders to shape place-based approaches that make it easier for residents to move more, in ways that work for them.
Through these partnerships, Active Essex continues to embed physical activity as a priority across Southend’s health, community and place structures, helping to create a more active, connected and inclusive city for all.
