Community Navigation in Action
Increasing Physical Activity Through Trusted Community Settings
In Clacton, Jaywick and Walton, Find Your Active Community Navigator Sarah Kamara has embedded herself at the heart of local communities to help residents overcome long‑standing barriers to physical activity.
Funded by Active Essex and hosted by CVST, her relationship‑based model enables her to engage individuals who are inactive, isolated, or anxious about traditional leisure settings. By meeting people where they are, both physically and emotionally, Sarah supports residents to build confidence, connect with others, and take manageable steps into regular activity.
Through consistent presence in trusted community venues and by understanding local needs, Sarah has identified gaps in provision and co‑created new, culturally relevant activities that resonate with residents. This includes chair‑based aerobics delivered in a local social club and a weekly Party Dance session offered in her own time, with all proceeds donated to charity.
These non‑traditional opportunities provide an accessible first step for people who would never consider gyms or structured fitness sessions, demonstrating the value of flexible, community‑rooted approaches.
Active Essex’s investment in the Place Navigator role has enabled Sarah to build deep, relationship‑led connections, strengthening engagement and trust with harder‑to‑reach residents. This has also led to organic “spin‑off” sessions that now sit beyond her funded remit. This approach aligns with Active Essex’s ambition to deliver activity in places where people feel safe and welcome, improving both reach and long‑term sustainability.
This has strengthened local partnerships, working with CVST, Clacton Conservative Club and Clacton Railway Club to offer welcoming, low‑barrier opportunities. These collaborations highlight the value of place‑based working, ensuring activity is shaped with—not just for—local communities.
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.
Belonging
Trusted community venues ease anxiety and build resident belonging
Trust
Trust takes time, deepening engagement and creating lasting impact
The ripple effects of Sarah’s role demonstrate its wider social value. Beyond increased physical activity, residents have reported improvements in mental health, confidence, and social connection. Some participants have progressed to performing at Clacton Pride 2025, while SEND organisations and care homes are now requesting sessions after seeing the impact locally. These developments underline how trusted individuals embedded in communities can act as catalysts for broader wellbeing and social cohesion.
Looking ahead, Sarah plans to sustain the momentum by continuing to nurture community relationships, maintain current sessions, and introduce further seated options at Clacton Railway Club, including a new Seated Party Dance session.
As more residents recognise the value of these welcoming and inclusive activities, the approach continues to contribute to Active Essex’s long‑term aim of reducing inactivity through place‑based, community‑driven solutions.
