At Active Essex, we believe that every Essex child should have the best start so they can lead a healthy, active, happy and resilient life. Disabled children and disabled young people face additional barriers to overcome to be regularly active and we know that four in five disabled people want to be more active than they already are. We work with system partners to overcome challenges, create new opportunities and enable children with additional needs to be active across Greater Essex. Below are some useful links and support available for families and children with disabilities that can help find your active.
The Activity Alliance a the national charity and leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity. Their website hosts research, resources, advice and training opportunities to support children with disabilities into sport and physical activity. You can read here how we have worked with the Activity Alliance to upskill the workforce delivering the Essex Activate programme.
The Essex All Together is an Active Essex campaign for people living with a disability or long-term health condition (be that visible or invisible). The campaign is about showcasing how physical activity and sport can really help change and impact the lives and others in the community, living with similar disabilities and/or health conditions.
The Essex Activate programme provides delivers a school holiday activity and food programme for families across the county, who need a bit of extra support. The offer includes a number of clubs across Essex that are dedicated to those with additional needs.
The Multi Schools Council gives Essex children a voice by running awareness sessions in schools, and tackling issues that children tell us are important to them. The Multi Schools Council and Ambassadors are prioritising being active and we proud to be working alongside them to help more children with disabilities in Essex do just that. We work with the Multi Schools Council to tackle issues that young people tell us are important, such as inclusive opportunities to be active over the school holidays and chances to compete in sports against other schools. To find out more information or to become an ambassador like Charlie, who persuaded us to fund and run an annual Special School Games enabling thousands of young people to be involved, you can contact them here: mschoolscouncil@gmail.com.
The Essex Local Offer provides information about support services and local opportunities for children and young people with SEND – find what you need all in one place.
The Short Breaks website has a list of local accessible activity and sport clubs available to children and young people across the county
Active Essex hold Together Funding which is available to eligible groups and organisations looking to help children and young people with disabilities into physical activity. Please contact us for more information or if you would like to discuss a project.
