Reconnect

The impact of PEM was independently assessed by the University of Essex and the evaluation of the two-year pilot, which ended in August 2022, provided fundamental findings and key recommendations around system-led opportunities, the hardwiring of physical activity, workforce and impact, which evolved into Reconnect.

As part of the Reconnect service, an evidence-based Occupational Therapy-Led model will be deployed to support people with learning needs and/or disabilities, autism, long-term health conditions, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, as well as their carers. The service will be community-based and will use physical activity as a tool to build and maintain physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The aims of Reconnect are to:

• Use a therapeutic, holistic, whole person approach to enable people to participate in and enjoy physical activity.
• Provide practical support to empower people to facilitate recovery and overcome barriers which prevent them from doing meaningful activities and occupations that matter to them.
• Help people achieve important personal goals, such as making friends, building vocational skills and managing their health.
• Support vulnerable adults to engage in meaningful activities that can promote and enhance occupational performance and transferable skills, which are required for daily activities. This will support people’s independence, wellbeing and satisfaction.
• Connect vulnerable adults with local systems in order to facilitate links and promote reasonable adjustments to existing community engagement provision
• Connect people to resources, leisure activities, personalised activities, Zoom workouts and other opportunities (e.g. community based activities)

The majority of participants typically receive support for up to 12-weeks, with a small percentage needing medium term 24-week support.

The new service is now live and Referrals can be made directly to Sport for Confidence via their online referral system or through the Essex Wellbeing Service.