It is central to the Active Essex ethos that physical activity and sport should be open and accessible to everybody. We strongly value diversity and strive to ensure that opportunities are available to all, but do recognise that there are inequalities in participation which affect specific areas of local communities.
Inequalities widened further during and following Covid-19, and this was particularly concerning as the sector had seen the gap in activity levels begin to reduce prior to the pandemic, for some under-represented groups. It has therefore been one of Active Essex’s aims to work collaboratively with partners and organisations to support those most inactive, helping build more resilient, inclusive communities. Sport England’s tackling inequalities fund (TIF) and subsequently the Together Fund, has created the opportunity to support more seldom heard communities facing inequalities in activity levels and health across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock.
To showcase the range of projects that have been supported over the past 2 years, videos have been produced and highlight groups including; Ghana Union in Harlow, Refugee Action in Colchester, Essex Cultural Diversity Project, Chelmsford Hindu Society and Efua Sey.
This week is Race Equality Week, an annual UK-wide movement uniting thousands of organisations and individuals to address the barriers to race equality and provides the opportunity to make it everyone’s business and show actions drive change.
Active Essex is committed to being an anti-racist organisation and has been proactively working to tackle the racial inequalities that prevent or discourage people from leading active lives and enjoying the benefits of sport and physical activity, whether as participants, volunteers or by working in the sector. Active Essex were early adopters of the Race Equality Code and work in this area continues.
Read more about the Race Code here.
