Active Essex Foundation invited partners and organisations to consolidate learnings about the power of sport. The conference was additionally a chance to inspire new approaches and ways of thinking when using physical activity for youth intervention.
Keynote speakers had the opportunity to address the delegates with additional knowledge regarding the power of sport in their various fields. Roger Hirst the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Caleb Jackson from YEF, Graham Helm from StreetGames, ATF colleagues and Lewis Richardson each gave unique speeches that aimed to provoke new thoughts and outlooks.
Graham Helm, from StreetGames, offered some crucial insight when he said;
“The sector on its own can’t fix the problems of youth crime. Magic happens through system change of implementation and actions within every sector.”
Lewis Richardson told his story of hard work and perseverance that detailed his journey to the Paris Olympics. Bringing back a bronze medal after flying the flag for both county and country will hopefully inspire the next generation to pursue their passion.
Key to his message was the transferable life skills he has gained from boxing that has shaped his future and his outlook on life. This was further developed with projects expanding on their work embedding life skills and mentoring into delivery.
Inside the various workshops taking place around Colchester United Community Stadium, were conversations ranging from knife crime to creative ways of recording impact. Inspiring new ways of engaging with young people was key to the day. Successful interventions that organisations could share on the day offer learnings that attendees could replicate.
Unique to this conference was the chance to hear youth voices who were passionate about sharing their personal positive experiences with mentoring and physical activity.
Changing Lives placed young people at the forefront of their delivery on the day and one of their young people responded to an audience question saying;
“When I started doing the boxing it changed my life and helped me out a lot. Before boxing I was kicked out of school and I didn’t feel myself but Changing Lives has made me a better person and I’m closer to going back to mainstream school.”
Catalysts such as this conference should in turn spark developments in youth intervention and motivate deliverers and organisations to evaluate how physical activity, mentoring and support can be used in unison.
