Active Essex and the Essex Local Delivery Pilot have agreed to support ParkPlay in Essex through to spring 2025, to help improve people’s physical and mental health, by bringing communities together.

ParkPlay started in Essex in Spring 2021 to encourage everyone to be more active outdoors. Since then, and with the support of Sport England, ParkPlay has successfully launched 16 ParkPlays in Essex, out of 43 nationwide. ParkPlay brings communities together in parks and open spaces for two hours of free, informal games and activity, every Saturday morning. Run by and for the local community, every ParkPlay offers people of all ages and abilities the chance to play together and connect in a relaxed, safe and welcoming setting.

Jay, PlayLeader at Eversley ParkPlay in Basildon, says:

“ParkPlay has given my community something to be proud of and an excuse to be free, enjoy games and talk about their lives. What is paramount for me and the ParkPlay families is being able to get to trust one another by building rapport and becoming a family. Active Essex’s support is helping to build happier, healthier communities and utilise our green spaces in Basildon. It’s great that more communities across the county will also be able to enjoy and benefit from ParkPlay.”

ParkPlay is supporting Active Essex’s vision to create an active Essex to improve everyone’s health and wellbeing, working together to make movement a part of everyday life. As well as the existing ParkPlays in Basildon, Colchester and Tendring, ParkPlay will continue to expand with Active Essex’s support in these areas and in other parts of the county.

Juliette Raison, Active Essex Lead for Active Environments commented:

“It’s fantastic that ParkPlay is taking Essex by storm. We’ve seen some fantastic organisations lead this initiative in their local community, ensuring we utilise the green spaces available in the county. Essex residents can join in new opportunities no matter their ability to socialise, and get moving together as a family, all for no cost! This has been particularly fundamental during the cost-of-living crisis, to ensure residents are still able to get active, for positive mental wellbeing.”

ParkPlay CEO Rick Jenner says:

“As we recover from Covid and now face the cost of living crisis it’s never been more important to give communities in Essex free ways to connect and boost their wellbeing. We’re very proud to call Essex the home of ParkPlay, and this partnership will help support the great things local people are doing for their communities and allow us to take ParkPlay to even more places across the county.”

🤸 To find your nearest ParkPlay or to help ParkPlay grow visit www.park-play.com #community #MeetMovePlay

ParkPlay started at Vange Primary School in Basildon in April 2021 and has rolled out across seven regions to date – Essex, West London, Cornwall, Leeds, County Durham, Cumbria and Leicestershire and Rutland. Thousands of people have come to ParkPlay in Essex and ParkPlay’s ambition is to change lives and strengthen communities in 450 locations nationwide by 2026. In Essex ParkPlay work closely with Essex-based charity Achieve Thrive Flourish, who since 2012 have been working with communities to provide a safe environment, increased opportunity and enhanced wellbeing.

Active Essex is the Physical Activity and Sport Partnership for Essex, Southend and Thurrock – one of 43 Active Partnerships in England who work collaboratively with local partners to ensure the power of physical activity and sport can transform lives.

Find your local ParkPlay

Please visit our ParkPlay Parks page to find your local ParkPlay and come and join us for your ParkPlay session. We play every Saturday morning.