Posted 29/01/2021

The BVCT helps to keep kids active at Beechwood

Following a successful application to the Beechwood Village Community Trust (BVCT), a grant of £5,000 was awarded to Southend ATF in August 2020.

ATF is a charity that helps young people to join in with their community and be all that they can be. Their main aims are to increase opportunity, aspiration and achievement as well as positive relationships, enhanced confidence and well-being. Despite facing numerous barriers and ever-changing guidelines a fantastic initial impact has been made on the residents of Basildon.

Between September and October 2020, activity was delivered utilising the local greenspace of Northlands Park. With 40+ children attending each session, the uptake response has exceeded expectation and highlighted a new opportunity for our young people to engage in physical activity.

Throughout October Half Term, Briscoes, a local Primary School opened their doors as a base location for Southend ATF. Each day over 70 children attended and every single child received a free lunch. These sessions at Briscoes continued throughout November and December.

Leading up to the festive period, Christmas food parcels were hand delivered to over 70 families, these included close to 500 lunches, 140 food hampers and 75+ presents. During this 4 day period, the Southend ATF team covered 37 miles on foot, a large amount of these miles were completed whilst dressed as Santa Claus, a Christmas Tree and The Grinch!

Southend ATF are continuing to support the community at this time by providing activity packs for the young people and have arranged for excess food from Tesco to be delivered to families. This will continue throughout the pandemic, guidelines permitting.

Please keep an eye out for future posts highlighting the progress of the collaboration between Swan and Southend ATF. For further information please contact William Oldham, by phone on 07872033403 or by e-mail on woldham@swan.org.uk