Creating Opportunities, Building Confidence and Supporting Carers

Over the past six months, Changing Lives Community Services has continued to make a difference through the Carers Community Fund, supporting 350 carers across Harlow with accessible opportunities designed to improve wellbeing, confidence, social connection and family life.

By building carer opportunities into our existing sports, gym, school, holiday and enrichment programmes, we have been able to offer carers and their families a wider choice of activities while providing valuable respite and reducing barriers to participation.

The impact reaches beyond individual sessions. By supporting young people to build confidence, friendships, independence, volunteering and employment skills, we can also provide parent carers with reassurance, breathing space and greater confidence in their child's future.

One family’s journey demonstrates this perfectly — a young person progressed from social isolation to regular participation, volunteering and developing a pathway towards employment, while his mother gained valuable respite, reduced anxiety and greater optimism about his future.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to developing an inclusive and sustainable offer for carers and their families, while planning carefully for the future of the project beyond the current funding period.

Read our full six-month impact story to discover how the Carers Community Fund is helping us create opportunities and change lives across our community.

Changing Lives Community Services supported 24 young people aged 16–25 across Harlow and Uttlesford through 36 inclusive sports and wellbeing sessions. Discover how physical activity, trusted relationships and flexible pathways are helping young people build confidence, improve wellbeing and take positive next steps.

This summer, our community outdoor gym activation brought local adults and families together in Harlow Town Park to take part in free, accessible fitness sessions in a welcoming outdoor setting. Funded by Sport England and supported by Active Essex and Harlow Council, the programme delivered 20 structured sessions using the park’s outdoor gym equipment.

The sessions supported 28 community members, including adults and children, to become more active, build confidence, and learn how to use the equipment safely. For many participants, the programme provided the encouragement and knowledge to continue using the outdoor gym independently, either on their own or with their families outside of the scheduled sessions.

The project also benefited from referral routes through GP services and Essex Frontline, helping to reach adults with health, wellbeing, and rehabilitation needs. Despite challenges such as hot weather, summer holiday travel, and access barriers for some participants, the programme highlighted the value of free outdoor fitness opportunities and the positive role local green spaces can play in supporting healthier communities.

Harry was first referred to Changing Lives Community Services through the Active Essex Foundation six years ago. Since then, he has grown from a young participant into a positive role model, mentor and emerging leader. Now, as he begins his journey into boxing coaching with us, Harry’s story shows the powerful impact of long-term support, opportunity and belief in young people.

Our Men’s Mental Health Golf Enrichment Day, delivered in partnership with NHS Talking Therapies, gave regular members of our community gym the chance to enjoy a positive change of scenery, take part in physical activity and have informal conversations about mental health and wellbeing. The day helped create clearer referral routes into further support, while reinforcing the importance of connection, movement and accessible support for men in our community

“At first I didn’t think I would be any good at golf, but the coaches helped me keep trying. I feel more confident now and liked having something positive to do in the holidays.” — Young person

“I usually get nervous around new people, but the calm, friendly sessions helped me start talking more and joining in. It helped me feel less on my own.” — Young person

“Laser tag was one of the best enrichment activities because it was so much fun playing out in the field with everyone. It felt exciting and helped us work together as a team.” — Young person

“He has completely changed. He seems like a new person — more confident, more willing to talk, and proud that he has been able to help others.” — Parent/carer

“The coaching training and work experience at the HAF camps helped me see that working in sport could be a real option. It gave me something to aim for and made me more confident about a pathway into employment.” — Young volunteer

“At first I didn’t think I would be any good at golf, but the coaches helped me keep trying. I feel more confident now and I liked having something positive to do in the holidays.” — Young person

“I usually get nervous around new people, but because the sessions were calm and friendly, I started talking more and joining in. It helped me feel less on my own.” — Young person

“He has completely changed. He seems like a new person — more confident, more willing to talk, and proud that he has been able to help others.” — Parent/carer

“The programme gave young people a safe place to go, positive adults to speak to, and a chance to build confidence through something different. We saw young people become more settled, more engaged and more connected as the sessions went on.” — Staff/mentor feedback

Changing Lives Community Services continues to use sport as a powerful tool to support young people across our community. Through football, boxing, gym-based fitness, mentoring, volunteering, and sports coaching, our Quarter 1 programme helped young people build confidence, develop positive routines, improve communication, and access new pathways into training, volunteering, and employment.

With support from the Active Essex Foundation, we have strengthened referral pathways with youth justice, schools, social care, police, parents, and community partners. This quarter, young people engaged in regular sessions, improved their social skills and emotional wellbeing, and took positive steps towards education, employment, and training. Outcomes included young people gaining employment, progressing onto football coaching pathways, completing accredited learning, and volunteering within our community sessions.

The wider impact of this work goes beyond individual sessions. Over the last six years, young people who first came to us through referral pathways have gone on to become valued members of the community, securing jobs, continuing in education or training, and returning to support others as volunteers. This is the ripple effect of consistent, community-based support: young people moving from participation to confidence, responsibility, leadership, and positive futures.

BOXSMART – New Programme Coming September 2026

Bookings are now open for BOXSMART, our new free non-contact boxing, mentoring and personal development programme for young people.

Funded by AEF and Essex County Council, BOXSMART uses boxing-based fitness, group activities and supportive mentoring to help young people build confidence, resilience, discipline, teamwork and positive decision-making.

Participants will also have the opportunity to work towards an ASDAN-accredited qualification, recognising their progress, skills and achievements throughout the programme.

The course starts in September 2026, with limited places available. Book now to secure your place.

Keep your children active, entertained and supported this summer with CLCS holiday activities for children and young people. Our summer programme includes sports and activity camps for ages 4–12, Laser Tag camp days at Kingsmoor Academy, and secondary-age clubs featuring football, golf, boxing, gym sessions, mentoring, life skills and leadership opportunities. Paid places are available to book now, with funded places released in July through the Wonde code system and additional free places for eligible low-income families, supported by Comic Relief funding. For dates, venues and booking information, please visit www.CLCS.org.uk.

At Leventhorpe School, our weekly Sports and life skills intervention is helping young people re-engage with education through sport, practical learning, and positive relationships. By combining activities such as boxing, football, cooking, and nature walks with ASDAN-linked personal development themes, the programme builds confidence, resilience, and essential life skills. The result has been improved attendance, stronger wellbeing, and a lasting impact that has already inspired new community opportunities beyond the school setting.

Our recent HAF Sports and Activity Camp at Passmores was a fantastic success, bringing together children, staff, volunteers, young leaders, and community partners for an engaging and rewarding half term programme. Alongside a wide range of fun activities, the camp also featured accredited CPD delivered by the FA, supporting not only our staff and apprentice coaches, but also volunteers, parents, and work experience students looking to develop their skills and future pathways. With 64 unique attendees taking part, the club made a positive impact on wellbeing, confidence, and community involvement—creating an inclusive holiday experience that went far beyond sport alone.

Half-term programmes are funded by Essex County Council. 50% of funded spaces must be allocated to children on income related free school meals, and 50% are for young people from ‘low-income’ working families, may be vulnerable and/or experience inactivity and social isolation without access to this free support. If you do not fall into eligible category then you can pay £15 for the day. All bookings can be made via our website.

“The quality of provision was consistently high, with a broad and well‑planned curriculum that included arts, sports, and enrichment activities. New activities such as indoor archery and skateboarding were introduced successfully, enabling children to develop new skills and sustain high levels of engagement. Sessions were inclusive and accessible, allowing all children to experience success and enjoyment.”

The AEF BOX Smart Course programme for 2025/26 aimed to deliver meaningful learning experiences, foster positive change, and strengthen community connections. This summary evaluates the overall successes, outcomes achieved, and notable highlights from the final  Quarter of the year.

"Being part of this program has made me feel like I truly belong somewhere. The support and encouragement I’ve received have really boosted my confidence and helped me see a future for myself." Another young person shared, "Joining the football coaching pathway gave me something to look forward to. I never thought I’d have the chance to get work experience or even think about a job in sports, but now I feel like I have real plans and opportunities ahead." Family members have also commented on the positive changes, observing increased motivation and a sense of direction in their children’s lives.

Thanks to The National Lottery Awards for all Award, we have received funding to provide this Boxing Class, PLUS a number of other sessions taking place throughout March 2026 such as Jiu Jitsu, Fitness Classes, Football, Dodgeball and Cricket. These are all bookable for free on our website throughout March 2026

"The AEF Smart course gave me a safe space to express myself and try new things. I now feel much more positive about the future." – Participant, 17 years old

Main Successes of the Winter Holiday Programme

Intended Outcomes Achieved:

• Engagement of Target Audience:
  Successfully reached young people from priority groups, including those on Free School Meals (FSM), vulnerable young people, and individuals on the cusp of or involved in anti-social behaviour (ASB) and youth criminality.

• Learning and Development:
  Delivered the first three ASDAN modules (Understanding Self, Creating Positive Environments, Goal Setting), supporting personal growth and positive behaviour change.

• Employability Skills:
  Provided volunteering opportunities through Essex Activate clubs, helping young people build confidence and workplace skills.