Young women across Essex who were previously involved in unhealthy relationships and criminal activity are astonishing their families and educators by transforming their lives for the better. The remarkable turnaround is credited to an innovative programme that uses sport and physical activity to build resilience and self-esteem.
A Programme Born from Necessity
The Active Essex Foundation launched its Sports and Youth Crime Prevention programme to reduce young people's vulnerability to exploitation and criminal behaviour. One of its flagship projects, Girls Inspired, emerged last year in response to growing concerns about female youth violence, exploitation and plummeting self-esteem among young women.
Targeting girls aged 11 to 24, the comprehensive programme combines sports and physical activity with mental health support, emotional wellbeing guidance, mentoring, life skills development and leadership opportunities. Participants can even achieve ASDAN accreditations and first aid certificates as part of their journey.
So far, young women in Thurrock, Harlow, Basildon, Clacton, Walton and Colchester have benefited from exploring 21 different subjects within Girls Inspired, including violence against women and girls, exploitation, youth criminality and social skills development.
Remarkable Transformations Witnessed
In Colchester, an 18-month pilot project received funding from Colchester City Council through the PFCC Safer Streets initiative, specifically targeting 13 to 16-year-old girls in selected secondary schools.
Mary Gipson, deputy lead of Provision 360, an alternative provision for students at St Helena School and Paxman Academy in Colchester, expressed her amazement at watching the most vulnerable girls in her community completely transform their lives.
"I got in touch with Active Essex Foundation as we had a cohort of girls who were finding learning in the classroom very difficult, not engaging with teachers, and were experiencing social anxiety outside of school," Mrs Gipson explained. "Within 30 minutes of the course starting, the girls who had struggled to work together were showing a high interest."
The initial group of 12 Year 10 and 11 students formed the first cohort for Girls Inspired in 2023, with another eight girls beginning the 12-week course this month. Their activities included boxercise and circuit training, while they learned about healthy relationships, the consequences of bullying, and the long-term impact of criminal behaviour on their futures.
The programme's impact extended far beyond the sessions themselves, with participants beginning to make healthier food choices and building positive relationships with their families - eating together and establishing sensible bedtimes.
Life-Changing Outcomes
The commitment shown by participants was extraordinary. One student, who had refused to attend school for several months, achieved an attendance rate of more than 95% for the Girls Inspired course.
"It was just amazing to see the girls suddenly gel together; to have the ability to work together as a team," Mrs Gipson shared, noting that she herself lost four stone by following the programme's healthy living lessons. "It gave them lasting confidence and had a positive impact on their whole lives."
The transformations were both physical and behavioural. Girls began eating breakfast and swapping nightly chips for pasta and salads. Those who never visited gyms became committed to fitness and getting in shape. When facing challenges, they would request yoga mats to meditate.
"I can honestly say, four of those girls, in particular, would not be in education now because of what they were getting up to in the community if it were not for Girls Inspired," Mrs Gipson revealed. "Some were putting themselves in grave danger, sexually, taking drugs and drinking alcohol. Instead, all of those girls are now in further education."
Within weeks, parents began contacting the school to inquire what had brought about such positive changes in their daughters.
One mother, whose daughter is now 16 and attends Colchester Institute after completing Girls Inspired in Year 10, said: "Life before Girls Inspired was very difficult as my daughter struggles in a school environment. She also struggles with sitting still due to autism and ADHD. Attending Girls Inspired meant she was out of a classroom, doing different activities that she loved."
Another parent shared: "My daughter was a very lost soul, very easily influenced and lacked understanding of boundaries. My fears were for her to not understand herself and friendships and potentially end up in an abusive situation. She changed within herself by finding her own voice and learning boundaries."
Expanding Reach Across Essex
Councillor Louise McKinlay, deputy leader of Essex County Council, emphasised the programme's significance: "The Girls Inspired programme is having a huge impact within Essex communities, building confidence and resilience. This initiative is creating a safe space for young girls to dream big, rise above challenges and increase the opportunities available to them."
Suzanne Page, sport and youth crime prevention project manager, explained the programme's unique approach: "Girls Inspired demonstrates the power of early, gender-informed intervention. Research tells us any type of physical activity blended with mentoring, life skills and work opportunities has a far greater output than sitting and talking to young people about their challenges."
The programme supports both perpetrators of crime and those vulnerable to becoming victims of criminality or exploitation. "Those girls are going under the radar," Ms Page noted. "They are turning up at sexual health and abortion clinics, but not being identified as being victims of exploitation."
Girls Inspired receives funding from the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and offers progression routes through other Active Essex Foundation programmes, including BoxSmart, SportSmart, Move With Us Youth Leaders Awards, mentoring and further qualifications or community leadership roles.
A new initiative, Under the Radar, has also been launched in partnership with Essex Police, Essex and Thurrock public health and other agencies in Basildon and Thurrock - areas with high gang activity - to support girls involved in County Lines and gang exploitation.
With hopes for further funding, organisers aim to expand Girls Inspired across more Essex communities, building on its proven success in transforming young lives and creating brighter futures.
