Further news

They walked, ran, and cycled a staggering 35,166 miles, tapping special fobs and cards on the beat boxes located around Harwich, Dovercourt, and Parkeston to score points.

Players working as individuals or teams also had the chance to unlock lucky boxes to win prizes, and on December 2, 2021 the top scorers were honoured at an awards ceremony.

Beat the Street was funded by an Active Essex pilot project testing ways to encourage residents to be more active and reduce the pressure on the NHS.

With CVST’s Beat the Street co-ordinator Becky at the helm, the scheme, which was a partnership comprising Tendring District Council and CVST with support from Intelligent Health and Sport England, has been hailed a success.

Top Tappers Awarded for Beat the Street Success

THE top scorers in the first Beat the Street community initiative have been awarded trophies, prizes and certificates for their beat box tapping success.

Thousands of people signed up to take part in Beat the Street in Harwich, which ran for five weeks from September.

They walked, ran, and cycled a staggering 35,166 miles, tapping special fobs and cards on the beat boxes located around Harwich, Dovercourt, and Parkeston to score points.

Players working as individuals or teams also had the chance to unlock lucky boxes to win prizes, and on Thursday **dec 2** the top scorers were honoured at an awards ceremony.

Hosted at Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST) Harwich Hub, in High Street, Dovercourt, the winners of each category were presented with a trophy and certificate by Harwich Mayor Ivan Henderson.

Becky Dowling, physical activity capacity building officer at CVST, said: “It was lovely to see the winners celebrated for their hard work.

“Beat the Street has been a huge success in getting residents out exercising and enjoying the place they live and work.

“It’s been a pleasure to be a part of such a great initiative and meet so many wonderful people as they took part.”

Beat the Street was funded by an Active Essex pilot project testing ways to encourage residents to be more active and reduce the pressure on the NHS.

Cheryl Lomas, local physical activity pilot co-ordinator for Active Essex, said: “Beat the Street has been such a fun way to increase physical and mental health for the community of Harwich and Dovercourt.

“I was extremely proud to see community members of all ages taking part tapping the beat boxes, getting outdoors, connecting with other community members and most of all having a brilliant time whist getting active.”

Cllr Lynda McWilliams, Tendring District Council cabinet member for partnerships, said: “Beat the Street in Harwich was a resounding success, helping to get all ages in the community active in a fun way, and in doing so not only improving their health but also bringing people together.

“I look forward to working with our partners at CVST and the wider Active Essex Local Delivery Pilot to build on this and look at potentially widening the initiative to other areas.” For more information about Beat the Street visit www.beatthestreet.me/harwichdovercourt.

Dancing for Joy at New Grant!

Jaywick Seated Dance is celebrating after being awarded a grant to fund the group for a whole year.

Run by Community Voluntary Services Tendring, the class started in August 2019 as a taster session during a weight loss group.

It was so popular the attendees asked for it to become a weekly class.

With funding from Active Essex the dance class was financially supported until December 2021.

Now, a grant of £1,000 has been awarded to Jaywick Seated Dance from the Jaywick Sands Community Forum, which will allow it to continue through to December 2022.

Caroline Szabo, community development officer at CVS Tendring, welcomed the funding.

She said: “It’s great news we have funding to carry on this popular seated dance class for another year.

“It really helps residents who are unable to take part in more strenuous physical exercise to have fun while improving their overall fitness.

“Dance is a great way to keep fit and just because you can’t jump and twirl around the room doesn’t mean you should miss out.”

Jaywick Seated Dance is run by a qualified instructor and the latest funding will cover the costs from January to December 2022.

It means the sessions can run with just a £1 donation from attendees, which helps towards the hall rent.

Bradley Thompson, vice-chairman of the Jaywick Sands Community Forum, said: “Active Essex gave us a pot of money to hand out so we would be able to support groups and organisations like Jaywick Seated Dance.

“With continued support from Active Essex, Jaywick Sands Community Forum are able to offer grants to help keep local residents and groups active in the community.

“It’s a great opportunity for the whole of Jaywick to be able to get involved and get active.”

For more information about Jaywick Seated Dance, held on Fridays at the Jaywick Community Resource Centre in Brooklands Gardens, visit www.cvstendring.org.uk/fun-and-gentle-exercise or call 01255 425692.

Grants Totalling £129,892 Awarded Across Tendring!

VOLUNTARY and community organisations across Tendring have been awarded grants totalling £129,892.

Working in partnership with GP Primary Choice and North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, CVS Tendring, on behalf of Tendring Together, has announced grants to 21 organisations.

Known as the North East Essex Hyperlocal Fund, the money is aimed at supporting the development of local activities that improve the health and wellbeing of residents.

Particular focus is on improving mental health, physical health and physical activity in a bid to reduce loneliness, obesity, suicide and help with the management of long-term conditions.

Mistley Kids Club has been awarded £2,202 towards its new weekend provision offering play and respite for children with additional needs and their parents.

Claire Moss, manager at Mistley Kids Club, said: “This funding is fantastic news for us.

“Our Saturday Club, which launched in October, came about because of there isn’t much provision about for families with children who have additional needs.

“We are doing it once a month from 10am to 4pm for 40 children and it gives the parents time to go and do whatever they want to, knowing their child is safe and having fun.

“The parents really appreciate it, it’s a lifeline for families.

“This funding will help us with the cost of the hall, staffing and resources such as arts and crafts supplies for the children.”

Tendring Stroke Support Services was awarded £10,000 for its work with Colchester and Clacton Hospital neurological teams to support the onward journey for stroke survivors.

Rosemary Garrey, director of operations, said: “This work is vital for people that have had a stroke.

“When someone is discharged from hospital there is no specialist care, physiotherapy services end.

“If you think they are at home with no support – emotional support is also vital and people don’t recognise that.

“But you need well-funded services.

“This grant means we are able to bring that specialist care into what we do.”

Sharon Alexander, chief officer for CVS Tendring, said: “We are delighted to announce this funding, on behalf of Tendring Together.

“These organisations provide incredible support and life-changing services to residents in Tendring, and we are grateful to be part of that by helping them in their work with these grants.”

Almost 4,000 Miles Covered In First Few Days of Beat The Street!

Active residents have taken to the roads of Harwich in their droves as Beat the Street comes to town.

The fun activity sees people collect points by walking, cycling or even skating between various Beat Boxes around the area.

After its launch last week (Wednesday, 29 September) already more than 1,800 people have signed up – and between them covered over 3,800 miles. The figures are for the first days of the activity.

Becky Dowling, Physical Activity Capacity Building Officer at Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST), said it was not too late for more people to sign up.

“Beat the Street is a really fun way to get active, whether as part of a school, an office team or just with your mates – and you could win prizes too,” Becky said.

“To have so many people sign up and get active in the first three days is incredible, and I’d urge everyone to keep going through-out the game.

“With Beat the Street running until early November, and with special events each week, it’s never too late to pick up your card and get connecting with the Beat Boxes.”

Sign up and create your team at www.beatthestreet.me/harwichdovercourt or pick up your activity card from Dovercourt Library, Harwich Homestart, or Morrisons in Parkeston.

Beat Boxes are located throughout Harwich, Dovercourt, Parkeston, Ramsey and Little Oakley. Those who top leader boards will win prizes and players also have the chance to unlock ‘lucky boxes’ too.

In partnership with Tendring District Council (TDC), Beat the Street is funded and delivered by the Active Essex Local Delivery Pilot; a project testing ways to encourage residents to be more active and to improve health outcomes, thus reducing pressure on the NHS at the same time.

CVST is running Beat the Street in Harwich, and Intelligent Health and Sport England are also supporting this fantastic project.