Funded by the South East Essex Health Inequalities Fund, this innovative initiative will support families in the most deprived wards through nature-based activities, creative health interventions, and tailored support.

Home-Start Essex is delighted to announce new funding from the South East Essex Health Inequalities Fund to launch Coast to Calm, a pioneering wellbeing programme designed to tackle health inequalities and improve mental and physical wellbeing for families across Southend, Rochford, and Castle Point.

Running from January to October 2026, Coast to Calm offers a holistic approach to health by combining the proven benefits of creativity, nature, and community connection. The programme is aimed at parents and children experiencing significant health inequalities and will provide 10 weeks of tailored support, alongside additional initiatives such as the Behaviour Support Programme (6 weeks) and Family Fitness & Fun (18 weeks).

Targeting Areas of Greatest Need

Delivery will focus on wards ranked within the 10% and 20% most deprived nationally, ensuring support reaches those most in need. This includes Canvey Island South, Central and Winter Gardens in Castle Point; Rochford North and Rural; and in Southend the wards of Chalkwell, Kursaal, Milton, Shoeburyness, Southchurch, St Luke’s, Victoria and West Shoebury.

Families engaged will include parents and children under five who face multiple and overlapping challenges, such as:

• Lone parenting, which significantly increases stress, isolation, and financial strain. In the 2011 Census, Castle Point ranked third nationally for the proportion of lone parent families with children (around 7.6%).
• Financial hardship and debt: In 2024/25, 39% of families we supported were in this position, and 26% regularly relied on foodbanks.
• Poor mental health: In 2024/25, 67% of supported families reported a mental health condition.
• Domestic abuse: 32% of families supported in 2024/25 had experienced domestic abuse.
• Insecure housing and unemployment: 32% of families had no adults in work.
• Lone parent households: 47% of families supported in 2024/25 were lone parents.

Nature-Based Activities and Expert Partnerships

Delivered in partnership with Beach School Explorers and Bird Aware Essex Coast, Coast to Calm will feature coastal activities such as water play and sand walking, promoting cardiovascular and muscular health while reducing stress and improving mental wellbeing.

To ensure robust evaluation, we are working with the University of Essex and Health Service Evaluation Services at the Institute of Public Health & Wellbeing, who will develop a methodology to measure the impact of nature-based interventions on mental health and overall wellbeing.

What Families Can Expect

Coast to Calm blends regular group activities with one-to-one support for those at highest risk, creating safe and inspiring spaces for families to:

• Build resilience and practical tools for self-care, anxiety management, and emotional regulation
• Improve communication and family relationships
• Learn about the link between nutrition and mental health
• Increase participation in physical activity to reduce obesity and lifestyle-related health risks
• Engage proactively with healthcare services, including booking GP and dental appointments early

Rooted in the Creative Health Agenda and Nature and Health Agenda (Natural England), this programme addresses mental, physical, and social wellbeing in an integrated way.

How to Get Involved

Families living in Southend, Rochford, or Castle Point can register by completing our Self-Referral Form.

Professionals wishing to refer families can use our Professional Referral Form.

For more information, please contact us at info@home-startessex.org.uk or call 01245 847410.