The Norman Garon Trust has published its 2025 Impact Report, celebrating a year of significant community investment, partnership and positive change across Southend-on-Sea. The report highlights how the Trust continues to respond to deep-rooted inequality and rising cost-of-living pressures by reinvesting locally and supporting initiatives that strengthen health, wellbeing and opportunity.

Southend-on-Sea is a vibrant coastal city, but one facing stark challenges. Nine neighbourhoods are among the 10% most deprived nationally, around 21% of working-age residents are economically inactive, and life expectancy can differ by almost a decade between the wealthiest and poorest wards. Against this backdrop, demand for support with food, energy and essential living costs has increased sharply. The Trust’s mission remains clear: to create a stronger, healthier Southend by enhancing community life through sport, wellbeing and charitable action.

At the heart of the Trust’s model is Garon Park, a dedicated health and wellbeing destination that serves both as a community hub and a sustainable engine for social impact. Income generated through sport, leisure and community use is reinvested directly back into Southend, ensuring that every visit contributes to funding local charities and grassroots groups delivering measurable change.

In 2025, the Norman Garon Trust distributed £392,464 across three funding rounds, supporting 15 local charities and community organisations. Funding focused on four core areas: Mental Health and Family Support, Inclusion and Accessibility, Creativity, Sport and Youth Development, and Safety and Wellbeing. Supported organisations included Chaos & Calm, MIND, Able Kidz, Just Ride Southend, Friends and Places Together, Southend United Community Foundation, Platform Theatre Arts and Unpuzzled Theatre Company, Community Safety Education, Little Heroes and Narcanon Drug Support. Since its founding in 1982, the Trust has invested more than £2.5 million into the local community.

Commenting on the report, CEO Karl Hepple said the Trust remains committed to supporting young people and community groups in a city where inequality continues to limit opportunity. He emphasised that Garon Park plays a vital role not only in promoting active lifestyles through sport, exercise, nature and community programmes, but also in generating sustainable funding that is reinvested where it is needed most.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Trust plans to broaden its focus around the “Pillars of Community”, recognising that lasting change comes from addressing interconnected needs. This approach aims to go beyond crisis response, supporting the systems, relationships and opportunities that help individuals and communities to thrive.

The 2025 Impact Report reaffirms the Norman Garon Trust’s long-term commitment to Southend-on-Sea and its belief that strong, resilient communities are built through collaboration, investment and shared purpose.