Why did we do this?

The parents, guardians and carers of young children often experience pressures and life changes relating to raising a young child, such as having less time to socialise, less disposable income or leaving work on a temporary or permanent basis. This can leave them feeling lonely, or socially isolated.

Social isolation, or the fear of it, is a notable concern for parents, guardians and carers in Essex, regardless of their background, and can affect their personal, professional and social experiences. It also affects their confidence, leaving them feeling less able or willing to access the support available to them. In Essex, the County Council recognised that these concerns and experiences are not always best addressed by traditional council services.

What did we do?

We partnered with Essex County Council to deliver a challenge prize worth £10,000, designed to find great ideas, projects and solutions from Essex that involved local families with young children (0-5 years) in opportunities that enrich their lives. Ideas submitted to the Families Included Prize related to any aspect of life including personal, professional and social experiences.

The background

The Families Included Prize was the first time a challenge prize had been run by a council in the UK. Essex County Council worked with Nesta to develop and deliver this exciting new way for the Council to engage local communities, as well as discover and support great solutions.

Read more about the prize, finalists and winning ideas.