ABOUT US

In 2016, Co-Director David Simmons was working in a primary school in Dagenham where he has approached and threatened by a 6 year old with a knife. Moving away from teaching in London, he met Co-Director Ben Doyle at Kingsmoor Academy in Harlow where they both taught PE.

Due to an influx in crime in Harlow, particularly preying on the youth, they curated Changing Lives Community Services with the aim of reducing youth crime across Harlow. They set up a singular program, using sports and physical activity as a hook to get these young people off the street, mixing in youth mentoring and workshops from local providers such as Essex Police and the NHS.

After many successful years mentoring and promoting positive pathways in Harlow, David set up another Heartbeat Hub in Colchester in 2023, which is now Changing Lives flagship hub and headquarters, which also homes the UK’s first free gym.

David Simmons - Founder

“A life can change in an instant and someone's behaviour can dictate another person's life. “I woke up one morning and decided I wanted to make a difference. Certain situations made me realise more had to be done. Why sit back and just watch it happen? Are we then as bad as those that do bad things if we do nothing at all?”

OUR MISSION

“Our objective is to create social, sporting and work experiences that will install confidence and motivation for children providing them with opportunities and pathways towards a positive future."