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Case studies - engaging young people

Young people are the most common target group among projects surveyed - and the core target group for the Active Futures programme in Scotland. On the www.bigcsi.com website you will find several case studies on projects working with young people from a range of angles: for instance, a summer scheme for young people with disabilities, a community youth club to offer an alternative to hanging around the streets, a large partnership project promoting health, social and economic inclusion for young people in rural areas. In this newsletter, we highlight two case studies. The first focuses on a project that is helping young women, often with children, to build their confidence and health and become qualified physical activity leaders. The second engages a whole rural community in non-sporty physical activities and getting involved in the community.

Stirling Girlzone - Stirling, Scotland

Stirling, in central Scotland, has several regeneration areas with many young mothers who are in active both physically and economically. With little confidence and no qualifications, their prospects are limited, and without help they are likely to stay inactive.

Stirling Girlzone set out to change this situation in six regeneration areas. Addressing past barriers of unattractive facilities, low motivation and high charges to use the facilities, it offers free courses in a nicer environment with qualified, supportive leaders to boost confidence, and childcare for those who need it. Not only does the project aim to involve engage the young women in physical activity, it includes the opportunity to train as qualified activity instructors. This means employment opportunities for participants and local capacity building to deliver physical activity for other young women in the areas.

The project has attracted their target of 90 participants across the six areas, and the girls have stayed with the course - a very different result from previous efforts in the area. The supportive, social atmosphere has boosted their confidence, motivation and mental health, and they are keen to stay involved.

The sustained interest of the participants is backed by the supportive partnership behind the project - the Council, NHS Health Promotion, and the local healthy living centre. The project is part of the local Joint Health Improvement Plan, in which all the partners have a delivery role. The healthy living centre provides a venue and delivers some of the classes, the Council delivers other classes, and the NHS runs health fairs and provides support for a year after the funding finishes, as well as guidance documents for participants taking the teaching qualifications.

The project was still at a relatively early stage at the time of the case study interview, but already it was having an impact on well being and starting to change participants' lives.

To read the full case study on the website, click here.

Developing Our Community Through Promoting Our Health - Derrynoose, NI

Derrynoose is a village in a very rural part of South Armagh. Its only opportunities for physical activity were Gaelic sports, but many children did not feel "sporty" and many mothers only provided transport to activities without having anything to join themselves.

The Derrynoose Community Development Association set out to change this with their Active Lifestyles project. Using their Lottery-funded sports hall and access to the hall in the primary school next door, they are now offering a range of non-sporty activities to a keen audience of different ages.

The project only got started in January, with a "fair" to test demand for different activities and then the launch of their winter-spring programme. Children do yoga at after school club, mums get away from it all at Fighting Fit class, and dancing - from Irish to salsa to line dancing - appeals to everyone. Attendances have grown instead of fallen in the first few weeks, as people bring their friends along. This is a clear case of tapping an unmet demand.

The project is not only about getting people healthier and fitter, it's about giving everyone an opportunity to get involved and do something just for themselves. This includes "unsporty" kids, mums who stay at home with their kids and feel isolated, empty nesters with less purpose in life now, and people who have just moved to the area. It's all about wellbeing - physical and social.

Using the links to the primary school and potentially to the church, the project is weaving together the core of the village and inviting everyone to take part.

To read more in the full case study, click here.

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