Fitter Futures | Extended Schools

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Spanglefish Gold Status Expired 27/07/2010.

Case Studies ........

To provide much needed facilities and opportunities for Women in mid-life and beyond to improve their health and well being across the district.
To offer a wide variety of sports and a range of activities/experiences for all members to enjoy on a regular basis.
To promote a fully inclusive and safe environment, offering support and information.

Community Development Officer (CDO) – lead organiser and runs sessions.
Extended Schools – the group meets and uses school equipment and facilities on Monday evenings on a weekly basis.
South East Essex PCT especially Community Health Worker – helped to firm up ideas following initial research, endorsed project and helped with promotion.
Local Coaches / Instructors - help deliver sessions and promote other activities that participants can get involved in outside of the project.

One initial task of the CDO’s role was to encourage women and girls to take part in sports and activity.
Public consultation held by CDO and Extended Schools identified lack of appropriate activities for women in this age group.

Many younger women were members of sport or health clubs but those within midlife found it hard to get started or difficult to find the activity that was right for them.
Local groups such as CISCA House and Help the Aged offered activities suitable for over 60’s (although many of their attendees were actually over 70)
The local leisure centre offered several sessions for over 50's but these too were mostly attended by people aged 60+ and were also all during the daytime.

Monday evenings 7 – 8.30 including time for refreshments (provided free)
Charge of £1.50 per participant, per session
Variety of sports and activities (not all are physical activity)
Tai Chi, Line Dancing, Badminton, Table Tennis, Evening Walks, Trampolining, Boxercise, Circuits
Art sessions, jewellery making, reflexology demonstration
Health talks from professionals on cholesterol, diets, diabeties, effects of smoking and the importance of a healthy lifestyle
People encouraged to work hard but to their own ability with no pressure
Women only – they are attracted to more casual, social elements of the club plus this allows the women to feel more comfortable and less inhibited
Positive feedback about variety and friendliness – women feel comfortable to turn up on their own and make friends

Women generally 40 – 65yrs
Over 3 years around 60 individual women have taken part – mostly from Canvey Island
Currently on a regular basis 12 – 16 women participate with a further 8 attending on an ad-hoc basis
A mixture of people still in full time or part time employment and those who are retired

Big Lottery funded Community Development Officers 1^st year (this group forms part of her work activities)
School do not officially charge for facility hire – a key help especially when initial numbers were low
£1200 secured from County Sports Development to widen activity choices, provide mini bus hire for specific outings and subsidise an outward bound adventure day which was planned for November 07

Enthusiastic facilitator (in this case the CDO herself)
Continuity and regular contact to help sustain the group
Good network of leaders and instructors to bring variety to the sessions
Good school facilities – lots of equipment available for use (balls, rackets etc) plus large sports hall with separate area for refreshments
Refreshments are a key element for improving social cohesion
Low charge represents excellent value for money and not all participants have a hight disposable income.

Need to be persistent despite likely low numbers at the start
Promote via local newspapers, community venues and groups
Must remember to respond to the needs of the group and not make assumptions about what activities they would like to do.

Page Last Updated - 07/01/2008