Physical literacy

Return to Fitness: Active Sussex

Having looked at the results from the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation ‘Sweat in the City’ programme Active Sussex  and Inspire Leisure wanted to look at how they could support people who want to return to fitness but for various reasons find leisure centres and fitness classes a daunting place to visit.

Overview

To support women to return to fitness and to discover positive power of exercise.

Project detailsProject duration: 25 January 2010 - 29 March 2010
Organisation: 
Active Sussex and Inspire Leisure
Project name: 
Return to Fitness
AudienceAll women
Age group: 
0 - 15
Age group: 
16 - 24
Age group: 
25 - 40
Age group: 
41+
Innovation
This was a new approach for Active Sussex. They had tried Back to Netball and similar programmes, but the variety of activities and a consistant mentor for participants was new.
Recruitment and promotion
Recruitment was done through the local employers and press releases were issued.
Location
Local
How was your project delivered?A variety of activities
Funding
The project was funded by Inspire Leisure and Active Sussex through the Active & Healthy Workplace Inititative, plus the participants were charged £20 for the 10 week course.
Partnership
Inspire Leisure, Active Sussex’s Active & Healthy Workplace Initiative, Littlehampton Town Council, Littlehampton Gazette
Results
Evaluation: 
Evaluation • Participants completed pre and post course questionnaires on each participant and analyse • Participants complete pre and post fitness test (step test and resting heart rate) • Offer those attending an incentive to carry on visiting the Leisure Centre for physical activity. E.g. 12 for 10 cards, free gym induction etc The programme was a huge success: 100% of particpants increased their activity levels 70% improved their resting heart rate 100% continued to particpant and took advantage of the incentives The programme ran was really well received and more courses are planned using the same format.
Themes

For more information telephone Active Sussex on 01273 643869, or e-mail on link below.

Key links: 
www.inspireleisure.co.uk
www.activesussex.org
[email protected]

Back to Netball - Mid Sussex

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Case_Study_offline_template_Back_to_Netball_PDF.pdf

Following the overwhelming success of four Back to Netball sessions run in partnership with Mid Sussex District Council and Freedom Leisure, a need for competitive adult opportunities in the area was identified. Nine months following the initial Back to Netball session, a league began.

Project detailsProject duration: 01 September 2008 - ongoing
Organisation: 
England Netball
Project name: 
Back to Netball
AudienceAll women
Age group: 
16 - 24
Age group: 
25 - 40
Age group: 
41+
Innovation
Prior to the Back to Netball programme, the majority of the participants failed to participate in any sport. In the space of a year, the participants were now training and competing on a weekly basis.
Recruitment and promotion
Back to Netball sessions were promoted in local publications, through the local junior club and posters were put up in places that women may congregate. Participants from those sessions were encouraged to form teams and recruited to the league through their nominated captains.
Location
Rural
How was your project delivered?Netball
Funding
The project was kick started with an £8,000 grant from Sport England Small Grants, however, through subs and league fees, is now self funding.
Partnership
Initial Back to Netball sessions were implemented by the Sussex Netball Development Officer (NDO), in partnership with the programming team from Freedom Leisure and Mid Sussex District Council. The Sussex County Committee supported the project through committee member time.
Results
Lessons: 
The league has sustained Back to Netball participants and has grown to accommodate a further two teams. Two participants have recently gone on to complete the UKCC Level 1 Coaching certificate and one participant has recently passed her C umpiring award and has implemented an umpire mentoring scheme. There is now a netball infrastructure in an area where until a year ago there was no opportunity for adult netball.
Evaluation: 
The committee were relatively new to the sport, and needed more support than was expected. The NDO and local Sport Development Unit were able to support, particularly in terms of submitting a funding bid. Back to Netball is very successful in engaging women that otherwise would not participate in competitive sport. By ensuring that the gentle reintroduction message is communicated, other sports could run similar projects. Working in close partnership with local authorities and keeping communication lines open with all partners is imperative.
Themes

Opening up access to facilities

Previously, facility use was dominated by male 5-a-side football and 'pay and play' badminton.  In an equality usage review, this was identified and now time, both indoor and outdoor, is dedicated to female groups.

Growing and sustaining participation

Initially Back to Netball sessions were run to increase participation and across the four sites, over 100 women were introduced to the sport. By starting a competitive league this has not only sustained activity but many of the women continue to train, so has increased overall levels of activity.

Workforce development

A number of the participants have gone on to complete coaching and officiating qualifications which were funded through the Sport England Small Grant.  The County Committee have also provided mentoring to increase the standards of umpiring.  Six participants have formed a committee and oversee all aspects of the general running of the league, including management of finances and umpiring and training. 

Promotion,  Marketing and raising the profile

The league has been featured in the local newspaper on a number of occasions and the group have also set up a Facebook group to communicate with participants. 

Rebranding and revisioning sport

The initial Back to Netball sessions were branded as a gentle introduction to the sport, in a fun and social environment.  With the introduction of the league, it has quickly become more competitive.

Targeting confidence and self-esteem issues

Many of the participants were very nervous prior to the initial Back to Netball sessions and going into competitive fixtures.  The back to basics nature of Back to Netball very much addresses the perceived psychological barriers some participants may use as a barrier to participation.  A number of the ladies commented how they couldn’t believe that they were playing netball again, after not participating for twenty years.    

Health and wellbeing

Weight loss has been noted as an outcome of the league.  Many of the participants previously did no physical activity, prior to their participation in the Back to Netball sessions

Key links: 
Netball England

Physical activity and mothers

In 2005, the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation commissioned Opinion Leader Research (OLR) to carry out a study into socially excluded mothers with young children to enhance the understanding of the barriers that these women face and possible solutions.

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FACTSHEET_mums05.pdf

Bollywood Dancing in Schools

We wanted to engage girls who were largely inactive within the curricular PE programme and extra-curricular activities. 

The target audience of girls were from an ethnic minority background where sport was not seen as a priority by them or their families.  These girls did the minimum of work in PE classes and although they were never disruptive, they were not getting anything out of the programmes that were on offer.  The majority of these girls rarely interacted with any of the teaching staff.

Project detailsProject duration: 02 March 2009 - ongoing
Organisation: 
Woodfarm High School
Project name: 
Bollywood Dance Classes
AudienceBME
Age group: 
0 - 15
Innovation
The Bollywood Dance programme was offered to a group of inactive girls from an ethnic minority background. Offering dance as an activity really engaged them as a group and changed their perceptions of sport from the traditional sense of football and hockey, and gave the girls some physical activity that they really enjoyed. We put a lot of effort into the timing of the classes to ensure maximum attendance.
Location
Local
How was your project delivered?Dance
Partnership
We worked with parents and external choreographers to deliver the Bollywood Dance programme.
Results
Evaluation: 
30 girls have attended the initial after-school Bollywood dance club. 95% of these girls are from an ethnic minority background. The girls have now grown in confidence and the choreography is led by a fellow group member. The girls have performed at the National PE Conference in Stirling. They were very enthusiastic about performing in front of other people as it is something which was very important within their own culture and community. The girls took great pride at getting ready for their performance in costumes and jewellery. For this group of girls, PE is now seen as a place where they can have relationships with the PR teachers. As a result their self-esteem has increased and they now have found an environment in which they can feel confident about taking part in physical activity. The girls now feel they are contributing to the PE department and to the ethos of the school by bringing their culture and experiences into school life. “We like the chance to show others the different kinds of things WE do outside of school. Sometimes people don’t know what our lives are like.” Student
Themes

Growing participation

Working with hard to reach groups

The Bollywood Dance group has offered a physical activity option for a group of girls who would not have been involved before.  Taking the time to think about the girls' needs - especially in relation to cultural issues - has been the biggest asset of the dance group idea. 

Confidence and self esteem

Before the Bollywood Dance programme began, the inactive group of girls did not participate in PE classes. Giving this group the option of Bollywood Dance has given them body confidence and self esteem - especially in PE classes.  They were also invited to perform at a National PE Conference in Stirling and participated in a the Festival of Bollywood Art which further helped their confidence and self esteem. 

Key links: 
Woodfarm High School
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