Project description
Exploring new ways of achieving sustainable healthy living and sporting interests in the heart of rural communities. Offering opportunities to develop health and fitness via the outreach fitness and Pre-Pedal sessions and creative opportunities in rural Conwy.
What will the project achieve?
The project will achieve sustainable healthy living and sporting interests. Better use of the community halls and promote local business through accessing local people to run the sessions through the medium of Welsh, provide much needed income to local community centres and also provide affordable and sustainable healthy services to the rural community.
Who are the project beneficiaries?
All. Young people, adults, older people and children (under 5 years and their families) will benefit from this project with an emphasis on engaging the groups together where possible at the same time.
What was the result of your project?
The scheme encouraged more people to become active by removing barriers such as travelling and unfamiliar surroundings. Engagement in physical activity by the rural population in Conwy has risen year on year since 2009. The scheme has a personal feel to it because local communities help to shape the type of activities offered, and provides a local choice for people at an affordable price. The fitness classes are now enjoyed by over 400 people a week (23 hours of community provision each week). The whole project has become self-sustaining; providing local jobs with an emphasis on Welsh speaking instructors and an extra income for rural community centres and schools.
What were the biggest challenges and/or lessons learnt for your project?
In order to make this project even more successful further funding is required and the development of welsh speaking coaches/instructors must be a key priority. However, a number of instructors that spoke little welsh have found this project to be beneficial at improving their own welsh language skills through the assistance of the local children and schools. Both have been benefiting from each other’s language at a front line level.
What’s next for your project?
The project has now become sustainable through charging for sessions, £4.20 for the leisure activities and £2 for BalanceBike sessions, which are delivered as part of the Leisure offer for the county.