Supporting young girls to become active

Places Leisure, part of Places for People, has continued its commitment to supporting and creating healthy communities, by partnering with Nuffield Health, Glasgow Active Schools and Bluevale Community Club.

Working together the partners have launched the Move Together Programme at Bluevale Community Club in Reidvale which will support 11 – 16-year-old girls in the Dennistoun area of Glasgow to get moving and become more active. Those on the programme will benefit from using the gym facilities at Bluevale Community Club through the guidance of instructors from Nuffield Health. One of the fitness classes that participants get involved in is the Les Mills Born to Move class which is designed to nurture a life-long love of physical activity, helping children to experience the joy of moving to music.

The Move Together programme allows pupils to attend these gym classes during school hours where they are taught by qualified instructors from the Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing Gym in Milngavie. Paul Sanderson Area Healthy Communities Manager for Places Leisure who have been the driving force behind the partnership explains more, “Working with our community partners to offer these sessions for girls during school hours and outside normal PE lessons, increases accessibility and removes the barriers that may otherwise prevent young girls from getting active, such as time, convenience, and body confidence. We are excited to be able to facilitate this collaborative working between our community partners and believe that this partnership approach and model will open up more opportunities for young people to create lasting positive relationships with health and wellbeing.”

Since the programmes introduction last month almost 40 young girls have already taken part and benefitted from the offering. Gerry Best from Active Schools Glassgow comments, “With a real This Girl Can attitude it’s been fantastic to see these young girls putting in the work and pushing the boundaries, enhancing not only their fitness levels but also their confidence. This partnership offers them an opportunity to enjoy physical activity in a safe and comfortable environment amongst peers and those that face similar barriers to getting active. I’d like to thank the incredible Nuffield Health Instructors and other community partners involved who have managed to create an engaging and fun environment for those taking part. Hopefully together we can continue to support more young girls in leading a healthier and more active lifestyle.”