Tackling Inequalities Funding supports young people to get active after lockdown

How did the Tackling Inequalities Funding (TIF) help?

The funding enabled Westcliff Community Works to provide physical activity sessions for young people who, due to lockdown, had not had the opportunity to access any activity, or be with their friends. Westcliff Community Works were able to purchase a range of equipment to provide fun activities as well as provide Judo sessions for the young people to participate in, which supported the young people to be physically active, have fun and get fit.

Why was the project needed?

Lockdown#1 had meant that young people had not been able to see their friends for a long time, most of the young people had not had any opportunity to be active and this had affected their physical and mental health. The project not only supported the young people to be more active but sessions were fun and provided an environment where young people could have fun and be with friends, which had a positive affect on their confidence and mental wellbeing

How did TIF help?

The funding enabled Westcliff Community Works to purchase equipment which enables the young people to participate in a range of different activities, and to run activities beyond the funding period. The funding also enabled the organisation to bring in a qualified judo instructor who was able to provide sessions that most young people had never participated in before and provided them with a variety of skills and confidence after a difficult lockdown period.

Feedback from sessions included:

“I really enjoyed it and had lots of fun. I liked judo. It makes me feel more confident” (Isaac age 7)

“I feel like Isaac benefited from the activity workshops particularly Judo and Boxercise sessions. He has gained a bit more confidence. I am so happy he was able to come back to some fun activities” (Parent)

“I really enjoyed the sessions it was so much fun and been able to see my friends and keep fit.” (Lillybeth age 8)

“It was brilliant project that was run to encourage kids to get into some physical activities but I think it also benefitted my daughter’s mental wellbeing as well as her physical wellbeing, my daughter really enjoyed this programme especially as she was able to see friends after not been able to due to lockdowns” (Parent)