| Getting Active |
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The YMCA supports people to develop into healthy, confident individuals. We are the largest voluntary sector organisation in England providing services that promote personal health and fitness, helping children, young people and communities lead healthy, active lives. We provide flexible and creative physical activity opportunities for all that are not just limited to sports and fitness facilities. From providing opportunities for competitive and informal sport, to running activity sessions with YMCA residents, we strive to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals through a holistic approach. In addition, every year over half a million people access group exercise programmes at YMCAs. Our facilities are renowned for being friendly, non-intimidating and are accessible and inclusive for people of all ages and skill levels. We offer a wide range of activities, such as exercise classes, sports teams, rehabilitative and other special care. We also work with young people on a range of health issues such as healthy eating, sexual and reproductive health and drugs and alcohol counselling. Contact your local YMCA to find out more. Community GamesCommunity Games is a partnership programme between YMCA England and the County Sports Partnership Network and aims to give everyone up and down the country the chance to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Inspired by the Games, Community Games was designed, to encourage communities to come together and take part in sports and arts activities. Funded by the Government's Social Action Fund, Community Games captured the imagination of so many people in 2012 that in 2013 local communities across England are invited to hold a local event either for the first time or as a follow-up to their 2012 Community Games. They are all shapes and sizes! Small events with 30 participants right up to large events with over 5,000 participants. Usually run by volunteers from their local community with involvement from other local organisations. There is usually a broad range of activities such as sport, traditional fun games, entertainment, picnics, arts and crafts, bouncy castles, barbecues usually aimed at the whole family. The celebrations for 2012 helped to make the events special with opening and closing ceremonies, 'look alike' Diamond Jubilee Queens, home-made flags and bunting for the Olympic countries, home-made podiums and torches, medals and certificates. The Community Games programme helped this to happen and to make them GREAT events. In total, there are 27 YMCAs and 49 County Sports Partnerships across England delivering the Community Games programme and over 1,500 events will take place this Summer. To find more or identify events in your local area, visit www.communitygames.org.uk. Young Health ChampionsThe Young Health Champions project (YHC) is funded by Department of Health and aims to recruit young people as health ambassadors and young health consultants. Our Young Health Champions receive training and mentoring to equip them to promote key health messages around physical activity, smoking cessation, drugs and alcohol, mental health and sexual health to their peers. Further to this, they also signpost other young people to existing local health services and give and represent young people's views to health service commissioners. We believe this approach reduces some of the health inequalities that face young people living in disadvantaged areas. The Young Health Champions project is being run from five YMCAs: North Tyneside, Worcester, Reigate and Redhill, Southend and Plymouth. For more information on the project please download our information leaflet or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . TrainingThe YMCA is one of the UK’s leading trainers of fitness professionals. We offer a range of health and fitness courses for fitness instructors and those who want to start a career in fitness: Find out about the ways you can support the YMCA. |
Getting Communities Active
