King’s Park residents get physical this summer!
The King’s Park Moving Together community project, funded by Sport England, is supporting residents in the Kings Park ward of Hackney (which includes Kingsmead and Clapton Park Estates) to be more physically active.
As lock-down continues to ease the importance of being physically active continues to move up on all of our to-do lists, but for many it’s just not that straight forward for a range of reasons. Getting out and about invariably has its challenges and may not be accessible or appealing, particularly post a long stint of being at home and not active.
The latest initiative led by KPMT in partnership with Young Hackney, Public Health, the Sport and Physical Activity team and Kings Park residents - aims to kick-start a summer of movement locally, through the distribution of ‘physical activity packs'. The packs were created to help tackle accessibility and inactivity needs of older residents and families within the ward and broader Hackney. The activity packs include a range of small items such as skipping ropes, step monitors and resistance bands.
Earlier this month 700 packs (400 for families and 300 for older residents across the borough) were successfully delivered through the council’s existing distribution points and community partners. Residents have been sharing their feedback as to how they are using their packs and it has been extremely positive.
Onur Coskuner, CEO of Active Within, is distributing the packs on Woodberry Down Estate and delivering online exercise classes for older and vulnerable people. They said: “We have given 10 packs to 'Friends of Woodberry Down' , an older people's collective who live on the estate. The group was overwhelmed to have the equipment as they weren't expecting it, they were so appreciative and grateful as they don't get much. 16 older people took part in online seated exercise sessions delivered by Active Within using the equipment in the bags which put the equipment to immediate use. This is such a great thing to engage with people in their homes across the borough and keeping them physically active.”
One Kings Park resident, Patricia said: "I found the chair exercise booklet useful and the resistance bands will help me tone my arms. I used to regularly attend the gym but have been unable to for several years. I'm delighted with the step counter as I've wanted to record my steps for some time.”
The Physical Activity packs for Hackney residents are a fantastic resource and very much needed, particularly as inactivity continues to be challenging for us all. Most recently we have seen national campaigns to encourage healthier living, and a more active Britain - this reminds us that we all have a part to play in challenging ourselves and doing a little more when we can. This pragmatic and community-led approach to supporting residents to become physically active -at their own pace- is an encouraging step in the right direction.
To find out more about the programme please contact moving.together@hackney.gov.uk
About Moving Together
Moving Together is a new Hackney Council project funded by Sports England, and is working with people who live in the King’s Park ward, which includes the Kingsmead and Clapton Park Estates, to identify the things that would help local residents to be active and socially connected.
Over the next few years, Moving Together will be working with the community to help decide how best to invest money from Sport England to support local people to feel the benefits of being active in their everyday lives and ensuring long lasting change that will benefit the community in years to come. You can keep up to date with Moving Together by following the project on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also go online to www.hackney.gov.uk/moving-together to find out more