A project set up to encourage families and people aged over 50 living in North Kensington to take part in sport and healthy exercise has been awarded £105,000 by Sport England.
The ‘Go Generation’ sports project aims to tempt a total of 1,800 people to take part in activities at least once a week.
Sports such as table tennis, canoeing, tennis, bowls, swimming and cycling will be offered in informal sessions at community, leisure and sports centres, which are accessible to everyone.
Seven local organisations are collaborating on the project through CSPAN, the Community Sport and Physical Activity Network.
The partners are Westway Trust, RBKC Leisure Services, Open Age, EPIC CIC , Age UK, The Venture Centre, Dalgarno Trust and the Canalside Activity Centre.
The partners acted after research showed that fewer than one in three people in the north of the borough took part in exercise for at least half an hour each week.
Barriers included lack of time, no-one to go with, cost, poor health and lack of childcare.
The Sport England funding means that activities can be subsidised and will start at as little as £2 a session.
Stephen Wren, Director of Sport at Westway Trust which is one of the lead partners, said: “By sharing our resources and expertise, the partnership will be able to offer bespoke and tailored opportunities to all those wishing to take part.
“Exercising for just half an hour a week may not seem very much but experts say people find it achievable and a perfect way to get back into healthy habits.”
The Go generation sports project will launch in January and run for three years. Some of those who take part will be trained as sports leaders to help and encourage others. It is open to people living in the Golborne, Notting Dale, St Helens, Colville and Dalgarno wards.
More details of the Go Generation sports project are available www.westway.org .
