Always on
This project successfully funded on 12th March 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Armagh Tyrone Wellbeing Collective Moves Well
Armagh, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, United Kingdom
Aim
Supporting movement for older people in rural Markethill up to March 2026, through our new programme 5 hours per week.
Who are we?
Armagh Tyrone Wellbeing Collective is a community organisation that uses physical activity as our primary activity for better all round physical and mental wellbeing. Our activities provide benefit to Individuals, underrepresented groups and families within the Armagh and Tyrone areas (as well as across NI), particularly those facing challenges related to mental health, social isolation, and wellbeing.
Our focus is on supporting vulnerable populations, including those experiencing economic hardship, social exclusion, and / or mental health difficulties, by offering accessible and inclusive support programmes that promote mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
We do a lot of outdoor activities for better physical and mental health.
Our community benefits from our programmmes by gaining access to much-needed mental health and wellbeing services tailored to the unique challenges faced by those we support. By providing our services, we ensure that support is accessible to all, particularly those who might not otherwise afford such services.
Our activities reduce social isolation, enhance community cohesion, and improve participants' overall quality of life. By focusing on preventative measures and early intervention, we aim to reduce the long-term impact of mental health issues on individuals and families, leading to a healthier, more resilient community.
We deliver educational workshops, peer support groups, and counselling services tailored to various age groups and community needs.
We provide holistic wellbeing programmes, including mindfulness sessions, physical activity classes, and stress management workshops, designed to enhance both mental and physical health.
We do outreach activities to reach isolated and vulnerable individuals within the community, including home visits, telephone support, and online resources.
We partner with local healthcare providers, schools, and charities to create a network of support that is easily accessible to those in need.
We run educational campaigns and events to raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing, aiming to reduce stigma and encourage community-wide participation in wellness activities.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are raising funds to deliver a new physical activity and wellbeing programme up to end of March 2026 specifically for older people living in rural communities such as Markethill.
We will deliver 5 hours of activity each week, and 25+ older people will take part, with the programme concluding by March 2026.
The programme will include structured group physical activity sessions focused on gentle exercise, walking in Gosford Forest, mobility sessions, balance and strength activities, and light outdoor activity where appropriate, mindfulness and relaxation sessions, and time for social interaction- delivered 5 hours per week. All activities will be adapted to individual ability, ensuring participants can take part safely, build confidence and progress at their own pace.
At present, there are very limited age appropriate activity opportunities locally for people aged 65+. Many older adults experience isolation, declining health and reduced confidence, yet cost, transport and lack of suitable programmes prevent them from taking part in physical activity.
Funding raised through this campaign will allow us to launch this programme safely and properly. It will cover venue hire, qualified facilitators, appropriate low impact equipment and local promotion to ensure older people know the programme exists and feel confident attending.
Without this funding, the project cannot go ahead. As a small community organisation, we do not have core funding to absorb delivery costs, and participants themselves cannot afford to pay commercial class fees.
This funding will remove financial barriers and allow older people to access structured, supported physical activity in a welcoming environment.
Sport NI will match fund what we raise up to £5,000, doubling the impact of every donation. By supporting this campaign, you are helping older people stay active, remain independent for longer and feel more connected within their community.
Creating Opportunities Alignment
This project will level the playing field by engaging older people aged 65+ who are currently under represented in sport and physical activity within our rural communities.
Older adults in areas such as Markethill face clear barriers to participation including social isolation, declining mobility, transport challenges, low confidence and a lack of age appropriate activity options. Many have never engaged with structured physical activity or feel traditional sport settings are not suitable for them.
This Creating Opportunities project is new and additional to our normal activity and has been specifically designed to attract a new target group to our organisation. We do not currently deliver a dedicated older people programme. This project creates a tailored pathway into physical activity for participants who would otherwise remain inactive.
The 10 week programme will provide weekly structured sessions of 5+ hours per week focused on gentle physical activity, balance, mobility, strength and mental wellbeing. Sessions will be inclusive, non competitive and adaptable to individual ability, ensuring participants feel safe and supported.
Clear measurable outcomes include:
- Engagement of a minimum of 25 older adults aged 65+
- 10 structured weekly sessions delivered (5 hours across each week)
- At least 75% of participants completing 40+ hours or more of activities.
- Improved confidence in physical activity measured through pre and post participation surveys
- Reduced isolation measured through self reported social connection outcomes
The project also supports older people to play an active role beyond participation. Participants will be encouraged to assist with welcoming new members, peer support and feedback shaping future delivery. This creates progression opportunities and builds confidence, ownership and long term sustainability.
By removing cost barriers, providing appropriate equipment, trained facilitators and a supportive environment, this project enables older people to participate on equal terms.
This approach directly supports Sport NI Creating Opportunities by increasing participation, reducing inequality and providing new and additional access to physical activity for those least likely to take part.
How we’ll spend the money raised
All funds raised will go towards this project, and Sport NI will add £5,000 if we raise £5,000. Full cost break down is as follows:
Facilitator costs (2 facilitators)= £2,500: Delivery of 10 weekly sessions including preparation and participant support 50 hours total.
Equipment: Total equipment cost: £4,000
Exercise mats 20 @ £30 = £600
Resistance band sets 30 sets @ £15 = £450
Light dumbbells and weighted bars 15 sets @ £50 = £750
Balance boards and stability aids 10 units @ £65 = £650
Portable step platforms 10 units @ £55 = £550
Storage trolley and safety equipment 1 set = £400
Outdoor activity equipment mixed set = £600
Facility hire 5 hours per week x 10 weeks £50 per hour= £2,500
Refreshment budget £500
Marketing / Promo £500
Community impact
Our organisation plays a wider role within the community by using physical activity as a gateway to improve health, connection and wellbeing for people of all ages.
While this project focuses on older people, the impact extends beyond individual participants. By reducing isolation, improving mobility and supporting mental wellbeing, the programme helps older adults remain active within their families, communities and local services for longer.
Our activities benefit people living in rural areas who often face limited access to services, poor transport and fewer opportunities to stay socially connected. Many participants rely on community based programmes as their main point of weekly social contact.
The programme will also strengthen community capacity by bringing people together in a shared local space, encouraging peer support and building trust and connection across generations.
Facilities used for this project are community venues that support multiple activities including youth groups, family supports, fitness classes and social programmes. Investment in this project therefore contributes to sustained use of local facilities and helps keep them viable.
By delivering inclusive, accessible activity locally, the project supports healthier communities, reduces pressure on health services and promotes long term wellbeing.
The wider community benefits from stronger social connections, increased volunteering potential and a more active, resilient rural population.
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways to help us reach our target, and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re going to support us because momentum is key to our success!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and tell the world to get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out!
4. Fundraise for us. If you want to run your own fundraiser – maybe a sponsored activity or similar – use the 'contact project' button at the top of our page to let us know. Setting up your own page only takes a few minutes and you won’t need any bank details. Just a fun idea!
Sport Northern Ireland: Creating Opportunities has provided £5,000 of match funding
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made