Sport Northern Ireland: Creating Opportunities has provided £5,000 of match funding
Mid Ulster Wellness Youth Sporting Initiative
Augher, Mid Ulster, United Kingdom
Aim
Empowering Clogher Valley's youth through sports, fitness, and wellness programmes, for more active and healthier lifestyles this winter
Who are we?
Set up during the height of the Covid19 pandemic, our organisation was set up to support people across the Clogher Valley areas of Clogher and Fivemiletown who were in need because of the pandemic.
Programmes we are delivering currently include our 2024 Tbuc programme, older persons programmes and community Pharmacy programme.
We have also delivered in the past an out of school Emotional Wellbeing Mental Health Project for Children and Young People. Funded through Telecommunity Fund. The programme was a 10 week out of school Emotional Wellbeing Mental Health Project for 20 Children and Young People aged 8 to 15 (boys and girls) living across the Clogher Valley area.
When we first came together to set up our voluntary organisation, we focused a lot of our work initially in reaching out to those who we knew were living alone and isolated by paying them a visit and supporting them in whatever way we could. We asked them how we could help and we done our best to assist as much as possible.
We began to link with wider community groups locally to provide exercise and wellbeing initiatives to those most in need. Predominately, the support provided over the last few years has been for local families, single parents & children, older people, persons living alone and persons with mobility issues / disabilities.
Our overall objectives as a community voluntary organisation as per our Constitution is to promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Mid Ulster (particularly across the Clogher Valley region) and its environs without the distinction of age, sex, race, political, religious or other opinion by promotion of wellness, through assistance with participation in health, wellbeing and sporting programmes, with the object of improving the conditions of life for local people. We aim to promote the advancement of education and to stimulate and create interest in wellness for the benefit of the local community across Mid Ulster and Clogher Valley, particularly but not exclusively by: (a) delivering health and wellbeing educational programmes: (b) delivering physical activity programme
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are crowdfunding to ensure that Clogher Valley’s youth have access to NEW essential sports, fitness, and wellness programmes during a time when many families are struggling due to the cost of living crisis.
We will deliver a 20-week NEW cross-community youth programme to a new cohort of 20 young people aged 11 to 18 boys and girls, building on previous projects across our rural community here in Clogher Valley.
Rising costs have impacted our ability to maintain and upgrade our programmes, provide new equipment, and deliver high-quality activities. This funding will allow us to deliver NEW programmes supporting young people’s physical and mental health, especially through the challenging winter months.
Specifically, funding will allow us to deliver the following:
Weeks 1-4: Introduction to Fitness & Team Building
- Activity Focus: General Fitness & Teamwork
- Week 1: Fitness assessments, introduction to warm-ups, stretching techniques, and light cardio (jogging, skipping).
- Week 2: Introduction to cross community team sports (soccer, GAA, Rugby) with a focus on basic rules and techniques.
- Week 3: Bodyweight exercises (push-ups, squats, lunges) and light circuit training for strength building.
- Week 4: Team-building games, relay races, and obstacle courses to encourage cooperation and communication.
Weeks 5-8: Skill Development & Nutrition
- Activity Focus: Sports Skills & Healthy Habits
- Week 5: Multi Sport skill-building drills (dribbling, passing, shooting).
- Week 6: Introduction to other sports like tennis and h,hockey, focusing on hand-eye coordination and agility.
- Week 7: Basic nutrition workshops (understanding balanced meals, hydration, and healthy snacks).
- Week 8: Strength training with resistance bands and partner exercises for core stability.
Weeks 9-12: Mental Wellbeing & Mindfulness in Sport
- Activity Focus: Mental Health & Relaxation
- Week 9: Introduction to mindfulness techniques and breathing exercises.
- Week 10: Group yoga sessions focused on flexibility and relaxation.
- Week 11: Mental health workshops addressing stress management, resilience, and positive thinking.
- Week 12: Guided meditation and group discussions on mental wellbeing, focusing on the mind-body connection.
Weeks 13-16: Sports & Fitness Challenges
- Activity Focus: Advanced Techniques & Friendly Competition
- Week 13: Multi Sport drills, small group games.
- Week 14: Introduction to strength training techniques with light weights.
- Week 15: Fitness challenge: 5K walk, jog or walk in Knockmany Forest, promoting endurance and teamwork.
- Week 16: Friendly sports tournament, encouraging healthy competition.
Weeks 17-20: Community Engagement & Personal Growth
- Activity Focus: Leadership & Community Impact
- Week 17: Leadership workshops to encourage personal development, including mentoring younger participants.
- Week 18: Group volunteering activity in the community (organising a community sports day or event).
- Week 19: Reflection workshops on personal progress, setting fitness goals for the future.
- Week 20: Celebration event: awards for participation and progress, final group games and team activities.
This programme not only focuses on physical fitness but also encourages mental wellbeing, teamwork, and community engagement, ensuring a holistic approach to youth development through sport in the Clogher Valley.
How we’ll spend the money raised
All money raised will be spent to deliver our 20 week youth programmes this winter. Here is a further breakdown:
20 week indoor facility hire in Augher @ £35 per hour 6 hours per week x 20 weeks= £4,200.
Project Specific Equipment= Multi Sport Packs x 10 @ £250 each= £2,500 and Light exercise equipment such as yoga mats, barbells and foam rollers= £900
Coach to deliver the project= £20 per hour, 6 hours per week x 20 weeks= £2,400
Community impact
Our programme will have a lasting impact on the entire Clogher Valley community, benefiting not just the youth but also families, and local organisations across our rural community. By providing a safe and supportive environment for young people to engage in sports and wellbeing activities this winter, we are fostering a culture of health, teamwork, and resilience that extends beyond the programme.
Wider benefits include:
Healthier Youth, Healthier Future- By encouraging young people to stay active and develop healthy habits, we reduce the risk of obesity, mental health issues, and other long-term health problems in our community.
Support for Families- Our programme offers a free and accessible way for families to keep their children engaged in positive activities, especially during the winter months when outdoor activities are limited.
Community Cohesion - Our programme will be open for wider community involvement and across communities, hosting events such as fitness classes, family sports days, and mental health workshops. This brings people together, strengthens community bonds, and fosters a spirit of inclusion.
Overall, our initiative is about more than sports; it's about creating a healthier, more connected, and supportive community for everyone.
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!
This project successfully funded on 1st November 2024