Ballymacmaine Community Assoc Older Person Fitness

Who Are We

Formed in 2019, we are a Constitutied community group serving the Ballymacmaine community near Moira and surrounding rural areas. The main aims, objectives and remit of Ballymacmaine Community Association is to promote the welfare and interests of the local people living in Ballymacmaine and its surrounding area, and to co-operate & collaborate with other similar organisations both locally and in the surrounding communities in which we work. 

This collaboration approach has been more important than ever over the last few years because of the cost of living crisis. We are a small micro voluntary organisation set up to support rural residents surrounding where we are located- BT67 0QU. 

Our small organisation is made up of local people who volunteer their time daily simply because of their love for the community and to support the community to be better. Because our volunteers are entrenched in the local community daily, we all understand the challenges faced in our area. Considering this, our organisation and volunteers play a central role in community development locally.

Why are we crowdfunding?

This crowdfunding campaign is to raise vital funds for our community group so we can deliver a new older persons project.

More specifically, we are fundraising to deliver a healthy sporting community initiative for older people from Feb through to March, totalling 8 weeks of 3 times per week activities.   

We want to get older people in our rural community active! Our community sporting and wellness programme is a new 8-week programme that focuses on introducing our elderly Ballymacmaine community to fitness, health, and well-being through utilising local walking trail space and indoor facilities. 

This crowdfunding will allow us to deliver the programme, hire indoor facilities, outdoor facilities for walking football, purchase exercise equipment specific to our older demographic, bring specialised coaches to work with the older people and so on.

How we’ll spend the money raised

Crowdfunding is now an excellent opportunity for our community group to raise vital funds because we can get an additional £5,000 from Sport NI. So, please support our Crowdfunder and donate what you can. All money raised will go towards the following:

Facility Hire

Indoor Facilities: £1,680

• 3 hours/session, 2 sessions/week, 8 weeks = 48 hours
• Cost/hour: £35
• Total: £1,680

Outdoor Facilities for Walking Football = £960

• 3 hours/week, 8 weeks = 24 hours
• Cost/hour: £40

Exercise Equipment (Older Demographic)= £3,800

Resistance Bands (30 units @ £8 each): £240Light Dumbbells (30 pairs @ £30 each): £900Chair Yoga Blocks (30 units @ £10 each): £300Balance Discs (30 units @ £20 each): £600Step Platforms (10 units @ £25 each): £250Storage Trolley for Equipment: £300

Treadmill £1,210

Specialised Coaches= £800

Walking Football Coach:

• £50/session (2 hours per session- 1hr delivery 1hr planning / evaluation), 8 sessions = £400

Yoga/Fitness Coach:

• £50/session (2 hours per session- 1hr delivery 1hr planning / evaluation), 8 sessions = £400

Workshops= £1,400

• 4 workshops focused on older persons fitness, staying active, exercise at home, eating healthy and mental health through exercise @ £350 per 3 hour session = £1,400

Refreshments £960

• Tea, coffee, snacks for 30 participants/session:
  • £4/person/session, 8 weeks = £960

Marketing

• Flyers, posters, social media ads:
  • £400

Total Budget: £10,000

Community impact and Alignment with Sport NI Creating Opportunities:

Our project is about encouraging Active Lifestyles in rural Ballymacmaine. For example:

• The programme promotes physical activity among older people, a key demographic often excluded from traditional fitness initiatives.
• Activities such as walking football, yoga, and fitness sessions are tailored to meet the needs of older individuals, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.
• The use of indoor and outdoor facilities aligns with Sport NI’s aim to maximize local community spaces for physical activity, especially in rural areas.

Breaking Down Barriers to Participation:

• The project addresses barriers like cost, accessibility, and confidence by offering free participation, convenient local facilities, and specialized support.
• Providing equipment specifically designed for older people ensures that participants feel safe and supported while engaging in fitness activities.

Supporting Community Engagement and Well-being

• Workshops on fitness at home, health, and mental well-being align with Sport NI’s emphasis on holistic benefits of sport and physical activity.
• Refreshments and social interaction opportunities create a supportive and connected environment, fostering community cohesion.

Sustaining Long-term Participation

• By introducing older people to fitness in a fun, non-intimidating way, the programme lays a foundation for sustained physical activity.
• The initiative can serve as a model for ongoing health and wellness programmes within Ballymacmaine, creating a lasting legacy of active lifestyles.

Wider Community Impact in Ballymacmaine

Promoting Social Inclusion

• This programme provides a safe and welcoming space for older individuals, many of whom may experience social isolation, especially during the winter months.
• Group activities like walking football encourage teamwork and camaraderie, strengthening social bonds within the community.

Enhancing Health and Well-being

• Regular physical activity improves cardiovascular health, mobility, and mental well-being, reducing the risk of chronic illnesses and depression among older people.
• Workshops educate participants on the importance of active aging, nutrition, and mental health, leading to better long-term outcomes.

Empowering Local Organisations

• Ballymacmaine Community Association is positioned as a leader in promoting health and wellness, strengthening its role within the local community.
• The project demonstrates effective use of local indoor and outdoor facilities, inspiring other community groups to initiate similar programmes.

Economic and Environmental Impact

• The initiative uses existing local spaces, reducing the need for extensive travel and supporting sustainable practices.
• Crowdfunding, combined with Sport NI’s funding, maximizes financial impact while encouraging community ownership and investment in the programme.

Creating a Legacy

• The programme can serve as a pilot for future initiatives targeting other demographics (e.g., younger people or families), fostering a culture of health and activity in Ballymacmaine.
• The equipment and knowledge gained through this initiative will remain a resource for future programmes.

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!