Sport Northern Ireland: Creating Opportunities provided £5,000 of match funding
TIDE – Fit for the Future
Omagh, Fermanagh and Omagh, United Kingdom
Aim
TIDE – Fit for the Future will help young people in Omagh get active, build confidence and improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
Who are we?
Tyrone Initiative for Development and Empowerment (TIDE) is a voluntary community wellbeing group based in Omagh, working with people across the town and surrounding rural communities.
We established TIDE to create practical opportunities that improve people's physical, mental and social wellbeing. Our work supports young people, older people, low-income families and people who may experience isolation or have fewer opportunities to access activities locally.
Since establishing TIDE, we have built relationships with local organisations and public bodies to strengthen the support we can provide. This has included engagement with the Public Health Agency around health, wellbeing and local need, while we have also worked with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, including delivering our Behavioural Intervention Programme through the Council's EVAWG Local Change Fund.
We also have experience of successfully delivering funded physical activity programmes. Through our previous Sport NI Creating Opportunities Crowdfunder, we raised £10,000 with the support of 33 donors to provide a 12-week fitness and wellbeing programme for 20 older people in Omagh and neighbouring communities.
That programme introduced participants to accessible activities including walking, stretching, strength and resistance exercises, chair-based activity and gym-based exercise. We now want to build on that experience by creating a new opportunity specifically for local young people through TIDE – Fit for the Future.
Why are we crowdfunding?
We are crowdfunding to deliver TIDE – Fit for the Future, a new 12-week fitness and wellbeing programme for 20 young people aged 12–16 from Omagh and the surrounding area.
The programme is particularly aimed at young people who do not currently take part in much sport or physical activity. Some may not enjoy competitive sport, some may never have used fitness equipment before, while others may simply lack the confidence or opportunity to join an established sports club or gym.
Over the 12 weeks, the 20 young people will take part in one structured one-hour fitness and wellbeing session every week. This will provide 12 sessions, 12 hours of activity for each participant and up to 240 participant hours of fitness and wellbeing activity across the programme. Two qualified fitness instructors will support the group, helping activities remain safe and suitable for different levels of fitness and experience.
Weeks 1–2: Getting active
The first two sessions will give participants a comfortable introduction to being active. Young people will take part in warm-ups, walking, stretching, mobility exercises, bodyweight movements and beginner circuits.
Our 20 exercise mats and 20 resistance band sets will allow every participant to have their own equipment during these activities. The focus will be on learning basic movements, getting comfortable exercising with others and building confidence rather than competition.
By the end of week 2, every participant will have completed two hours of structured physical activity and been introduced to several simple ways of becoming more active.
Weeks 3–4: Strength and resistance
Weeks 3 and 4 will introduce young people to strength and resistance exercise using the resistance bands, adjustable dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls and suspension training equipment purchased through the project.
With 15 adjustable dumbbell sets, 10 kettlebells and 10 medicine balls, participants will be able to work individually, in pairs and through different exercise stations. Instructors will focus on safe technique and adapt exercises to participants' age, ability and confidence.
By the end of week 4, each young person will have completed four hours of activity and gained practical experience of beginner strength and resistance training.
Weeks 5–6: Fitness, circuits and coordination
Weeks 5 and 6 will focus on cardiovascular fitness, stamina and coordination. Participants will use 20 skipping ropes, 10 aerobic step platforms, agility ladders, training hurdles, cones and reaction equipment to complete short circuits and group fitness activities.
We will also introduce non-contact fitness boxing using focus pads and gloves, giving young people another way to work on movement, coordination and cardiovascular fitness.
At the halfway point, each participant will have completed six sessions and six hours of structured activity.
Weeks 7–8: Physical and mental wellbeing
During weeks 7 and 8, we will bring the physical and mental wellbeing parts of the programme together.
Sessions will include stretching, mobility and lower-intensity exercise using mats and foam rollers, alongside mindfulness, controlled breathing, relaxation and positive wellbeing techniques.
Specialist wellbeing support will help young people learn practical ways of managing stress, relaxing and understanding how regular physical activity can support their mental wellbeing.
By the end of week 8, participants will have completed eight hours of activity and experienced both higher and lower-intensity ways of looking after their health.
Weeks 9–10: Building fitness and confidence
During weeks 9 and 10, young people will bring together what they have learned during the previous eight weeks through more varied full-body circuits.
Sessions will combine dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, medicine balls, aerobic steps, suspension training, plyometric boxes, skipping and agility equipment. Participants will move between different stations, with exercises adapted so that young people can work at a level that suits them.
The aim is for participants to begin recognising their own progress, whether that is being able to remain active for longer, completing an exercise with better technique or simply feeling more confident taking part.
Weeks 11–12: Fit for the Future
The final two weeks will focus on helping young people continue being active after the programme finishes.
Participants will revisit the activities they have enjoyed most and take part in mixed fitness sessions using the equipment and techniques introduced during the previous 10 weeks. They will also use their activity and wellbeing resources to look at healthy habits and realistic ways of fitting physical activity into their normal week.
By the end of week 12, 20 young people will each have had the opportunity to complete 12 one-hour sessions of physical activity and wellbeing support.
Why we need your support
We will provide the facility for the programme, so the money raised can be focused on the qualified instructors, specialist wellbeing support, fitness equipment and participant resources needed to deliver the 12 weeks.
Participants will not need to purchase or bring their own equipment and they will not need previous experience of a gym or fitness environment. Everything needed to take part will be provided through the programme.
For us, success will be seeing young people who may have been unsure about exercise at the beginning finish the 12 weeks feeling fitter, healthier and more confident. We want them to have tried different ways of being active, found activities they enjoy and developed healthy habits they can continue beyond TIDE – Fit for the Future.
How Our Project Meets Sport NI's Creating Opportunities Criteria
TIDE – Fit for the Future is a new 12-week programme for 20 young people aged 12–16 from Omagh and the surrounding area who aren't currently doing much sport or physical activity.
We want to reach young people who may not enjoy competitive sport, have never used a gym or fitness equipment before, or simply don't have the confidence to join an established club or class. Children and young people, particularly those aged 11–18, are one of the priority groups identified by Sport NI.
Each young person will take part in one one-hour session every week for 12 weeks, giving them up to 12 hours of structured activity. Rather than focusing on one sport, they will get the chance to try walking, strength and resistance exercises, circuits, skipping, aerobic steps, fitness boxing, agility activities, stretching and mobility.
The programme will start at beginner level and build gradually over the 12 weeks. Two qualified fitness instructors will support the 20 participants, showing them how to use the equipment safely and adapting exercises for different abilities and confidence levels.
This is a new programme for us, not funding for an existing or routine activity. Sport NI specifically wants Creating Opportunities projects to provide new or additional opportunities that increase participation in sport and physical activity.
Removing barriers and building confidence
Young people won't need to own fitness equipment, pay for gym access or have any previous experience to take part. We will provide the facility, while the Crowdfunder will provide the instructors, specialist wellbeing support, fitness equipment and programme resources.
Everything needed will be available from the first session, including exercise mats, resistance bands, dumbbells, kettlebells, aerobic steps, medicine balls, skipping ropes and equipment for circuits, agility and other fitness activities.
The aim isn't to see who is the strongest or fastest. We want young people to try different activities, find things they enjoy and notice their own progress. Over the 12 weeks they will work on their strength, stamina, coordination, mobility and general fitness, while becoming more comfortable and confident being active.
Physical and mental wellbeing will also go together. Young people will be introduced to mindfulness, breathing and relaxation techniques and practical ways of managing stress, helping them understand how regular activity can support how they feel as well as their physical health.
Creating something that lasts
We don't want the benefit to disappear after the final session. During weeks 11 and 12, participants will revisit the activities they've enjoyed most and look at realistic ways of keeping active afterwards.
The fitness equipment purchased will stay with us and can be used to create further opportunities for local young people. Two TIDE volunteers will also undertake activity leadership development, building our capacity to support future physical activity. Sport NI specifically identifies new coaching and volunteer development initiatives as an example of eligible expenditure.
By the end of TIDE – Fit for the Future, we want 20 young people to have completed up to 12 hours of fitness and wellbeing activity each, tried activities they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience and found new ways of staying active.
For us, this is about giving young people who aren't currently very active a chance to start, the support to keep going and the confidence to continue after the 12 weeks finish.
How we’ll spend the money raised
All money raised will go directly towards delivering TIDE – Fit for the Future, our 12-week fitness and wellbeing programme for 20 young people aged 12–16. We will provide the facility, meaning the funding can be focused on qualified delivery, fitness equipment and resources that participants will use throughout the programme.
Qualified fitness instructors – £1,440
2 qualified fitness instructors x 2 hours per week x 12 weeks x £30 per hour = £1,440
Provides 48 instructor hours for weekly preparation and set-up, delivery of the one-hour session, participant support and equipment pack-down.
Specialist wellbeing facilitator – £600
12 hours of specialist wellbeing support x £50 per hour = £600
Covers mindfulness, relaxation, breathing techniques, managing stress and positive wellbeing activities throughout the 12 weeks.
Exercise mats – £400
20 exercise mats x £20 each = £400
Provides one mat per participant for stretching, mobility, core exercises and relaxation.
Resistance band sets – £300
20 resistance band sets x £15 each = £300
Provides one set per participant for strength and resistance exercises.
Adjustable dumbbell sets – £900
15 adjustable dumbbell sets x £60 each = £900
Provides a range of adjustable weights for strength, resistance and circuit activities.
Kettlebells – £400
10 kettlebells x £40 each = £400
Used for functional strength, movement and circuit exercises.
Aerobic step platforms – £400
10 adjustable step platforms x £40 each = £400
Used for cardiovascular fitness, lower-body strength, balance and circuits.
Medicine balls – £300
10 medicine balls x £30 each = £300
Used for core strength, coordination and partner exercises.
Skipping ropes – £160
20 skipping ropes x £8 each = £160
Provides one per participant for cardiovascular fitness and coordination.
Circuit and agility equipment – £500
4 agility ladders x £30 = £120
4 hurdle sets x £70 = £280
Cones and floor markers = £60
Reaction and coordination equipment = £40
Total = £500
Suspension training sets – £400
10 suspension training sets x £40 each = £400
Used for supervised bodyweight strength, balance and core exercises.
Fitness boxing equipment – £400
10 pairs of focus pads x £25 = £250
10 pairs of fitness boxing gloves x £15 = £150
Total = £400
Provides equipment for non-contact fitness activities focused on movement, cardiovascular fitness and coordination.
Adjustable plyometric boxes – £480
6 adjustable plyometric boxes x £80 each = £480
Used for step-ups, lower-body strength, balance and circuit activities.
Foam rollers – £200
10 foam rollers x £20 each = £200
Used for supervised stretching, mobility and recovery activities.
Fitness equipment storage – £280
2 heavy-duty mobile storage racks x £140 each = £280
Provides safe and organised storage for the reusable equipment purchased through the project.
Coach and volunteer development – £240
2 TIDE volunteers x £120 per activity leadership course = £240
Develops two volunteers to help support physical activity sessions and strengthen TIDE's ability to continue activities after the 12 weeks.
Participant wellbeing resources – £300
20 participant activity and mindfulness packs x £15 each = £300
Provides one pack per participant covering healthy habits, physical activity, mindfulness, relaxation and ways to continue being active.
Total project cost – £7,700
Sport NI Creating Opportunities – £5,000
Crowdfunding contribution – £2,700
Total – £7,700
The equipment purchased will remain with TIDE after the 12-week programme, giving us a reusable bank of fitness equipment that can support future physical activity and wellbeing programmes for the local community.
Community impact
More opportunities for young people
Fit for the Future will give 20 young people aged 12–16 from Omagh and the surrounding area the chance to become more active in a friendly and supportive environment.
Over 12 weeks, we will deliver one one-hour session each week, giving every young person up to 12 hours of regular fitness and wellbeing activity. Participants will try strength and resistance exercises, circuits, skipping, aerobic steps, agility, stretching and mobility, alongside mindfulness, breathing and relaxation techniques.
We want young people to improve their fitness, build confidence, make new friends and, importantly, find activities they actually enjoy.
Building on our work in Omagh
We already have experience of using health and wellbeing activities to support people in our local community. Our previous Sport NI-supported project provided 12 weeks of fitness and wellbeing activities for 20 older people in Omagh, including people with mobility difficulties.
We have also engaged with the Public Health Agency, delivered work supported by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and worked alongside local organisations and community partners across the Omagh area.
Fit for the Future allows us to build on that experience while creating a new opportunity specifically for local young people.
Making the impact last
We don't want the benefit to end after week 12. The fitness equipment purchased through the project will remain with us and can be used for future community activities. Two of our volunteers will also undertake activity leadership development, helping us build our ability to provide more opportunities in the future.
The immediate impact will be 20 young people becoming more active over 12 weeks, but we want the project to leave us with the equipment, skills and experience to provide more affordable fitness and wellbeing opportunities for our local community long after the programme finishes.
How you can play your part
There are four simple ways you can help us make TIDE – Fit for the Future happen and give 20 local young people the chance to become more active.
1. Make a pledge. Every donation will help us provide the instructors, specialist wellbeing support, fitness equipment and resources needed to deliver the 12-week programme.
2. Spread the word. Share our Crowdfunder with friends, family and across social media. The more people who hear about the project, the closer we get to our target.
3. Offer a reward. If you're a local business, you can support us by donating a product, service or voucher that we can offer as a Crowdfunder reward.
4. Fundraise for us. Run a sponsored walk, fitness challenge or your own fundraiser and help us raise the £2,700 community contribution needed to make TIDE – Fit for the Future a reality.
Every pledge will help us create 12 weeks of fitness and wellbeing opportunities for young people in Omagh and the surrounding area.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 22nd October 2026 at 6:59pm