Tyrone Initiative for Development and Empowerment

Who are we?

Tyrone Initiative for Development and Empowerment (TIDE) is a voluntary community wellbeing group dedicated to enhancing the lives of vulnerable residents within Omagh and our surrounding rural areas. We had been planning to set the organisation up since mid 2022, and began planning to have it Constituted formally early 2023. 

Our primary focus is on improving the physical, and mental wellbeing of our community, many of which are vulnerable and live in areas of high deprivation, particularly in response to the challenges posed by the rising cost of living and lack of services in Omagh in places like Lisanelly. Our beneficiaries include low-income families, younger people, elderly people, isolated community members in and round Omagh, people struggling with mental and physical health, and those just looking to make friends through our programmes. 

For example, we linked with the Public Health Agency recently and they told us that our catchment of Lisanelly_1 and Lisanelly_2 Super Output Areas (SOA) are respectively the 46th and 47th most deprived areas in Northern Ireland, out of 890 SOAs, according to NISRA statistics. Worryingly, Lisanelly_2 ranks 24th most deprived in the Health and Disability Deprivation Domain, highlighting the lack of wellbeing initiatives currently for these deprived areas. At TIDE, we recognise the role that community-led initiatives play in making a difference and creating positive change, fostering inclusion, and promoting active participation in decision-making processes. This is why we set the organisation up in the first place. In doing so, all our activities are inclusive and open to everyone, regardless of ability or background, and we actively seek representation from all groups we support. Our activities are carefully designed to meet the needs of people locally in Omagh, catering to diverse beneficiaries, with many included in the decision-making processes because we speak with them directly and ask what is needed. 

Therefore, through speaking with older people, younger people and local families for example our activities offer a comprehensive wellbeing approach, focusing on improving lives through financial, physical, and mental wellbeing programmes, particularly during the rapidly changing digital age.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are launching this Crowdfunder to raise vital funds for our community group based in Omagh. We are looking to deliver new programmes for older people over the winter from late Dec / Early Jan 2025, so we want to fundraise to enable us to deliver these new programmes, which is a key priority for us. 

This crowdfunding will allow us to deliver 12 weeks of fitness health and wellbeing for activities for 20 older people, many of who also have mobility issues. Activities such as chair aerobics, walking, stretching, strength workouts and introduction to a gym environment will all be achieved through fundraising. 

The following is our indicative Weekly Activity Schedule (2 Hours Each Week over 12 weeks from late December / Early January 2025):

Week 1 Introduction & Orientation Welcome session, introduction to programme, overview of benefits, brief mobility assessment, and exercise familiarisation.

Week 2 Chair Aerobics Gentle aerobic movements from seated positions to improve cardiovascular health and stamina. Walking Club IntroductionShort, guided walks indoors or outdoors (depending on weather) to build stamina and social interaction.

Week 3 Balance & CoordinationExercises to enhance stability and reduce fall risk. May include standing behind a chair for support. Strength & Resistance (Upper Body)Light resistance bands used for arm exercises, focusing on improving strength for daily tasks.

Week 4 Chair Yoga & StretchingSimple yoga poses and stretches to improve flexibility and relaxation. Strength & Resistance (Lower Body)Resistance exercises for legs and lower body to aid in mobility and endurance.

Week 5 Breathing & Relaxation Techniques. Deep breathing and relaxation to improve mental well-being and manage stress. Intro to Gym EnvironmentGuided tour of a local gym, familiarization with equipment, and addressing any anxieties about gym spaces.

Week 6 Walking Club (Extended)Longer guided walks to build endurance, with tips on safe walking practices. Chair Aerobics (Advanced)Increased intensity for those ready, with a focus on rhythm and coordination.

Week 7 Functional Strength (Upper & Lower Body)Combined strength exercises targeting arms and legs for more comprehensive muscle engagement. Mobility & Flexibility Exercises target joint health and flexibility, emphasizing ease of movement in daily activities.

Week 8 Strength Circuit. Simple circuit workout using lightweight dumbbells or bands to build both endurance and strength.

Week 9 Social Walking GroupGroup-led walking to encourage interaction, community building, and sustained fitness habits. Introduction to Mindfulness & Meditation: This is a guided session on mindfulness practices to improve focus, memory, and relaxation. 

Week 10 Chair Yoga (Advanced )More challenging poses for those with increased flexibility, incorporating breath control and mindfulness. Balance & AgilityComplex balance exercises to further reduce fall risk and promote agility.

Week 11 Strength & Functional Movement (All Areas)Total-body strength session with exercises integrating upper and lower body movements.

Week 12: Reflection & Celebration. Review of progress, celebration of achievements, and discussion of continued activity options.

Each weekly session will last one hour (2 1 hour sessions per week), accommodating warm-ups, main exercises, and cool-downs. Our programme encourages gradual progression, helping participants increase strength, flexibility, and social connections. By Week 12, older participants will experience noticeable improvements in physical mobility, balance, and overall fitness.

How we’ll spend the money raised

It is now a great chance for us to raise vital funds, and to avail of an additional £5,000 from Sport NI through the Creating Opportunities programme.

We are aiming to raise £10,000 total (£5,000 from our fundraising and £5,000 from Sport NI) which will go towards the following:

12 week indoor facility hire in Omagh @ £40 per hour 2 hour per week x 12 weeks= £960

Project Specific Equipment @ £5,100 as follows:

Resistance Bands30x £10 = £300

Adjustable Hand Weights (Pair) 30 x £20 = £600

Yoga Mats (Thick for Comfort)30x £15 £450

Stability Balls15 x £25 = £375

Balance Boards15 x £30= £450

Portable Step Platforms10 x £40= £400

Portable Speaker System 3 x £300

Chair Supports with Armrests15 x £50 £750

Heart Rate Monitors10 x £50 £500

Foam Rollers15 x £20 £300

Stretch Bands (Different Tensions)15 x £15 £225

Storage Rack for Equipment 3 x £150=£450  

2 x Specialised Coaches to deliver the project= £40 per hour, 2 hours per week each (planning 1 hour delivery 1 hour) x 12 weeks= £1,920

Refreshment Budget (fruit and drink each session) @ £3 per person per session x 12 sessions (20 participants)= £720

Marketing / Advertising @ £500 (online and print media / leaflets / newpaper).

Final Celebration Event @ £800= Facility hire, medals and refreshments.

Community impact and Sport NI Alignment

Our project is all about 'Levelling the Playing Field’. For example the Creating Opportunities programme prioritises projects that make sports and physical activities accessible to underrepresented groups, specifically targeting older adults as a key demographic. Our project’s focus on delivering inclusive fitness and well-being activities directly aligns with this priority.

By designing activities such as chair aerobics, walking sessions, strength workouts, and accessible gym introductions, the project provides a supportive environment tailored to the needs of older adults, including those with limited mobility. This helps overcome physical barriers that typically prevent this group from participating in regular exercise.

The Creating Opportunities emphasises engaging groups who face additional barriers to participation. This includes not only older adults but those with mobility issues or limited access to transport.

Through our structured 12-week programme, this project ensures that all participants, regardless of mobility challenges, feel included and empowered to participate in activities that benefit their physical and mental health.

Creating Opportunities also seeks to support projects that connect communities through physical activity. This is crucial for building resilience, especially for groups prone to social isolation. Each of our sessions offers not only fitness but also social engagement opportunities, where participants can connect with others. With refreshments and group activities, the programme builds a sense of community and reduces feelings of isolation among older adults. This has far-reaching benefits on mental well-being, helping participants build meaningful social connections.

The Creating Opportunities programme supports activities that improve physical and mental health, increase resilience, and foster positive lifestyle changes. Our project’s gradual approach—from low-impact activities to introducing participants to a gym environment—encourages older adults to maintain an active lifestyle beyond the 12-week programme.

By establishing routines and familiarity with exercises, the programme instills confidence in participants, helping them to integrate these activities into their daily lives for ongoing health benefits.

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!