Minister Aileen has fun

The Scottish Minister for Public Health and Sport teamed up with a Coatbridge charity to deliver active workshops for school children.

Aileen Campbell was invited along to St Stephen’s Primary in Sikeside by Parent Action for Safe Play (PASP) to help the group’s staff with an Active Play session aimed at P2 youngsters.

Active Play is a programme that focuses on “physically active games and play to help children develop fundamental movement skills and increase their physical activity levels”.

The Mi n i s t e r a l s o learned about PASP’s Play Champions programme, which teaches children in primaries four-to-six to take the lead in play sessions for younger pupils at break times.

Julie Atkin of PASP said: “The Minister had a great time observing our team as they delivered the Active Play sessions and met with our director Mary Fagan.

“Active Play is aimed at tackling high levels of physical inactivity by supporting children to be active while they play.

“Both Active Play and Play Champions were developed by Go2Play, a Scottish Government-backed fund delivered by Inspiring Scotland to promote play and increase play opportunities in Scotland.

“PASP is one of 16 organisations currently supported by the fund, which is backed by the Public Health and Sport Minister.”

Cock-a-hoop Minister Aileen Campbell (left) and Julie Atkin of PASP along with some of the youngsters who participate in the play project

Aiming high The Public Health and Sport Minister and PASP staff with the youngsters