Local project aims to help youngsters keep fit

A £50,000 pilot scheme aimed at helping children under 10 to keep active has been launched in Perth and Kinross.

It is hoped the year-long project – a partnership between Perth and Kinross Council and Live Active Leisure (LAL) – will have long-term health benefits for the youngsters taking part.

Physical activity is recognised as providing several benefits to health and wellbeing across the ages and it is recommended that children have at least an hour of physical activity per day.

A spokesperson for the project said: “The number of obese and overweight children is increasing throughout Scotland and this will have an impact on their health and wellbeing in later life and on the wider social and economic pressures of the communities they live in.

“Research has shown that developing basic movement and motor skills from a young age has a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of children, as well as helping to support their wider learning and achievement and build good habits for an ongoing active lifestyle.”

The Active Under 10s project will work with children who are currently not taking part in physical activity, or who could benefit from additional opportunities.

It will target communities, nurseries and schools where traditionally there are fewer chances to participate or where additional support is required to improve pupils’ educational attainment.

LAL has recruited three modern apprentices to help deliver the project, which aims to build confidence in parents, carers and staff to enable them to run fun, structured sessions for children in their care.