On your marks, kids, for a better start in life
Physical activity can help tackle problems of poverty, writes Tommy George
This month, the First Minister launched ambitious plans to tackle the damaging effects of child poverty in Scotland by 2030. The Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill seeks to address the wideranging inequalities which face an estimated 200,000 children in Scotland who are growing up in poverty.
Poverty is known to negatively affect young people in a number of ways, from their educational attainment to their health.
As summarised by The Child Poverty Action Group: “Poverty remains one of the most serious problems facing children today. Its effects last a lifetime, negatively impacting on health, education, social and physical development and seriously harming future life chances and opportunities.”
This situation must be addressed as a commitment to our future generation. But, with so many competing needs, where should the greatest resource and attention be placed?at Edinburgh Leisure, we believe that providing opportunities to take part in physical activity can improve chances for children and families living in poverty.
A big part of growing up is about being physically active and getting the chance to take part in sport, which can have an enormously positive effect on a young person’s wellbeing. It improves confidence, helping young people focus in school – resulting in better educational attainment. It also develops essential life skills like communication, teamwork and resilience.
People may not realise that Edinburgh Leisure is actually a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to get active, stay active and lead healthier lives. We’re uniquely placed to use our expertise and citywide venues to combat the health and social inequalities faced by children affected by poverty.
Over the past decade, we have worked with our partners in education, youth work, social work and the voluntary sector to tackle barriers to participation and help children, young people and their families get active whatever their circumstances. Our Friday evening youth initiative, Open All Hours, offers teenagers in Edinburgh the chance to enjoy a wide range of physical activities. Edinburgh Leisure staff work hand in hand with youth work teams from across the city to support 300 young people a week to get active, hit the gym, take a swim, try a fitness class and enjoy socialising with their friends. Costing just £1 for two hours of activity, Open All Hours enables everyone to access their local facilities and enjoy physical activity with their friends.
We believe it is also important to encourage healthy habits within the family environment. Our Community Access Programme works with over 150 voluntary
sector agencies, giving them the tools, support and encouragement to enable the children and families they support to get more active, more often. We also offer additional support to some of the most marginalised and hard-to-reach children and young people in the city. Our Looked After and Active programme works with children in care to offer subsidised access to physical activity. Engaging with foster carers, social workers and families, Edinburgh Leisure offers easy access to a wide range of physical activities for the children and young people in Edinburgh that are most in need. Children can play at our soft play centres, learn to swim in our pools, try sports as varied as trampolining, football, climbing and athletics, or give the gym or a fitness class a go.
As part of a joint initiative with NHS Lothian and the voluntary organisation Stepping Stones, we are working with young mums in North Edinburgh to raise awareness of the importance of regular physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle for both mum and baby. The sessions introduce new mums to active play, encouraging and supporting these new families to take steps towards a physically active and healthy future together.
Everyone should have the chance to improve their health and wellbeing through regular physical activity. As the Government sets out on this important three-year child poverty action plan, it is vital that local authorities, national agencies and funders work together to ensure that addressing improvements in health, wellbeing and physical activity is given critical prominence. For more on Edinburgh Leisure’s programmes see www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/be-active Tommy George, Community Development Manager, Edinburgh Leisure