Nicola helping keep the country active
A young sport leader from Dunblane has helped launch a new campaign to keep Scotland physically active and connected with friends and family while social distancing measures are in place
Nicola McDonald (pictured) has been a member of sportscotland’s Young People’s Sport Panel (YPSP) since June 2018. The panel is currently in its fourth two-year cycle and Nicola has already made great strides in ensuring the voice of young people is part of the sporting conversation across Scotland.
With sport in Scotland is at a standstill, the sporting sector has been working hard to ensure people can stay mentally and physically active from their own homes, with the YPSP at the forefront of that effort.
The panel and SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) have created the Walk and Talk campaign as part of sportscotland’s We’re here’ campaign, which SAMH is supporting, promoting the benefits that physical activity has on mental health.
Walk and Talk is encouraging people to set a time for a walk and talk phone call with a friend, family member, colleague or teammate. Each person takes a photo while on their walk and shares it on social media using the hashtag #WeAreHere and tags @sportscotland and @SAMHtweets. The campaign was launched during Mental Health Awareness Week but will continue while restrictions are in place in Scotland.
Keeping the body and mind active is crucial to our overall health, 21-year-old
Nicola says staying connected with others is also important during a challenged time for us all.
She said: “I believe that during this difficult situation people are aiming to take better care of their mental health and wellbeing by exercising and staying in contact with friends and family.
“That is why we came up with the walk and talk idea, which I’ve found very useful to get active while catching up with friends and family. Just giving someone a call and both of you going for a walk can help prepare you for the day or relieve some stress or anxiety at any time.”
Highlights for the panel since starting in June 2018 have been meeting with Minister for Sport Joe FitzPatrick to present their work and discuss the importance of young people as leaders in Scottish sport, supporting the launch of sportscotland’s new corporate plan where panel members delivered the opening and closing speeches across the country at the launch events.
Three main project areas were identified by the panel to make an impact upon which are: women and girls sport, access to sport and mental health and sport.
Established by sportscotland and supported by Young Scot and the National Lottery, YPSP provides a national platform for the voices of young people to be heard and valued in the sporting system. Crucial to the programme is that panel members have the opportunity to influence decision making and drive change in Scottish sport.
The YPSP is part of sportscotland’s commitment to provide a legacy of confident and well-trained young people who will become the next generation of leaders to help take the sporting system forward.
Robert Nesbitt, Head of Physical Activity and Sport at SAMH, said “During these difficult times, it’s important we all look after our mental health and wellbeing, as well as our physical health. We know that participating in physical activity can improve confidence, selfesteem, and mood; but it can be difficult for people to be active in the current circumstances. The Walk and Talk campaign is a simple way for people to stay in touch and get some exercise.”