Talk for Sport
Improving mental health
Mental health is a hot topic for us all at the moment and with an opportunity to improve the situation in the local community one of our centres jumped at the chance.
Middleton Pool and Fitness Centre in Newport Pagnell launched the Talk for Sport programme, aimed at improving the mental health situation among the local young people.
The six-week programme of sport and activities invited visitors to engage with the centre in an effort to promote wellbeing amongst participants.
The results spoke for themselves when we asked the young people what personal improvements they had made off the back of the programme:
- 76% said they had made new friends
- 76% learnt different ways to exercise
- 69% reported an improved mental wellbeing
- 76% said they enjoyed being part of a group
- 69% felt confident using the gym and other facilities at Middleton Pool
Lacey Bavister, Director of Health and Wellbeing at the nearby Ousedale School reported a notable change in one pupil who had attended the programme; "She now has the confidence and maturity to not lash out when someone upsets her but comes into the office to talk it through. Her behaviour has also really improved, doing really well in class."
Places Leisure is currently in discussion about relaunching the Talk for Sport campaign in 2023.
