HomeActivate London (from Phase 1)
The Activate London project aimed to improve existing physical activities and encourage participation in new healthy physical recreational activities. This was done in innovative ways using a range of approaches that ensured inclusion of all age groups, gender and cultural affiliations, ensuring that fun was had by all. Activities included healthy walks programmes for different abilities, community football games, yoga, street games, circus skills and much more. The project also improved accessibility to existing recreational activities by helping to signpost residents to available opportunities. Recruitment and training of Health Activators from the local communities provided transferable skills acquisition by local residents.
Achievements from Well London Phase 1
- Some 165 sports and physical activity programmes commissioned or leveraged into the 20 Well London target communities to meet identified gaps in provision, ranging from kayaking to chair dance, women’s gym to football, cycling to yoga
- 38 Community Activators trained and supported to provide sport and physical activity opportunities across the 20 Boroughs
Well London World Cup 2010
On Saturday 19th June 2010 over eighty 5-a-side football teams from twenty London boroughs took part in a football tournament organized as part of the Well London programme. Young people aged 11 to 17 years trained hard for several months in sessions organised and run by Well London’s Activators and a network of ‘young ambassadors’. In addition to football skills the sessions included advice on sports nutrition to help players get in shape.
The tournament enjoyed the support of major west London clubs Chelsea, Fulham and Queen’s Park Rangers who helped coordinate the knockout competition. Over thirty volunteers who were involved in the programme across the capital came along to help run the event and support the Well London team.
Family and friends travelled from all over London to support the players. Over 1200 people attended the tournament including local MP Andrew Slaughter who said, “This was a fantastic event which I really enjoyed attending. It required a huge amount of organisation by Well London, but it was worth it to see so much talent and skill on display and to promote healthy living”.
Blue Borough from Bellingham, Lewisham, won the hotly contested football competition. They won in all three age categories 11-13, 13-15 and under 17 years. Stephan, the Young Ambassador and team coach said, "It shows that when you put hard work and education into the youth of today anything is achievable."
The day also included:
- Dance workshops run by The Capoeira Ceara Group, Bollywood & Bhangra Dance Group, Nexos Latino Americanos: Latin Rhumba, XLNT Entertainment, and Lil’Tim the UK’s leading breakdancer and Combination Dance company.
- Martial arts demonstrations and workshops
- Football freestyle workshops with European champions, The Global Freestyle
Well London is a Big Lottery funded programme that aims to improve the health and well being of communities across London, through community-led activities in areas such as healthy eating, being active and improving mental health.
Central YMCA leads on the physical activity and young people’s elements of the Well London programme. Mark Harrod, Director of Advocacy said,
It’s fantastic to see so many young people taking part in the Well London World Cup. Our team, the volunteers and young ambassadors have put in a tremendous amount of work to recruit and train their teams and their energy has been crucial in making this tournament such a success. Well London is making a big contribution to tackling negative perceptions of young people and helping to build relationships across generations. Congratulations to tournament winners Blue Borough and well done to all the teams who trained so hard to prepare for the contest”.
