Halton’s Sports Development Team have won an award from Active Through Football for their work supporting communities to become more active.
Active Through Football is an exciting programme from Sport England, funded throughout Merseyside by the National Lottery and the Football Foundation, to increase physical activity for people aged 16 and over from lower socio-economic groups.
The local programme, led by the Council’s Sports Development Team, is supporting targeted communities in Halton to be more active, creating opportunities to improve health and wellbeing.
Sessions in Halton have been tailored specifically to the wants and needs of the community with a focus on bringing people together to improve the wider determinants of health.
Brookvale Active Through Football is a free ‘come and play’ session for men aged over 18 every Friday 4pm- 5pm. It’s a great opportunity to try football or get back involved with football, at any level of ability. Most Fridays involve playing a small-sided game and it’s also proven a great opportunity to meet new people.
Active Bingo at Frank Myler Pavilion in Widnes allows older adults at risk of social isolation and increasing health problems stay active and socialise while playing the classic game of bingo. Active Bingo has proven popular with older adults who enjoy the fun theme of bingo with a few helpful chair exercises and a chance to have a natter and a cuppa.
Cllr Paul Nolan, Halton Borough Council’s portfolio holder for sport and leisure, says: “This is great news! Congratulations to the team – it is well-deserved. Providing opportunities and support for people to get out, be more active and socialise with others is really important for health and wellbeing, and these projects that the team run in the community are having a positive impact on people’s lives.”
Photos: Below: Sport and Physical Activity Officers Paula Parle and Jonny Fraser, and above with Active through Football Manager for Merseyside, Richard Jones.
