100th Active Communities Grant awarded to Woodlands Community Library Champions

Woodlands Community Library Champions are the 100th recipient of an Active Communities Grant, to support the setup of a new SITFIT exercise class.

Active Communities Grants of up to £500 are available to local residents, groups and organisations to fund ideas that support people living in Doncaster to be more active. Grants are awarded for a variety of uses. Recent examples include funding to support the hosting of a family-fun sport event, to pilot a new community exercise class, to fund sports equipment for a tennis group, and to provide access to training to upskill leaders of a running group.

Woodlands Community Library Champions will use their grant to go towards room hire and instructor costs, as well as to purchase a CD player for use at the new SITFIT sessions. This will allow the class to establish itself, with a view for it to become self-sustainable in the future.

SITFIT is chair based exercise class, looking to improve fitness, balance, mobility, flexibility and strength. Woodlands Community Library Champions listened to residents and identified a local need for a gentle exercise class to build up the health and wellbeing of those either new to exercising and/or recovering from operations or other medical treatments. As well as the physical health benefits of the class, the class also supports mental health and wellbeing of those attending by providing an opportunity to socialise, meet new people and have fun.

Councillor Nigel Ball, Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Leisure, Culture and Planning, City of Doncaster Council commented:

"I'm pleased that through the Active Communities Grant fund we have now been able to support over 100 ideas from people and groups across Doncaster to encourage people to be active.

Woodlands Community Library Champions are a great example of how Active Communities Grants can help get an idea off the ground and open up new opportunities to be active for local people.

Many people are eligible to apply for an Active Communities Grant and our Well Doncaster Officers are able to help you with the application process and answer any questions you may have."

Jackie Thickett, Woodlands Community Library said: "The funding we secured to enable us to run this class has been a huge boost for the library and the customers. It is fantastic to see the ladies getting motivated and having fun as well as being encouraged and inspired. This class has brought people together, and we really enjoy joining in too. It's absolutely great to have this in our library."

Active Communities Grants are possible thanks to funds allocated to City of Doncaster Council by Sport England, specifically to fund the Council's Get Doncaster Moving 'Local Delivery Pilot' which is a project that looks to explore and create new ways to get more people physically active. The grants are managed by Get Doncaster Moving and Well Doncaster.

Visit the webpage for further details, including an information pack and the online application form: www.getdoncastermoving.org/active-communities

SITFIT takes place every Wednesday 10:45-11:30 at Woodlands Library, priced at £3 per class.