Live Borders Funding Success
Focus on physical activity as Live Borders continues work to improve quality of life
Award winning leisure Trust Live Borders’ continued commitment to improving quality of life has been highlighted through a successful funding application focused on improving mental health and well-being through physical activity.
Working with two close community partners, the charity will benefit from a total of £60,000 – £45,000 through Borders Disability Sport and £15,000 from Clubsport Borders – in its bid to inspire positive lifestyle choices and expand participation levels across a range of target groups in the region.
Borders Disability Sport funds will provide 120 adults living with disabilities the opportunity to access a 12 month fully-funded gym membership at one of Live Borders’ facilities. In addition to positive mental health, the aim of the initiative is to reduce social isolation and the financial burden during the current high cost of living. A portion of the funding will also be used to support and train staff in disability inclusion so that service standards are appropriate for the client group.
Clubsport Borders has allocated an additional £15,000 to widen the Headstrong programme and to instigate key mental health and suicide prevention conversations across sports clubs in the Borders. The project also seeks to provide tutor training for clubs so that they have a sustainable way to lead this initiative on an ongoing basis.
As it works to get more people, more active, more often, award winning Live Borders has also been working in partnership with Active Schools to provide higher-quality opportunities for young people to take part in sports and physical activities.
Leading into the final quarter of 2023, over 200 P6/7 pupils underwent leadership training with Active Schools Coordinators. Since then, and as a result of the training, a range of activities have taken place in local schools including P7-led break and lunchtime sessions and multi-sport clubs for younger pupils. Such initiatives showcase the positive effect of youth leadership training in the Borders.
In addition, 24 festivals and competitions took place for primary school-aged children throughout the last school term covering hockey, rugby and netball, while over 400 pupils also took part in Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) ceilidhs in Galashiels and Hawick.
More volunteers are needed to continue the great work of Active Schools. Whether you can spare an hour a week for six weeks or assist at a one-off festival, your contribution will be highly appreciated. You can contact Live Borders on 01896 661166 and ask for information.
Another success was the much-anticipated Skerryvore gig at Hawick Town Hall in December which ended a busy quarter for Live Borders’ Arts & Creativity team. Over 2300 tickets were sold for events in Live Borders’ town hall venues and Heart of Hawick from October to December 2023.
Live Borders events return in March with acts including comedian Kieran Hodgson (aka Gordon from the BBC’s ‘Two Doors Down’) in Melrose Corn Exchange and Britain’s Got Talent winner Richard Jones (aka The Military Illusionist) at Hawick Town Hall.
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