Active Hull

"It's a case of small differences making big changes. I want to encourage and make it possible for more people to take up at least half-an-hour of moderate exercise a day." - Chris Oakley

How £750,000 is available to boost health and fitness in the city

If you don't exercise you could be at risk of obesity and heart disease.
It's Chris Oakley's job to help people take up exercise and make it part of their daily routine.
That may sound a tough task- especially for those people who find walking from their front door to their car a struggle.
But Chris works to a very simple but effective formula.
"It's a case of small differences making big changes. I want to encourage and make it possible for more people to take up at least half-an-hour of moderate exercise a day.
"By doing that, they would benefit from big changes in their general health - it would help them lose weight, and reduce their risk of developing serious health conditions such as heart disease."

Active Hull

Chris is co-ordinator of a programme called Active Hull, for which £750,000 has been made available from Sport England and the Big Lottery Fund.
The money will be spread between three community sports associations - each in a different area of the city (see below).
"Active Hull is a three-year project, but we want it to be sustainable, and have a positive impact well beyond its close in 2009," added Chris, who is employed by Hull City Council.
"The council did all the hard work on the bid to get the money, and it will now advise and assist the three community sports associations to really make the most of the project.
"Active Hull is for everyone in the three districts of the city, especially people who, for whatever reason, have not been regular visitors to a gym, swimming pool or sports pitch," added Chris.
"Some people don't have the motivation and think sport is not for them, but by starting at a gentle pace they can build up their health, fitness and confidence, slowly but surely."

Boost for Bransholme

The North Bransholme Sports Forum has been working in the local community since 1999. Its facilities include two multi-use games arenas, a fully functional gym, and a community cafe to promote healthy eating.
The Active Hull project will enable more local people to use its facilities by creating extra fitness sessions with increased instructor time. There will also be after-school sports clubs, and holiday sports activities for children up to the age of 16.
Another scheme which will benefit as part of Active Hull is called Bransholme Buddies. The scheme involves a vehicle equipped with sports equipment being driven to areas known as 'hot spots' for crime and antisocial behaviour. Children and young people are then encouraged to turn their energies to a sporting activity such as 'quick cricket'.

West Hull Community Sports Club

This club grew from small beginnings in 1961 to become the most successful amateur rugby league club in the country, with a playing membership of over 300.
With an established and regular coaching programme, it is now able to extend its membership through the Active Hull project to include other sports. Its membership starts with six-year-olds and goes through to adults.
The volunteer base running the club spans all ages, from teenagers to retired people.
Although it has a successful track record, the club now has an opportunity through Active Hull to provide a base for more sporting activity, with its move to permanent premises adjacent to Francis Askew Primary School.
As well as rugby league, the West Hull Community Sports Group can now offer two multi-use games arenas, an archery club, a cheerleading squad, holiday activities for children up to the age of 16, and two five-a-side football clubs.
There will also be a beginners' walking club, and schools across the west of the city will be invited to become partners in the scheme to help more children become physically active.

Brand-new fitness centre

Active Hull will also make use of the Octagon Fitness Centre, which has been recently opened in Walker Street by the Goodwin Development Trust.
There is a gym, a floodlit all-weather sports pitch, Wednesday night football sessions, and after-school health and fitness clubs for children.
People will be able to make use of a GP referral scheme if they have any health problems, such as obesity or asthma.
Single mums who have had no access to childcare, and as a result lacked the opportunity to take part in sport and leisure, are strongly encouraged to use the new centre.
Putting it simply, any real or perceived barriers that stop people becoming more active will be tackled to create a more Active Hull.