Active Communities Investment Project shines in first year in Upper Hutt - Key projects
Key projects
The project’s Manager Matt Warren left the project recently to take up another position. Community Services Manager Andrea Curtis has been closely involved since inception and shares her knowledge.
The Upper Hutt “GOLD” (Growing Old Living Dangerously) programme has provided opportunities for older adults to experience new forms of activities including kayaking, archery and rock climbing. Andrea says “GOLD” is a good example of adapting a successful and proven model. The concept came from the Brisbane City Council.
- A Youthtown after school programme for 7 – 13 year-olds is about to be enhanced by delivery of a 30-seater bus, which will add huge value to the community. The programme has had excellent feedback and has grown by word of mouth to an average of 30 children a day. The programme combines a mix of leaning, physical activity, social interaction and quiet time.
- Lively Parks began last summer with two primary aims. The first was to get more people using the local parks as an active space and the second was to give people the opportunity to experience new activities. Local providers staged their normal activities in local parks for people to have a go for free. The activities ranged from Pilates to a 5km run series. As well as increasing park usage, some providers also achieved their goal of increasing membership.
- A multi-sport development programme was developed late last year funded by Youthtown. The programme gave 25 young athletes the opportunity to have professional coaching. Many went on to successfully compete in local multi-sport events. Many of the youth-based programmes have been developed as a result of the UHCC Youth Survey. The 2007 Survey showed that Upper Hutt young people wanted reasons to be proud of living in the area.
- The Xtream Activation programme comprises of a circuit class delivered through schools, and is designed to include both children and their parents before school, at lunchtime or after school. Seven schools were provided with equipment through a Lion Foundation grant. The schools retain the ownership of the equipment, which should assist with future sustainability of such programmes. Nearly 2,500 children have participated.
- School partnerships led to the development of an Olympic Day event. One event was held at the Upper Hutt City Library, with a second was held at Silverstream School. Guest speaker Mike Walsh (former women’s Black Sox coach), talked about his Olympic experience and a DVD of the Beijing Olympic Village was shown. In all, a total of 470 children took part.
Updated | 10 Oct 2008.
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