Oldham Greenhill are a charity based organisation which facilitates an indoor 4G pitch, children's indoor play centre, community rooms and community Cafe. They host various community events, activities, holiday camps and tournaments.
H, a 14-year-old in the Glodwick area, often found herself with time on her hands that was mostly filled with indoor activities. Traditional sports clubs hadn't really captured her interest, and her mum, hoping to encourage more activity and social interaction, suggested she try the free sessions at the local sports and recreation club. Initially hesitant, H decided to attend.
The project's aim was to offer diverse and accessible activities for young people like her, fostering physical activity, creativity, and community connections.
To her surprise, H found herself drawn to the arts and craft activities. She had always enjoyed being creative privately, but the project sessions offered guidance and new techniques in a fun environment. This sparked a genuine interest and provided a new avenue for self-expression.
Unexpectedly, she also started participating in the circuit training. The short, manageable exercises and the encouraging atmosphere created by the instructors made it feel less daunting than she had imagined.
While the educational workshops were geared towards adults, the overall positive and supportive vibe of the project subtly reinforced the benefits of an active lifestyle and trying new things. The fact that all these opportunities were free removed any financial barrier for her family.
Over the weeks, H experienced tangible positive changes. She found herself with more energy and even started walking or cycling to the sessions with a new friend she had made there, indicating an increase in her overall physical activity. More significantly, she discovered a real passion for some of the art techniques she learned, which she continued to explore independently, giving her a fulfilling new hobby.
Initially shy, H also formed meaningful connections with other young people at the sessions, expanding her social circle and alleviating feelings of boredom. Successfully engaging in new activities, both artistic and physical, boosted her confidence and encouraged her to step outside her comfort zone.
Instead of defaulting to screen time, H began to look forward to the project sessions, finding a more balanced and engaging way to spend her leisure time.
In essence, the project provided H with a platform to discover new passions, become more active, build friendships, and grow in confidence, demonstrating the significant positive impact such accessible and varied community initiatives can have on young people.