Five years of Park Active
A volunteer-led exercise programme in five borough parks has reached its fifth birthday.
Park Active, a programme of weekly volunteer-led exercise sessions, coordinated by Dudley Council, celebrates its fifth full year since the programme first launched in February 2019.
Since the programme launched there have been more than 4,500 total attendances and 50 volunteers have been trained.
The sessions are delivered in five parks across Dudley borough. These are Stevens Park - Quarry Bank, Buffery Park - Kates Hill, Abbey Street Park - Gornal, Stevens Park – Wollescote and Grange Park – Dudley.
The council recruits volunteers, who have usually never worked in the fitness industry before and trains them to deliver simple, outdoor circuit sessions. These are aimed at people of all ages and abilities but are especially popular with people who are not typically sporty. It is believed to be the only volunteer-led programme of its kind in the country.
The council co-ordinates and is responsible for the governance of the scheme but it is the volunteers who drive the programme forward and make the weekly sessions happen.
The council also works with Friends of Parks groups to help promote and sustain the classes.
Councillor Ian Bevan, cabinet member for public health, said:
“Park Active showcases how councils and communities can work together to create something great.
“Our volunteers are the reason why we have reached the five-year anniversary for Park Active. The programme is a testament to the kindness, adaptability and resilience of the volunteers. It would not have happened without them.
“I would also like to thank the Friends of the Parks groups where Park Active takes place, for their ongoing support.”
Mal Charles, is one of the volunteers at the Park Active session in Buffery Park. Based in Halesowen, he runs a storage letting company and is on call 7 days a week. The Park Active sessions give him valuable time to decompress as well benefitting those who attend the sessions. He’s been a volunteer for the last two years, building the attendance up with the help of three other volunteers after covid. They average about 8-10 participants per session but are always keen to welcome new members. He’s also a Wellbeing Walk leader.
He said:
“I absolutely love the Park Active sessions and the participants. They’re the reason I do it. I have a full-time job but delivering these sessions is great for me too. I thought it would be seasonal and that people would drop out in the winter but they’re all so keen. They turn up regardless of the weather, nothing puts them off.”
The group does a gentle warm up, plenty of stretching, aerobic exercise, muscle toning and standing yoga to cool down. Everything is delivered standing so people don’t get wet and muddy on the floor. The sessions also incorporates a range of functional fitness moves to assist people, especially older people, in day to day activities. This might be making sure they have the strength and flexibility to reach up to a high cupboard, lift heavy shopping bags or get up from a chair. While many the participants are older, people of all ages and abilities are welcome and Mal adapts his sessions accordingly.
Mal continues:
“We adapt everything to the age group and ability. We focus a lot on balance and coordination to reduce falls and build strength.
“We find that a lot of our participants have exercised indoors but actually they love being out in the fresh air add meeting up with other people. I'd say it's as good for people mentally as it is physically.
“Most of the members didn't know each other before they started the sessions but it's become a really good social group. we went out for coffee and mince pies after our workout session at Christmas. I’d definitely recommend Park Active as a way to first and foremost improve your health but also as a fantastic way to meet new people, enjoy our wonderful parks and get some really important down time and mental headspace which we all need whatever our age.”
Ruth Allen, 65, attends the weekend class at Abbey Street.
She said: “I find the Park Active sessions really enjoyable and fun. It’s a great way to start Saturday mornings!”
More on Park Active: https://lets-get.com/explore/healthy-hubs/park-active/