Get Out Get Active partner with ThruLife in Haringey
Get Out Get Active is teaming up with Thru Life to spark positive change in local communities. Our partners Haringey Council are working with Thru Life to bring disabled and non-disabled young people together through physical activity sessions.
Thru Life is a community interest company based in East Haringey. They believe that young people can positively impact their communities to make a difference in society.
Thru Life has been working on the Ferry Lane Estate for the last two years to build strong relationships and trust with the community. The Ferry Lane Estate is based in Tottenham Hale, which is among the 20% of the most deprived areas in the country.
The GOGA Haringey team came on board to help Thru Life reach out to young people, parents, carers, guardians, and local businesspeople on the Ferry Lane estate. They learnt more about what the local issues were, as well as what they thought would be good to see delivered on the estate.
Young people wanted to have a place to be with friends and play sport. Meanwhile, parents and guardians wanted young people to have a safe place where they could socialise without the risk of being involved in gangs, crimes or antisocial behaviour.
As a high percentage of young people were also overweight, Thru Life wanted to design a Fun and Fitness Thru Sport programme, which would feature football, basketball and fitness sessions.
The GOGA Haringey team were on hand to support this programme through the introduction of the GOGA ingredients. Outreach focused on places like GP practices, as well as local schools.
The physical activity sessions are not only supporting healthier lifestyles in the community, but are also helping young people work on their communication too. Attendees have their own mentors to help them learn new skills and reach their potential without the fear of being judged.
The sessions are also helping to break down stigmas and promote inclusivity. As one of the lead coaches is a disabled person, they have been able to challenge young people’s perceptions of disabled people, and encourage attendees of all backgrounds to work together in physical activity.
Just under fifty participants joined the session in the first three months of the project. Over 90% of these attendees lived in East Haringey, and 78% were from an ethnically diverse background.
The project has become the heart of the community on Ferry Lane Estate, bringing disabled and non-disabled young people together from all walks of life. They have been able to socialise, make new friends, and now have a safe place to go to enjoy physical activity.
This story is part of our campaign, #TheGOGAWay. Showing how the GOGA approach can help organisations do things differently across the UK.
About Get Out Get Active
Get Out Get Active (GOGA) is a programme that supports disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy being active together. Activity Alliance is the creator and lead partner. The programme is funded by Spirit of 2012, Sport England and London Marathon Charitable Trust.