Move for Fun aims to activate children in vulnerable communities
Physical inactivity is a leading contributor to global mortality rates. It is estimated that up to 5 million deaths per year could be averted if the global population was more active. Children and young adults from vulnerable communities in particular are statistically much less active, which leads to poor health, low self-esteem, worse mental health, and lower academic outcomes.
The vision of Move For Fun is to activate 100,000 children in vulnerable and underprivileged communities in three countries (United Kingdom, Poland, Argentina) by providing them with equal access to the joy of movement and sense of community that can provide a pathway to happier and healthier lives.
Piloting in the UK
Salford is an area of multiple deprivation and so was a targeted area for the programme. Through the Salford School Sport Partnership 6 schools were identified to participate. One of these schools is Irlam Endowed Primary School, whose pupils face many barriers to participation including social, economic and health deprivation. However, the school has a strong pupil voice and through their student council, a range of different activities were chosen, including water polo, to keep their peers motivated.
Since the programme started the children have been completing their weekly GO indicators. At first all were identifying Go Fun as their most important reason for being involved in Move For Fun but in recent weeks their teacher has noticed a change. The children are now identifying GO Fit and how the activities are improving their fitness and Go Together as they are using activities to develop more friendships.
Move For Fun is a global pilot program funded by Novo Nordisk and developed in a partnership with the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) and Danish sports association (DGI) alongside other partner organisations in pilot countries. Youth Sport Trust International is the delivery partner for the UK.
For more information please visit Youth Sport Trust International.
About the partners
Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases, built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 61,400 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries.
ISCA
International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) is a global umbrella association with an active community of 3,669 MOVE Agents and a democratic backbone of 81 member organisations, all of which are national and local promoters of sport, play and physical activity. We develop and deploy concepts to empower organisations worldwide to get citizens from all walks of life more physically active.
DGI
DGI is the biggest “sport for all” association in Denmark, focusing exclusively on strengthening and promoting physical activity and sport participation for all citizens through local clubs and communities. DGI collaborates with a wide range of partners to promote health and social wellbeing. The organisation has 6,600 member associations with 1.7 million volunteers. More than 30,000 volunteers, coaches and leaders attend courses at DGI every year.