Free fun Outdoor Fitness for Families and Young People All Summer

May 23, 2017 by Southend Borough Council

Southend young people and families can look forward to a summer of free weekly outdoor activities again, thanks to Coca-Cola Great Britain’s national ParkLives programme.

The borough was successful for the second year running in securing £1,000 funding to host the acclaimed scheme.

As a result Coca-Cola Great Britain, doorstep sports charity StreetGames and the Council have teamed up together to encourage young people and families of all abilities, to get outdoors, get fit, discover Southend’s local parks, meet new people and flourish.

Led by the Council’s Sport and Leisure Team, experienced instructors from community sport and physical activity organisations will deliver a whole range of activities in Southchurch and Chalkwell parks from May until September.

These free, fun, informal sessions will include Street basketball, Parkour (Freerunning), Dodgeball and Rounders.

The 16-week programme will be launched in Southchurch Park on Friday 26th May with a dodgeball and rounders session from 4:30pm until 6:30pm, with young people, families and ParkLives representatives and instructors.

Families and young people from across the town are invited to come along with their friends, join in the fun and sign up for vibrant and varied sporting activities free on their doorstep.

There are also exciting rewards and incentives on offer – the more activities you do, the more rewards you earn.

Scott Dolling, Director for Culture, Tourism and Property, said: “It is a real coup for Southend that we have secured this funding for the second year running. Last year more than 100 young people were engaged in the ParkLives Southend programme across Priory and Chalkwell parks. After consulting young people, we have changed one of our locations this year so that even more young people and families can have the opportunity to take part in the programme to help them lead more active and healthier lifestyles.

“With the support of ParkLives, we can keep highlighting the importance of our wonderful parks. They are free, easily accessible, social hubs of activity for young people and families. The sessions will really help tackle some of the barriers which people say can discourage them from taking part in physical activity such as cost, distance, lack of suitable and engaging provision and lack of others to join in with.”

For the full ParkLives Southend timetable, please visit www.parklives.com.

To book places for sessions, please contact the Council’s Sport and Leisure Team on 01702 212057 or email: getactive@southend.gov.uk