With the New Year gym rush underway, we’re partnering with Oldham Active to upskill their staff to provide specialist health and fitness support for children and young people.
Oldham Active manages six key leisure facilities across the borough and this link-up will initially see 30 of their workforce completing the specialist Level 2 Qualification in Leading Physical Activity for Adolescents.
This collaboration is designed to meet changing community demand that has seen a boom in the popularity of their ‘Young Person’s Membership’. A fifth of Oldham Active members are now aged 11-18 – and one in three new members is a young person.
Lauren Connis, Group Health and Fitness Brand Manager said: “The expert training Oldham College is providing means our staff will have the key skills to adapt physical training for young people, taking into account their specific physiological needs.”
“It will help our staff to teach, plan and advise young people on how best to exercise, plus support them on how to best communicate with teenagers. We’re delighted to work with Oldham College and our staff, aged 20–68, are thrilled to go ‘back to school’ to help with their own personal career development.”
Simon Jordan, Oldham College Principal and Chief Executive, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to use our staff’s expert knowledge to upskill Oldham Active staff and help to meet the growing demand from young people who want to make positive choices about their health and wellbeing.”
“This is a really great example of how our strong relationships with local partners are delivering significant social value – and also helping to fill skills gaps to respond to the changing needs of our local economy and communities.”
Edimar Malu, an Oldham Active Fitness Instructor who recently completed the training, added: “Through this qualification, I gained valuable insights into adolescent development and their specific physical requirements.”
“A lot of emphasis was placed on maintaining a high level of professionalism and fulfilling the duty of care when working with young people.
“The course has not only enhanced my confidence in working with adolescents but has also equipped me with the skills required for training and supervising them effectively during my shifts.”
A recent study found that 26 per cent of Year Six children in Oldham are obese, so the Young Person’s Membership – launched in October 2012 – is to encourage young people to make healthier life choices and feel confident and relaxed in facilities.
The development of the scheme includes launching young people-only group exercise classes, including its unique class, BLAST, using TechnoGym’s specialist curved treadmills, Skill Mills, SKI ergs, which replicate Nordic ski function movements, rowers, free-weights and other pieces of functional training kit. Oldham Active are also working collaboratively to introduce young persons’ Body Balance (inspired by yoga/tai chi/Pilates), Combat and Born to Move for 11 to 15-year-olds.
A parent or guardian must help the young person set up their membership, including completing an application form, health questionnaire and establishing the direct debit.
However, once the young person has had a complimentary full induction, including creating a bespoke fitness programme, they can use the gym and facilities independently, without an adult.
Oldham Active’s monthly membership package is £16.99 a month, which gives young people access to swim sessions, group classes and the gym, with seven days advanced booking, any time, any day, to all its leisure centres.
