ACTIVE Stirling has exceeded more than one hundred referrals for their free ‘PEAK’’ membership scheme to support children and young people in care across Stirling, Scotland.
A total of 129 young people have accessed the free membership scheme, which has been running for over two years and provides unlimited access to The PEAK Leisure Centre for care-experienced young people aged 8-25 years.
Stirling Council social workers and educational staff identify young people who may benefit from physical activity in their lives and refer individuals to Active Stirling’s membership team.
These young people can enjoy the unlimited activity at the centre in the heart of Stirling, ranging from swimming, gym, fitness classes, skating and climbing. Additionally, each young person can be supported by a guardian, support worker or carer when accessing the facilities.
Matt Bunnell, Active Stirling’s Director of Operations: “We are delighted at Active Stirling to have exceeded this milestone of supporting more than one hundred young people in care across Stirling with free membership access to The PEAK. We stand together with our key partner Stirling Council in supporting young people in care, particularly with respect to providing them with opportunities to take part in activities that elevate their wellbeing and look forward to growing this provision for more young people in the future.”
In their wider commitment to breaking down barriers to sport and physical activity and tackling inequalities, Active Stirling attends quarterly corporate parenting meetings chaired by Stirling Council colleagues as part of a shared duty to help and support children and young people in care throughout the Stirling Council area.
The Corporate Parenting Group lead The Promise in Stirling, https://thepromise.scot/, which is a Scottish commitment to ensure care experienced children and young people grow up loved, safe and respected.
Cllr Gerry McGarvey, Convener of Stirling Council’s Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee said: “It’s fantastic that so many children and young people in care across Stirling are getting an opportunity to enjoy sports and physical activity at the award-winning PEAK facility through this free membership scheme.
“Care experienced young people may not be able to access sport and physical activity as easily as others, so this initiative is helping to break down barriers and making a real difference to the lives of participants, given the wide-ranging physical, mental and wellbeing benefits of being physically active.
“This is a great example of partners working collaboratively to ensure opportunities to lead active and healthy lifestyles are available for everyone in Stirling.”
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