With four out of five primary school children not getting enough exercise and research showing that active parents can be positive role models, The Pankhurst Trust’s Elaine DeFries knows the money will make a real difference.
“Some of our families’ experiences have been negative – for many reasons,” said the director of operations. “Some around domestic violence and sometimes because of the mental health issues that ensue because of that abuse.
“So, this will be a positive thing for the whole family to be involved in. It will strengthen family bonds, it will strengthen parent-child bonds and between siblings.
“It is about doing something together, which is therapeutic and healing and good for your health generally.”
families potentially supported by the find
The 22 projects we support will focus on helping families who are either on a low income, or have low levels of education or employment.
Parents and family members who are active themselves, and enjoy it, can encourage positive feelings about exercise and its value in their children.
Yet many parents lack the skills or confidence to take part in sport with their children as they fear they cannot keep up.
“This project will help them embed in communities. It will help them with cohesion. It will help the wellbeing of the whole family, the children and the parents,” added Elaine.
“There will be core families in refuge that we will work with really intensely because their needs are higher.
“They have had disrupted lives and have suffered, generally, the worst types of domestic abuse. But we’ve got lots and lots of other families in the community that we work with as a domestic abuse service. And they’ll all benefit as well.”
The Pankhurst Trust will provide intensive support to families, in order to shape their own sport and activity experiences.
They will also provide access passes, travel, subsistence and incentives for completing a course of activity.
