Summer holiday activities

Need some entertainment during the summer holidays?

We have lots of fun activities on offer across our Active Nottingham leisure centres. See below what is happening:

Clifton Leisure Centre: 

Swimming

Choose from Swim for All with Flume, Swim for Fun or Notts Splash Tots this summer:

Pre-booking is required and bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. The times and information provided were correct when going to print and may change without notice. For up-to-date timings, please click here.

Little Treasures Soft Play 

A two-story play frame packed full of challenges for your child. Pirates and princesses can explore the Octopus lair and the fun hanging features of the biff snakes – a unique and challenging under-the-sea adventure. Suitable for toddlers as well as children, with different designated areas to keep everyone on the hunt for treasure!

Pre-booking is required. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance via the Active Nottingham app or here.

Birthday Parties

Don’t forget to enquire today about our birthday parties at Clifton, we even have an amazing party room to make your child’s birthday extra special. With a range of children’s party packages available, Clifton is the perfect choice for your celebrations.

Djanogly Community Leisure Centre: 

Join friends and family at Djanogly Community Leisure Centre this summer with their Swim for Fun (1m depth), Swim for All (1m depth) and Splash About (0.30m depth) sessions.

Pre-booking is required and bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. The times and information provided were correct when going to print and may change without notice. For up-to-date timings, please click here.

Ken Martin Leisure Centre: 

Join friends and family at Ken Martin Leisure Centre this summer at their Swim for Fun sessions.

Pre-booking is required and bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. The times and information provided were correct when going to print and may change without notice. For up-to-date timings, please click here.

Harvey Hadden Sports Village – programme starts Monday 31 July 2023

Pool Parties/Pool Disco

Join us by the pool with friends and family and splash about with our pool inflatables.

H20 Water Obstacle Course

Are you ready to take on the H20 Challenge at Harvey Hadden Sports Village? It’s a great family activity, suitable for children aged 6 and above! This a fun and brilliant way to get active with a difference – try not to fall and see who can get to the finish line first!

Will you rise to the Challenge or make a splash? For more information on dates, how to book and to read the safety details click here.

Pre-booking is required and bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. The times and information provided were correct when going to print and may change without notice.

Southglade Leisure Centre: 

Pool Parties

Join us by the pool with friends and family and splash about with our pool inflatables.

Swim for Fun with Flume

A great way to work on your swimming skills whilst enjoying our great flume ride! (Height restrictions apply – 1.2 meters minimum, single riders only).

Notts Splash Tots

A swim session for aged five and under with floats and toys. Designed to introduce children to swimming and develop water confidence.

Pre-booking is required. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. The times and information provided were correct when going to print and may change without notice. For up-to-date timings, please click here.

Victoria Leisure Centre:

Join friends and family at Victoria Leisure Centre this summer with their Swim for Fun and Swim for All sessions.

Pre-booking is required. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. The times and information provided were correct when going to print and may change without notice. For up-to-date timings, please click here.

Active Nottingham wins an internationally recognised health and safety accolade from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)

Active Nottingham, part of Nottingham City Council, has scooped a prestigious RoSPA Gold Award in the Leisure Safety category for the fourth time, demonstrating its commitment to high health and safety standards.

In addition to the RoSPA Gold Award, Active Nottingham was also presented with the RoSPA Leisure Safety Trophy; which is given to the overall highest performer within the Leisure Safety Award category and recognises excellence in health and safety management.

The RoSPA Health and Safety Awards is the UK’s largest occupational health and safety awards programme. Now into its 67th year, the Awards have almost 2,000 entries every year, covering nearly 50 countries and a reach of over seven million employees. The programme recognises organisations’ commitment to continuous improvement in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work, looking at entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

While most awards are non-competitive – recognising individual organisations’ achievements – competitive awards are presented in 20 industry sectors and for specialist areas of health and safety management.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis said: “I am thrilled the team have achieved Gold at the RoSPA Awards. To achieve this for a fourth time is a credit to the hard work of the management team and staff at each of our leisure centres, who ensure the safety of our customers is a top priority.

“I’m delighted Active Nottingham has been recognised, for being one of the best in the country within the leisure industry, even more so with the addition of the RoSPA Leisure Safety Trophy.”

Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “Accidents at work and work-related ill health don’t just have huge financial implications or cause major disruption – they significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. That’s why good safety performance deserves to be recognised and rewarded.

“We are thrilled that Active Nottingham has won a RoSPA Award and would like to congratulate them on showing an unwavering commitment to keeping their employees, clients and customers safe from accidental harm and injury.”

Sponsored by Croner-i, the RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest-running of its kind in the UK, and receives entries from organisations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards for the health and safety industry.

Pictured left to right:
Errol Taylor – RoSPA, Chief Executive.
Geoff Ritson – Nottingham City Council, Sport and Leisure – Health, Safety and Training Manager

ENDS

Notes to Editor(s)

• Active Nottingham operates six leisure centres across the city of Nottingham: Clifton Leisure Centre, Djanogly Community Leisure Centre, Harvey Hadden Sports Village, Ken Martin Leisure Centre, Southglade Leisure Centre and Victoria Leisure Centre. Visit www.activenottingham.com for more information or to find your nearest centre.
• About the RoSPA Awards
  The RoSPA Awards is one of the most prestigious and recognised health and safety schemes in the world with almost 2,000 entries every year from more than 50 countries, with a total reach of over seven million employees. Running for nearly 70 years, it recognises and rewards organisations, individuals and teams that go above and beyond to achieve health and safety excellence.
• About the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
  RoSPA is a not-for-profit organisation that has worked for more than 100 years to help people recognise and reduce their risk of accidents, at home, on the road, at work and at leisure. Their goal is to enable everyone to live their lives to the full, safely. For further information on RoSPA and its history, please see here.

May Half Term holiday activities

Need some entertainment during the school holidays?

We offer many fun activities across our Active Nottingham leisure centres. (Please note, the information advertised below was correct at the time of going to print. Always check the live timetables for any alterations prior to making any journeys).

See below what is happening:

Clifton Leisure Centre: 30 May – 2 June 2023

Swimming

• Tuesday to Thursday: 10.30 am to 11.15 am – Swim for All with Flume in the leisure pool
• Tuesday to Thursday: 1.30 pm to 2.15 pm – Swim for Fun in the main pool
• Tuesday to Thursday: 2.30 pm to 3.15 pm – Swim for All with Flume in the leisure pool

Pre-booking is required for both the Swim for Fun and Swim for All with Flume sessions. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. Timings are subject to change without prior notice, the times shown above were correct when going to press. Please check the Active Nottingham app or timetable for the most up-to-date timings.

Little Treasures Soft Play

A two-story play frame packed full of challenges for your child. Pirates and princesses can explore the Octopus lair and the fun hanging features of the biff snakes – a unique and challenging under-the-sea adventure. Suitable for toddlers and children, with different designated areas to keep everyone on the hunt for treasure!

Little Treasures is open Monday to Friday 9 am – 6 pm and from 9 am – 3 pm on weekends – excluding Bank Holidays when the centre is closed.

Pre-booking is required. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. Timings are subject to change without prior notice, the times shown above were correct when going to press. Please check the Active Nottingham app or timetable for the most up-to-date timings.

Birthday Parties

Clifton Leisure Centre has a range of children’s party packages available, perfect for any celebrations you might be having.

Djanogly Community Leisure Centre: 30 May – 4 June 2023

Join friends and family at Djanogly Community Leisure Centre for Swim for Fun, Splash About and Swim for All sessions.

Please note – Djanogly Community Leisure Centre will also extend its health suite opening between 30 May and 4 June 2023. Please refer to the app or timetable for times and availability.

Pre-booking is required. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. Timings are subject to change without prior notice. Please check the Active Nottingham app or timetable for the most up-to-date timings.

Ken Martin Leisure Centre: 30 May – 2 June 2023

Swim for Fun:

• Tuesday: 10:00 am to 11:00 am & 13:30 pm to 14:30 pm
• Wednesday: 13:30 pm to 14:30 pm
• Thursday: 10:00 am to 11:00 am & 13:30 pm to 14:30 pm
• Friday: 10:00 am to 11:00 am & 13:30 pm to 14:30 pm

Pre-booking is required. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. Timings are subject to change without prior notice, the times shown above were correct when going to press. Please check the Active Nottingham app or timetable for the most up-to-date timings.

Harvey Hadden Sports Village: 30 May – 2 June 2023

Pool Parties

Join us by the pool with friends and family and splash about with our pool inflatables. Available on:

• Tuesday 30 May: 09:45 am to 10:45 am and a Pool Disco from 11:00 am to 12noon
• Thursday 1 June: 09:45 am to 10:45 am and a Pool Disco from 11:00 am to 12noon

H20 Water Obstacle Course

Are you ready to take on the H20 Challenge at Harvey Hadden Sports Village? It’s a great family activity, suitable for children aged 6 and above! This a fun and brilliant way to get active with a difference – try not to fall and see who can get to the finish line first!

Will you rise to the Challenge or make a splash? For more information on dates, how to book and to read the safety details click here.

Pre-booking is required for all pool parties and H20 Water Obstacle Course sessions. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. Timings are subject to change without prior notice, the times shown above were correct when going to press. Please check the Active Nottingham app or timetable for the most up-to-date timings.

Southglade Leisure Centre: 30 May – 2 June 2023

Pool Parties

When are the pool parties? Every Tuesday and Thursday, between 30 May and 2 June 2023. Session times:

• 1.15 pm – 2.15 pm
• 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm

Pre-booking is required. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. So grab your swimming clothes, get a booking and we’ll see you by the pool. Timings are subject to change without prior notice, the times shown above were correct when going to press. Please check the Active Nottingham app or timetable for the most up-to-date timings.

Swim for Fun with Flume

A great way to work on your swimming skills whilst enjoying our great flume ride! (Height restrictions apply – 1.2 meters minimum, single riders only).

When are the Swim for Fun with Flume sessions? Session times are listed below, including Pool Party times:

Pre-booking is required. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. So grab your swimming clothes, get a booking and we’ll see you by the pool. Timings are subject to change without prior notice, the times shown above were correct at the time of going to press. Please check the Active Nottingham app or timetable for the most up-to-date timings.

Victoria Leisure Centre: 30 May – 2 June 2023

Join friends and family at Victoria Leisure Centre with their Swim for Fun and Swim for All sessions this half term.

• Tuesday 30 May:
  • 13:30 to 13:30 pm, Swim for Fun – both pools
  • 14:45 to 15:00 pm, Swim for All – main pool
• Wednesday 31 May:
  • 09:30 to 10:30 am, Swim for Fun – small pool
  • 10:45 to 11:45 am, Swim for All – main pool
  • 13:30 to 14:30, Swim for Fun – both pools
• Thursday 1 June:
  • 09:00 to 10:00 am, Swim for Fun – main pool
  • 10:00 to 11:00 am, Swim for Fun – small pool
  • 15:00 to 16:00 pm, Swim for All – main pool
• Friday 2 June:
  • 10:00 to 11:00 am, Swim for Fun – main pool
  • 11:00 to 12noon, Swim for Fun – small pool
  • 13:30 to 14:30 pm, Swim for Fun – both pools

Pre-booking is required. Bookings can be made up to 7 days in advance. Timings are subject to change without prior notice, the times shown above were correct when going to press. Please check the Active Nottingham app or timetable for the most up-to-date timings.

*Activities per site may vary and are subject to availability. Pre-booking required. Timings are subject to change without prior notice. Please check the Active Nottingham app or timetable for the most up-to-date timings.

Active Nottingham swimming pools awarded PoolMark Accreditation

Swimmers attending any of the six Active Nottingham swimming pools, part of Nottingham City Council, can be assured they meet the highest quality standards after achieving the PoolMark Accreditation from the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG).

The Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) is the leading authority on swimming pool operation, water treatment and technical information relating to health and safety.

PoolMark is the UK National Standard for quality, healthy pools. The PoolMark certification assures operators and the public that the pool meets essential healthy pool operational standards.

Pools that follow and achieve the Code’s standards through assessment are awarded a plaque and certificate to show their achievement.

Jonathan Cook (Swimming Pools Technical Officer) and Ian Dunphy (Assistant Manager/Project Lead) from Clifton Leisure Centre (pictured above) said: “We’re proud to have undertaken this journey for Active Nottingham’s swimming pools. It’s a first for Nottingham City, as only 42 swimming pools (out of the 800+ pools in the UK) have been accredited, and we have six of those – it’s a huge achievement for us.”

To find your nearest Active Nottingham swimming pool visit, www.activenottingham.com/centres/

Digital improvements for Active Nottingham customers for 2023

Members of Active Nottingham leisure centres are set to benefit from improvements to their accounts, making bookings and payments easier.

The introduction of a new Leisure Management System (LMS) in late spring 2023 at Active Nottingham, part of Nottingham City Council, will offer members more control over their fitness.

The new software, provided by Legend, aims to deliver more flexibility, streamline bookings and payments and make it easier for citizens to access leisure centre services. The system will also enable Active Nottingham to gain better insights into its customer base through improved tracking and reporting systems.

John Wileman, Head of Sport and Leisure for Active Nottingham, said: “The introduction of a new Leisure Management System is an exciting time for Active Nottingham as the improved features will allow residents more flexibility when it comes to managing their account, booking online and via the mobile app.

“Combined with the gym improvement project at Clifton Leisure Centre and Harvey Hadden Sports Village, 2023 is set to be an exciting year for us.”

Implementation of the new system will be rolled out in late Spring 2023 and further updates will be provided via the Active Nottingham website in the coming weeks.

Active Nottingham gyms undergo a major transformation

The gyms at Harvey Hadden Sports Village and Clifton Leisure Centre are currently being transformed as part of a wider £1.5m investment for new equipment and set to reopen to the public on Tuesday 28 March 2023.

The average lifespan for a cardio machine is five years and the costs to repair will outstrip the value of the machine, resulting in a higher repair bill. This £1.5m cash injection will make sure each centre has new kit for gym-goers to use.

The money has been set aside to support the income generated from customers, allowing the investment to be made without the need for borrowing or impacting on wider day-to-day council services.

Active Nottingham, which is part of Nottingham City Council, is investing the money over five years across all of its six leisure centres – Harvey Hadden, Clifton, Ken Martin, Southglade, Victoria and Djanogly.

The revamp at Clifton and Harvey Hadden features premium equipment from Life Fitness, Hammer Strength and ICG ® – suitable for all training interests and fitness levels. The new kit will also feature immersive digital experiences with new cardio consoles, a functional zone with a stretching area and environmentally friendly Green Zones with self-powered equipment so more can be done to help the environment.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “it was great to visit the gym at Clifton Leisure Centre this week during the installation process, to see the new and improved facilities, meet the team and see their excitement for the gym to reopen. I’m confident these improvements will become a real asset to the community.

“We are refurbishing all Active Nottingham gyms across the city, to make sure wherever people live, they have the opportunity and access to high-quality fitness equipment.”

On Monday 27 March, both Clifton Leisure Centre and Harvey Hadden Sports Village will reopen their doors to the gym for a VIP Open Day, where Master Trainers from Life Fitness will be on hand to help customers utilise the new equipment. Members will also be invited to bring along a friend for free for the day.

To tie in with the reopening, residents will be able to take advantage of a special joining offer of three-month Fitness+ membership for £70 (a saving of £40) when visiting either Clifton or Harvey Hadden Sports Village.

For more information on the refurbishment project, visit Active Nottingham’s website here.

Benefits exercise has on our mental health

Reduces stress

Exercise reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol

Improves sleep

Are you finding it difficult to drop off? Try a short workout or brisk walk. A single 30-minute workout can reduce the time it takes you to fall asleep and help you sleep longer overall.

Increases motivation

Exercise increases the production of endorphins that help you to produce a feeling of positivity, helping us to keep motivated.

Reduces social isolation

Joining a group fitness class or team sport, or even a parkrun is a great way to meet new people or to grow your friendship circle. Find an activity you enjoy and share it with like-minded people. For fitness class ideas, check out our activity page.

Improves symptoms of depression

Exercising regularly builds up resources that bolster resilience against our negative emotions.

Active Nottingham set to invest £1.5m in gym equipment

Gyms at Harvey Hadden Sports Village and Clifton Leisure Centre are in line to receive a share of £1.5m for new equipment over the next few months.

Active Nottingham, which is part of Nottingham City Council, is set to invest the money over five years across all of its six leisure centres – Harvey Hadden, Clifton, Ken Martin, Southglade, Victoria and Djanogly.

Harvey Hadden and Clifton will be the first in line to receive new equipment from Spring 2023.

The average lifespan for a cardio machine is five years and the costs to repair will outstrip the value of the machine, resulting in a higher repair bill.

This £1.5m cash injection will make sure each centre has new kit for gym-goers to use.

Active Nottingham has set money aside to support the income generated from customers, allowing the investment to be made without the need for borrowing or impacting on wider day-to-day council services.

With increasing membership numbers and by listening to members, replacing old equipment will improve customer satisfaction as well as mental and physical health and wellbeing.

It will also allow Active Nottingham to remain competitive in an ever-growing sport and leisure marketplace – especially as today’s gym-goer wants to see smart technology on fitness equipment to enhance the gym experience.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “I am pleased we are investing in our residents’ mental health and wellbeing by replacing the current gym equipment. This will play an important role in the promotion of getting more people active within our community.”

John Wileman, Head of Sport and Leisure for Active Nottingham, said: “This is great news for our members and local residents at each of the six Active Nottingham locations. We are always looking to improve and replacing our equipment means our gyms are not just great to use, but we are directly helping the city of Nottingham.”

The state-of-the-art fitness equipment will be purchased by Active Nottingham over the next five years, providing an enhanced gym experience to residents and members at Active Nottingham’s six leisure centres.

Active Nottingham Leisure Centre first in the country to be recognised for tackling inequalities

Active Nottingham’s Ken Martin Leisure Centre (part of Nottingham City Council) in Nottingham has become the first leisure centre in the country to achieve the Quest Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard, demonstrating its commitment to tackling inequalities.

The Tacking Inequalities in Leisure accolade was bestowed on the centre as part of its Sport England Quest assessment, which measures how well a facility is operating and how effective organisations are across a range of areas.

First established more than 20 years ago, the renowned Quest award has evolved over the years to keep pace with the ever-changing sport and leisure industry, now including aspects such as the Tackling Inequalities assessment and an Exercise on Referral Standard.  Still the sector’s best-known improvement programme, its rigorous assessments challenge even the very best leisure centres in the UK.

Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said: “I’m thrilled that our efforts and the ongoing work at Ken Martin Leisure Centre have been recognised with the Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team. As a service, Active Nottingham is committed to providing accessible leisure facilities and I hope this encourages more local residents with disabilities and those with long-term health conditions to be active.”

Ken Martin Leisure Centre was recognised for working hard to ensure all demographics of the local community are welcome and find the centre accessible, which includes partnering with trusted local organisations, such as housing associations, primary care networks, social prescribing teams and mental health services.

The Sport and Physical Activity team have also been working with the community to help remove any barriers to access through campaigns such as Get Out Get Active, This Girl Can and the Disability Sport Insight and Participation project, which invited people living with a disability to try the facility for free in exchange for honest feedback.

Kirsty Worthington, General Manager at Ken Martin Leisure Centre says: “As well as proactively researching the demographics of our area so we can anticipate some of our community’s needs, we take a more holistic and individualistic appreciation of their requirements by working with partners, such as My Sight Notts, Disability Direct and the Women’s Centre, and local projects, including community-based sports groups, to directly engage with people living in the local area.

“This includes attending local meetings and events, such as community fun days, inviting groups to attend the centre and help alleviate first-time visit anticipation, as well as offering virtual tours and subtitled centre walk-through videos on our website and social media, so people know what to expect in advance.

“The area around the centre has some of the highest levels of deprivation across the UK, experiencing a number of health challenges. Added to this, the area has a mixed population of ethnicities, including new and emerging communities, a large proportion of families and single-parent families, as well as a significant population of older people.  We need to offer programmes and activities that truly cater for everyone.”

Some of the activities that ticked the boxes for the Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard assessment team include Swim for Health, a 50+ morning and line dancing classes, which all attract a diverse attendance, as well as low-intensity mental health mindfulness classes, which enable customers to learn mindfulness meditation practices to help relax, reduce stress, slow down and live their life in the present.

Along with Active Nottingham’s other leisure centres, Ken Martin also boasts CredAbility accreditation; an independent quality mark run by disabled people, and the CredAbility Access Card, a national scheme that commits organisations to providing a quality service to people with a disability. The CredAbility Access +1 card scheme also allows holders to gain free access for essential companions or carers at Active Nottingham leisure centres.

Kirsty explains: “The CredAbility Access Card acts as evidence that someone needs support to use our services or is eligible for our offers.  Not only does it mean we discreetly know they are entitled to concessionary prices and may require individual help, they know we are a verified accessible venue with their best interests at heart.”

Sarah Maxwell, Head of External Accreditations at Right Directions, which manages Quest on behalf of Sport England, says: “We were truly impressed with the investment Ken Martin Leisure Centre has made around inclusivity for its local community.  For instance, the video on the Swim School is one of the most inclusive videos I have seen as an Assessor, with information being available in picture, sound and caption formats for members of the community, users and coaches.

“All the evidence, which includes investment in Disability Training Scenario Videos and Unconscious Bias Training to help prepare staff for their roles, demonstrates the centre and organisation are quality, not quantity, driven, with a focus on individual opportunities and thought, without taking a ‘blanket approach’ to their customers’ needs.”

Active Nottingham leisure centre awarded top marks on ‘Quest’ for excellence

Active Nottingham’s Ken Martin Leisure Centre has been awarded ‘Excellent’ for its facilities and services, recognising high quality within UK Sport and Leisure.

It joins Djanogly Community Leisure Centre at the top of the rankings for 2022 – another site run by Active Nottingham, part of Nottingham City Council.

An industry standard developed by the UK Sports Council, Quest assessors look at a range of factors including operational management and approaches to engaging with customers through to community outcomes. Taking place over a two-day on-site assessment and a mystery shopper visit, the overall process ensures a thorough review takes place and provides assurances a quality service is being provided to residents.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “I’m thrilled Ken Martin Leisure Centre has been awarded ‘Excellent’ for its performance and management on the latest Quest Assessment. This is a testament to the incredible work and dedication of our front-line staff delivering best practice and the highest industry standard for the benefit of Nottingham residents using the centre.”

Ken Martin Leisure Centre General Manager, Kirsty Worthington, said: “Thank you to everyone at Ken Martin Leisure Centre and the wider Sport and Leisure teams for their assistance and support during the Quest preparation as well as the recent two-day assessment. It’s brilliant news for us all that we were rated as ‘Excellent’ as it highlights the hard work that is put into Ken Martin Leisure Centre. The hard work does not stop here, we will continue to assess, reflect and progress the site and the services we offer to Nottingham residents and customers. Great job everyone!”.

For more information about Quest, visit: https://www.questaward.org/ 

Active Nottingham operates six leisure centres across the city of Nottingham: Clifton Leisure Centre, Djanogly Community Leisure Centre, Harvey Hadden Sports Village, Ken Martin Leisure Centre, Southglade Leisure Centre, and Victoria Leisure Centre.

Visit www.activenottingham.com for more information or to find your nearest centre

Take a virtual tour of Active Nottingham without leaving your house!

A NEW virtual tour promoting the facilities of six leisure centres in Nottingham has been launched by Active Nottingham, part of Nottingham City Council.

The online tool not only allows users to see inside each Active Nottingham leisure centre but also view spaces from 360-degree angles. During the tour, potential members can gain virtual access to the facilities and visit each building from the comfort of their mobile device or computer.

Active Nottingham is much more than just a ‘gym’ with indoor swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and a range of exercise classes, there is something for everyone and the new virtual tour allows potential members to explore the layout and details prior to arrival.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said:

“I’m delighted Active Nottingham have launched their virtual tours, especially as they provide flexibility for potential members as well as those who may not be comfortable with having an in-person tour and want the freedom to view the leisure centres at their leisure.

“The tours also offer valuable information for service users wanting to understand access arrangements, where the changing rooms are, where specific rooms are for classes etc.

“Nottingham residents will benefit greatly from these tours and I hope they will inspire more people to get active.”

For more information and to view the new Active Nottingham Nottingham virtual tours, visit https://www.activenottingham.com/virtual-tour/

In-person tours are still available and can be booked by visiting www.activenottingham.com/enquire

Can this brown gal swim? The final day!

It’s the final day of Summaya’s challenge and the Brown Gal Can’t Swim podcast and if you’ve stuck with us this far, you’ll have heard Summaya talking about why she is learning to swim at 27, changing rooms within swimming facilities, modesty and swimwear, plus why you should learn to swim given the apparent dangers with water.

Summaya (in water) and Nottingham Swim School Teacher, Victoria (right)

Spoiler Alert!

Now, if you’ve not listened to the final day of the podcast series, then below are some spoilers!

Let’s rewind to a cold, wet and windy day in Nottingham and a team of supporters (plus some open water swimmers) headed to Spring Lakes to watch Summaya take on her final task – a 500m open water swim.

Spring Lakes

Summaya is putting on a brave face as she mentally prepares for the swim and kindly snaps some images with our team and is interviewed by the BBC. She’s compiled a Brown Gal Can’t Swim playlist for everyone to listen to as she counts down the time before she gets into the cold lake.

As it nears 4 pm, the nerves are kicking in – it is a miserable day weather-wise, she’s paranoid about the swans and ducks plus a lot of emotions are racing through her mind – however, her swim coaches are here (Nottingham Swim School teacher Victoria Charles and Her Spirit’s Mel Berry), plus Olympian Alice Dearing providing words of calm, encouragement and advice as she prepares to get into the water. As she pops back into the changing room for a pep talk with her brother, she decides she needs a moment alone, saying: “(I’m) feeling really nervous….I’ve got butterflies….but I’m feeling ready – let’s do this”.

Right before she gets in the water, she listens to Ella Henderson’s Ghost to help calm her.

Summaya, listening to Ella Henderson Ghost.

The time is now 4:15 pm and Summaya begins her swim, taking it in her stride, like a duck to water! She swims the first 200m using a variety of strokes and is looking strong, but then stops and it looks as though she might be struggling….. But after a few words of encouragement and advice from the boat (with one of her coaches, Mel Berry, who is following), she powers on.

All the while Summaya is in the water, there are groups of swimmers also in the lake. They join her for the last push – providing an open water swim supporter group! Everyone is on the bank cheering and shouting to Summaya for the home stretch and the sound is deafening!

Summaya, emerging victorious from Spring Lakes

At 4:39 pm, 24 minutes after she started the swim Summaya has done it! Summaya has swam 500m in open water after only learning how to swim 8 weeks ago – what an amazing achievement.

As she leaves the water, she tells the crowd (who have now gathered) “That felt like a lot. It was really really hard….eight weeks ago I literally couldn’t swim and today I’ve managed to do 500m in open water. If I can do it, and I could not swim at all, then anyone can do it! no matter how embarrassed you might feel about not having a (swimming) skill, it could save your life. with the right support and the right people around you, you can make it happen”.

Summaya and Rob Green

Can this Brown Gal Swim? She sure can and she did an incredible job! To listen to the Brown Gal Can’t Swim series in full, click here.

Get Out Get Active Nottingham has been honoured to work alongside Active Nottingham in supporting Summaya Mughal’s Brown Gal Can’t Swim campaign. The values of the project of supporting more people to be more active and overcoming the barriers faced to being active perfectly aligns with the campaign’s ambitions to address the lack of South Asian and other ethnic minority swimmers in our pools across the country.

Swimming is a fantastic activity for people of all ages and all abilities, including people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, that has multiple benefits both for our physical and mental wellbeing. However, for many who have never learnt to swim, or who have anxieties about accessing a pool, it can feel really overwhelming and can prevent people not only from accessing swimming pools but also from gaining the vital life skill of swimming and being safe in the water.

Through the GOGA project, we have worked on a number of swimming initiatives such as the development of our Swim for Health programme across the six Active Nottingham pools which provides a public swim in a quieter setting with the support of flotation aids within the pool and other supportive equipment such as gradual steps.

However we know that often the biggest barrier can often be overcoming the mental and emotional barriers and that’s why we are so inspired by the work of Summaya and her Brown Gal Can’t Swim campaign and it’s endeavour to break down the stigma around learning to swim or accessing support to enjoy swimming and we are proud to have been a partner, alongside Active Nottingham, in this work.

Well done Summaya!

Summaya (left) and Claudia from Get Out Get Active Nottingham (right) celebrating the 500m swim

If you’ve been inspired to take up swimming, get in touch with Nottingham Swim School today and see how we can help you on your own swim journey.

Brown Gal Can’t Swim: City Council helps BBC presenter to get South Asian women swimming

Summaya Mughal (left) and Alice Dearing (right). Image: Charlie Firth

Nottingham-born BBC presenter Summaya Mughal has been learning to swim at Active Nottingham pools in a bid to encourage other South Asian women to take the plunge.

Active Nottingham, part of Nottingham City Council, has supported her during her journey which she starts sharing on air this week. Her five-part series looks into learning to swim at the age of 27 and explores why many South Asian women are less likely to swim.

In revealing that she couldn’t swim, Summaya exposed the cultural barriers that she faced and how it has affected her both physically and mentally. As part of this journey, Summaya has given other members of the South Asian community the confidence to take their first steps into swimming.

As a result of her campaign, Summaya was honoured at the Nottingham Awards 2022 last week for her work in the Voluntary and Community Sector. Meanwhile, Active Nottingham, Nottingham Swim School and the council’s school swimming department have been honoured at the recent Swim England Teaching and Education Awards.

The series titled ‘Brown Gal Can’t Swim’ sees Summaya learn to swim in just eight weeks at Active Nottingham swimming pools, supported by Nottingham Swim School swimming teacher Victoria Charles. Olympians Rebecca Adlington and Alice Dearing also provide support and guidance and set Summaya additional challenges including a 500m open water swim – will she do it? You’ll have to listen to the podcast to find out.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “We’re thrilled to be a part of this project with Summaya and the BBC to help raise awareness and showcase the importance of learning to swim within South Asian communities. This campaign will go a long way to help break down barriers that people face when it comes to swimwear, changing rooms, and going swimming itself and help get more communities involved in swimming.

“Active Nottingham and Nottingham Swim School are proud to have helped Summaya learn to swim over the past eight weeks and it was great to see her face the 500m open water challenge at Spring Lakes.

“Summaya has also worked with the black swimming association to challenge the lack of representation of black and Asian people in both recreational and elite swimming – she also engaged with Olympic swimmers Becky Adlington and Alice Dearing in her campaign, who both set her challenges for Summaya to complete.

Her work with diverse communities is second to none, both engaging as well as empowering!”

The Brown Gal Can’t Swim podcast is available on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p0ctzgft It will also be broadcast as a series on BBC East Midlands Today from Tuesday 11 October 2022.

Importance of learning to swim

Reasons why you should learn to swim

• Swimming provides many health benefits by keeping your heart and lungs healthy
• Improves your strength and flexibility
• Increases stamina
• Improves balance and posture
• Increases stamina
• Swimming provides challenges and rewards accomplishments – which helps children to become self-confident and believe in their abilities
• Lastly, your child will have plenty of opportunities to make friends and grow in confidence.
• It’s the only sport that can save a life
• Swimming teaches us about water safety, not only in the water but around it too
• If taught early on in life it will help with physical development skills such as muscle tone and hand-eye coordination

According to Swim England:

• Swimming provides challenges and rewards accomplishments, which helps children (and adults) to become self-confident and believe in their abilities
• You can have the opportunity to make friends and grow in confidence

Learning to swim is a skill for life and is rarely forgotten, swimming doesn’t care about age either making it an accessible sport for all.

Brown Gal Can’t Swim: Summaya Mughal aims to get South Asian women swimming

Left to Right: Summaya Mughal and Alice Dearing. Image: Charlie Firth

Nottingham-born and raised Summaya Mughal, a BBC presenter and podcaster for BBC Radio Sounds and Radio Leicester is presenting a five-part series which explores why many South Asian women are less likely to swim.

The series, Brown Gal Can’t Swim (BGCS), will see Summaya take on swimming challenges set by Olympians Rebecca Adlington and Alice Dearing. She said: “I’ve spent over 20 years embarrassed about not having a skill it feels like kids have”.

Breaking down barriers and misconceptions

Statistics from Swim England show people from black and Asian backgrounds are less likely to swim than those from white communities, with 49% of black and Asian communities unable to swim 25m unaided.

Summaya aims to break down misconceptions about swimming and encourage members of the South Asian community to get behind her campaign and learn to swim.

About the journey itself, Summaya says: “It has tested me physically and emotionally but I’m hoping it makes a difference and encourages others to learn to swim too. After all, it could save your life.”

As part of the BGCS project Summaya is challenged to swim 50m in a swimming pool by Rebecca Adlington and 500m in open water by Alice Dearing in just eight weeks – will she do it? Keep listening to the BGCS podcast daily from Monday 10 October 2022.

Listen to Episode One of Summaya’s podcast here.

Importance of learning to swim

Did you know swimming is the only sport which could save your life, according to Swim England.

Swimming is a tremendous amount of fun for all people of all ages and children, especially, who enjoy getting into the water. But it is important to swim safely. Check out our blog for the importance of learning to swim, you can read it here.

Good luck with the campaign Summaya, Active Nottingham and Nottingham Swim School is proud to work with you on this project and we all look forward to seeing more about it in the next few days!

Active Nottingham named finalists at the Swim England Teaching and Education Awards 2022

Active Nottingham, part of Nottingham City Council, is delighted to have been named by Swim England as 2022 Awards Finalists after entering the awards for the first time.

They have been shortlisted in two categories:

• Swim School of the Year – Nottingham Swim School
• Swimming Teacher of the Year – Deborah Williams, Nottingham Swim School.

Deborah Williams was awarded ‘Runner Up’ for Swimming Teacher of the Year after being nominated by Nottingham Swim School parents and students from Djanogly Community Leisure Centre and Southglade Leisure Centre.

Deborah Williams

Additionally, Nottingham City Council’s School Swimming department came away with School Swimming Provider of the Year for the second year in a row.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “I’m delighted Active Nottingham has been successful in their efforts to become finalists at the Swim England Teaching and Education Awards 2022 in two categories. This is an incredible achievement to all the team for their incredibly hard yet rewarding work.

“Well done to Deborah Williams for achieving ‘Runner Up’ in the Swimming Teacher of the Year category. Deborah should be very proud of her achievement, as should all who were nominated.

“Congratulations also to our Nottingham City Council colleagues for winning School Swimming Provider of the Year for a second year in a row, with special thanks to School Swimming Manager, Claire Moores – well deserved.”

Nottingham Swim School Manager, Claire Sullivan, said “We’re pleased Nottingham Swim School was nominated for Swim School of the Year, alongside many of our Nottingham Swim School teachers in the Swim Teacher of the Year category.

“As a City Council delivering both school swimming (during the daytime) and Nottingham Swim School (Monday-Friday 4-6.30 pm and weekends) we are committed to teaching as many children and young people in our City to swim and to learn this vital life skill.”

Nottingham City Council School Swimming Manager, Claire Moores, said “Thank you to the Sport and Leisure teams at Active Nottingham for providing us such a fabulous learning environment for school pupils to learn new and essential life skills. How we pull together from collaboration to delivery is a real team effort, and the Swim Teachers should be very proud of the recognition of all their hard work.”

The Swim England Teaching and Education Awards 2022 took place in Solihull on Thursday 28 September and gave Swim England the chance to honour the very best of the swimming workforce within the UK. It’s a chance to highlight the innovations and achievements of the best educators, swimming teachers, tutors and swim schools within the sport and recognise their success.

For a full list of winners and finalists please visit: https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/swim-england-news/

For more information on Nottingham Swim School visit www.activenottingham.com/swim-school

Nottingham Swim School operates swimming lessons at six Active Nottingham leisure centres across the city of Nottingham: Clifton Leisure Centre, Djanogly Community Leisure Centre, Harvey Hadden Sports Village, Ken Martin Leisure Centre, Southglade Leisure Centre and Victoria Leisure Centre

National Fitness Day 2022

To celebrate National Fitness Day we’ve put together some challenges for you to have a go at when visiting Active Nottingham.

HIIT Workout

• Jumping Lunges 3 x 15
• Plank 3 x 15
• Butt Kicks 3 x 15
• Skipping 3 x 15
• Ball Slams 3 x 15
• Burpees 3 x 15

Individual Medley Swimming Challenge

• Swim all 4 different strokes including Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Front Crawl.
• Doing an individual medley will help you to figure out which are your strongest strokes and which need improvement.
• This will help you to increase your overall strength, range of movement and flexibility

Let your name pick your workout

Try this for pot luck and let your name determine your workout today

 Arm Workout

• Overhead Circles 3 x 15
• Medicine Ball Push Up 3 x 15
• Shoulder Press 3 x 15
• Lateral Raise 3 x 15
• Front Raise 3 x 15
• Bicep Curls 3 x15

From Group Fitness to Swim School

Meet Elidia, Group Fitness Instructor for Active Nottingham and now Swim School Teacher for Nottingham Swim School (part of Active Nottingham). We recently caught up with Elidia to find out about her fitness journey and what led her to become a Swim School Teacher.

Hi Elidia, thanks for catching up with us today. So…how did you get into the fitness industry?

I was originally training in the gym as a customer/service user and during that time frame, I worked in the nursery for Nottingham Nursery in Radford. I thought, being in the nursery industry I’ll always have a job, but sadly, it didn’t work out for me and I was made redundant.

I thought to myself, well I love gym training and doing fitness classes, why don’t I train to become a fitness instructor – that way I can still do my fitness and work in the gym. I completed all my required training and passed, turns out I never ended up working in the gym and jumped on fitness classes. I’m overwhelmed at how much I’ve progressed from working in a nursery to where I am now as a Swim Teacher!

How long have you worked in the fitness industry and what is your favourite class to teach?

About four years, which has gone so quick! I would definitely say Group Cycling is my favourite class to teach – which I do at Southglade but also do cover work.

I need to try Group Cycling (said in disbelief they’ve just said that – haha)

Yes, you do Carrie. Group cycling is good fun. Come along, it’s great for all abilities as we offer beginner classes and intermediate. All of my classes are designed to get your heart pumping, have fun and improve your skills. Group cycling is amazing for balance, stamina, speed and rhythm as you have to keep in time to the music – I will push you, but it’s for your benefit!

What other classes do you run?

Aqua Fit – which is literally for everyone of all ages and abilities. I also teach ladies-only aqua fit classes on a Sunday morning at Djanogly Community Leisure Centre (nice plug, we see what you did there). I have my vision and what music I’ll play in each class. I don’t want to keep my classes the same every week so I will play about with the routine and mix it up, so it doesn’t become same-old same-old. Keeps everyone on their toes! I’m also a stickler for time-keeping and starting on time so it’s fair to everyone in the class.

Also teach H.I.I.T, Circuits, Stretch and Tone (I like Stretch and Tone). I cover a lot of classes too.

You’ve done the different group fitness classes for a number of years now, what was the main reason for you wanting to become a Swim Teacher?

I was told many years ago, but the ladies I worked with in the nursery, “don’t put all your eggs into one basket”. I thought I’ve worked with children (in the nursery), so I thought I could marry the two elements together (as I also do Aqua Fit classes) and put all my skills together and become a Swim School Teacher so I can give back what I’ve learnt to teach children and help them progress.

Did you find it hard doing your Swim Teacher training?

It wasn’t easy, I found it intense (especially with still teaching group fitness classes) but at the same time my dad passed away so had a lot of emotions to cope with. I can’t believe that I’ve actually passed my Swim Teacher qualifications as I thought I was going to give up. But I believe my dad was watching over me, pushing me to complete and I’m glad I continued with it all as it’s been really rewarding. Ever time I found myself not wanting to continue with it, I would push myself more and write more lesson plans to keep focused. Nottingham City Council and the rest of the team in Active Nottingham has been so supportive and encouraging.

Would you recommend becoming a Swim Teacher?

Yes I would. I’m loving it, I’m loving this – I should have done it years ago!!!!

I hear you’ve now received your certificates now to show you’re fully qualified and raring to go.

Yessss! I have, I have received them. I have my first induction today and tomorrow and then I can start on the programme in September. I saw all the different people teaching Aqua Babies and thought yes I could do that, then they also explained you can progress with coaching and perhaps (one day) we can coach swimming for the Olympics. So I’ve gone from thinking I’ll be teaching Aqua Babies but wow, I could also do some coaching too! The opportunities with training to be a Nottingham Swim School teacher are incredible.

What’s your plan over the next few years now?

Hopefully, I can continue to teach swim school with the different age groups (including adults as well) but I’d love to coach and also become a mentor! But teaching aqua babies I’m looking forward to that, as that’s where you can build a child’s water confidence and from there they can progress through the different stages and get their different hats.

For those that aren’t aware, as people progress through the different swim school stages with Nottingham Swim School they will receive a new hat to correspond with the new stage that they’re in. Similar to different coloured belts in Judo, Karate etc. 

Thank you for your time. It’s been great hearing about your fitness journey. You’ve gone full circle from just working out in the gym to now Swim School Teacher/Group Fitness Instructor. 

If you’d like to find out more about Nottingham Swim School swimming lessons, visit www.activenottingham.com/swim-school/ 

Stretches you can do at your desk

If you’re sitting down all day in an office, you might be sacrificing your effectiveness when working out or even putting yourself at risk of injury. Continuous sitting affects certain muscles, which then tighten up over time, becoming stiff and affecting your posture and making some movements harder when working out (and in everyday life).

There is good news, you can avoid this by doing quick and easy stretches. Take a few moments out from your desk (ideally every hour if you’re not getting up and moving your body) to perform some stretches – the best bit, you can do them from your desk.

Neck Stretch

• The neck and shoulder muscles are the first to tighten up after a long day at work, so start by rolling these out.
• Sit upright with both feet flat on the floor (lower your chair if your feet aren’t flat) and your back straight. Take a few deep breaths then slowly roll your head from the left, then roll it forward with your chin to your chest, and follow this in a circle to the other side. Repeat this slowly and with control – never roll your head directly back, follow the circle pattern.
• Hold the stretch for 10-15 seconds and repeat as necessary.

Side Stretch

• Sit comfortably on a chair with your feet planted firmly on the floor. Roll the shoulders down and back to open up the chest.
• Lift your right hand up and out to the right side, and bring it in an arc above your head.
• Gently begin to lean toward the left, stretching the fingertips of the right hand over your head toward the left side. Feel a lengthening through the right side of the body. You can press the palm of the left-hand flat into the chair for balance. For a deeper stretch, you can relax the left hand down to the side of the chair and stretch the left fingertips toward the ground. Hold for 5-10 seconds or breaths.
• With an exhale, swoop your right hand in an arc over your head and back down to the right side. Relax and take a few deep breaths.
• Repeat on the left side.
• Repeat 2 to 3 times, stretching a little more with each stretch if your body will allow it.

Hamstring Stretch

• Sit on the edge of your office chair (ensure it’s a stable chair, ideally one without wheels to avoid the chair rolling from under you).
• Straighten your legs and keep your knees locked by tensing the quadriceps.
• Place your heels on the floor with your toes pointed upwards.
• Bend forward without stressing your back and reach for your toes. Try to bring your body as close to your legs as you can.
• Hold the stretch for a few seconds and repeat it 2-3 times.

Back Stretch

Perfect if your lower back is feeling tight when you’re sitting at your desk.

• While in the seated position, cross one leg over the other in a comfortable manner.
• Take the arm opposite the crossed leg and place it on the outer side of the knee.
• Twist your shoulders to face that direction and feel a stretch all through your spinal column.
• Hold for 10-15 seconds, switch sides and repeat.
• Try to take deep breaths as you do this stretch as it’ll help you to release any extra tension in your back that could prevent you from deepening the stretch.

Upper Back Stretch

• Sitting upright, place both hands together in front of your body, hands clasped together and in line with your shoulders.
• Round your upper back as you imagine a string pulling your back toward the wall behind you as you simultaneously reach forward.
• Hold for 30 seconds, feeling the muscles in your upper back and shoulders relax.
• Once you’ve finished, come out of the stretch.
• Repeat throughout the day, as necessary.

After practising these exercises, it’s important to try and create a quick office-desk stretch routine you can do daily. It should only take 3-5 minutes and is a great way at breaking up the day and doing something good for your body.

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Is there a better time of day to work out?

Are you a morning or evening person? Some people find it easier to exercise in the morning as their energy levels are at their highest, others prefer to wait until the evening as it fits better with their daily life.The time of day we choose to workout will depend on many things – ultimately it needs to fit in with everything in our lives. It needs to fit around work, studies, family and other commitments. We also need to choose times best suited to our bodies and our natural energy levels. The best time to exercise is down to us, working out whenever we can and being consistent.There are some benefits to exercising at certain times of the day, take a look below.

Morning workouts:

• Exercising first thing in the morning and on an empty stomach has been shown to burn more fat than after eating a meal. Your body tends to use up fat stores for fuel rather than using energy from the meal you just ate.
• Mood boosters – starting your day with endorphins – those “feel-good, happy hormones” can have a sustained effect on your mood for the remainder of the day.
• Being more productive – exercising in the morning can help to improve energy and concentration levels – helping you to be more alert and ultimately better and quicker at doing tasks.
• Improve your body clock over time, making you more energetic in the mornings and sleepier at night – helping you to fall asleep quickly and enjoy a better quality of sleep.

Important: if exercising in the morning don’t forget to sufficiently warm up. Your muscles and joints tend to be “colder” when you have just woken up and are more prone to injury.

Afternoon/evening workouts:

• Studies have shown most people tend to perform physically better later in the day – power, muscle strength and flexibility are normally better in the evening than in the morning.
• Your body will be warmer as your core temperature increases as the day progresses, meaning you will feel more flexible and be able to move easier than earlier in the day.
• Afternoon or evening exercise, especially at the end of a busy day may help you to relieve stress. Endorphins produced during exercise can also help you wind down before bed, especially as exercising in the evenings could replace other habits such as watching television, drinking alcohol or excessive snacking.
• Some research has suggested that testosterone production may also be higher in the evening – this hormone is important for building muscle in men and women.

Regardless of the time of day we exercise, it is still very important to ensure we warm up sufficiently.

Try to find a time to work out that suits your lifestyle – taking all aspects into consideration – but most importantly, a time that you will consistently be able to stick with in the long run.

These girls certainly can: Nottingham celebrates women’s successes in sport

Pictured: Mary Earps (England vs Austria). Image credit: Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images

Nottingham City Council has shown its support for the England Lionesses with the country’s largest flag on the Council House, and sends them congratulations on their historic win against Germany yesterday.

The England team’s incredible 2-1 victory against the eight-time European Champions at a sold-out Wembley is a huge achievement – and sets an example which will inspire girls and women today and for future generations.

Along with Notts-born goalie Mary Earps who played such a vital role throughout the Lionesses’ European Championship campaign including last night’s final, Nottingham/Nottinghamshire has a score of women taking part in the 2022 Commonwealth Games representing Team England, including Olympic silver medallist, Emily Campbell, and we wish them every success during the games.

Women’s sport is very much in the public eye at the minute and Nottingham has been looking to capture that energy. Working alongside a variety of partners such as Sport England, Nottingham Forest Community Trust and British Cycling, the council provides a comprehensive offer for women to take part in physical activity, in a way that suits them.

Working on projects such as This Girl Can since 2015, Active Nottingham, part of the City Council, has inspired thousands of women in Nottingham to take part in sports and physical activity. Whether it’s swimming at local leisure centres or women’s cricket sessions in partnership with The Renewal Trust and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, these sessions open up opportunities for girls and women – and could produce the next Euros finalist or Commonwealth Games contender.

Active Nottingham recently brought home two wins at the UK Active Awards and are finalists in the upcoming Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards for the recent This Girl Can Nottingham project (2019-2022). The project will look to return at the end of 2022, celebrating women being active in a variety of different ways.

Nottingham City Council Leader, Cllr David Mellen, said: “What an incredible achievement for the Lionesses yesterday – not only for the historic win, but also the huge legacy this will leave for the future of women’s and girls’ sport. We’re hugely proud of them, as well as the local women who are competing on the world stage at the Commonwealth Games. We will continue to promote sporting opportunities for girls and women in Nottingham to help them to reach their potential.”

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “It’s great to see the growth of women’s sport at a national level and what Nottingham is doing to support women at a more local level. To see the Lionesses win the European Championships at a sold-out Wembley would have been unthinkable five years ago and having eight Nottingham women represent England at the Commonwealth Games is a testament to the city’s sporting prowess.

“It’s great to see the effort Active Nottingham is making across the city to ensure that the energy is transferred from the screen to local provision. I’m delighted with the work taking place, and the national awards they have won and are currently finalists in. I look forward to supporting the ongoing effort made to increase the number of women taking part in physical activity.”

Notes to editors

To find out more about This Girl Can Nottingham: visit: https://www.nottsgirlscan.co.uk/

To find out more about getting into Women’s football, visit: https://www.nottinghamshirefa.com/ways-to-play/female

APSE is dedicated to promoting excellence in the delivery of frontline services to local communities around the UK). For more information on the APSE Awards, visit: https://apse.org.uk/index.cfm/apse/news/articles/2022/announcing-the-finalists-of-the-apse-service-awards-2022/

Nottingham/Nottinghamshire-born athletes:

1. Emily Campbell – Weightlifting: https://teamengland.org/team-england-athletes/emily-campbell
2. Freya Colbert – Swimming: https://teamengland.org/team-england-athletes/freya-colbert
3. Sabbie Heesh – Hockey: https://teamengland.org/team-england-athletes/sabbie-heesh
4. Anna Purchase – Track and Field (Hammer): https://teamengland.org/team-england-athletes/anna-purchase
5. Molly Renshaw – Swimming: https://teamengland.org/team-england-athletes/molly-renshaw
6. Sophie Hahn – Athletics: https://teamengland.org/team-england-athletes/sophie-hahn
7. Georgia Holt – Cycling: https://teamengland.org/team-england-athletes/georgia-holt
8. Samantha Harrison: Athletics: https://teamengland.org/team-england-athletes/samantha-harrison
9. Mary Earps – England football goalkeeper: https://www.englandfootball.com/womens-senior-team/squad/mary-earps

Active Nottingham operates six leisure centres across the city of Nottingham: Clifton Leisure Centre, Djanogly Community Leisure Centre, Harvey Hadden Sports Village, Ken Martin Leisure Centre, Southglade Leisure Centre and Victoria Leisure Centre.

Visit www.activenottingham.com for more information or to find your nearest centre

Active Nottingham leisure centre awarded top marks on ‘Quest’ for excellence

Active Nottingham’s Djanogly Community Leisure Centre (DCLC), part of Nottingham City Council, has been awarded ‘Excellent’ for its facilities and services, recognising high quality within UK Sport and Leisure.

An industry standard developed by the UK Sports Council, Quest assessors look at a range of factors including operational management and approaches to engaging with customers through to community outcomes. Taking place over a two-day on-site assessment and a mystery shopper visit the overall process ensures a thorough review takes place and provides assurances we’re providing a quality service to residents.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “I’m really proud of Djanogly Community Leisure Centre being awarded ‘Excellent’ in terms of its performance and management on its latest Quest Assessment. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our front line staff delivering best practice and highest industry standard for the benefit of Nottingham residents using the centre.”

Djanogly Community Leisure Centre General Manager, Tom Nelson, said: “Thank you to all the team at DCLC and the wider Sport and Leisure service for their help and support during the Quest preparation and the two-day assessment. It’s great we were awarded ‘Excellent’, but it doesn’t stop here, we will continue to review, reflect and continually improve the site and the service we offer to residents and customers. Well done everyone and thanks again!”.

For more information about Quest and the award, visit: https://www.questaward.org/ 

Working out in the heat

It might be hot out but we also want you to stay active but safely! So, here are some tips for keeping your cool when working out!

• Stay hydrated: Hydration is always important (see our tips for staying hydrated) but during the heat of the summer it’s even more so.

• Split up workouts: If the summer heat is too challenging for you, break the day up into multiple smaller workouts. This allows your body to rest, refuel and regain some precious energy without impacting on your fitness goals.

• Dress appropriately: Don’t be tempted to choose fashion over function, pick clothing that is lightweight, loose-fitting and lighter coloured clothes to help keep your core body temperature lower.

• Timing: Avoid the midday heat (or the hottest part of the day – as this could actually be 5 – 7 pm in some locations) when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Train early morning or in the evening if it’s cooler. If you opt to train outside, do it responsibly and don’t put yourself at risk – find some shade.

• Cover up: Make sure you’re fully protected when going outdoors, by putting on the factor 50! (A waterproof one is even better if you get really sweaty). If you burn yourself and attempt to work out, your body will struggle to cool itself, which increases the risk of skin cancer.

• Listen to your body: It will always tell you when it needs a rest or has had enough. During hotter weather, there are chances you won’t be able to exercise at the intensity you normally would, but that’s okay. The best thing to do if you’re exercising outdoors in the heat is to reduce your exercise intensity and take frequent breaks.

• If you feel/sick – stop immediately: Sit down, rest and drink plenty of fluids (if you’re outside, get to somewhere shaded). Try and get a juicy snack, like fruit. Don’t be tempted to finish your workout. Your body and health are far more important.

Spot the symptoms of heat exhaustion:

To help protect yourself and others is to spot the symptoms of heat stroke, which include:-

1. A headache
2. Dizziness or confusion
3. Excessive sweating
4. Very thirsty
5. High temperature
6. Fast breathing or pulse
7. Loss of appetite and feeling sick
8. Cramps

If you notice that someone has signs of heat stroke/exhaustion you should:

• Help them to lie down in a cool place – such as a room with air conditioning or in the shade
• Coll them down – such as a cool flannel, cold packs around the neck and armpits, or a cool, wet sheet
• Get them to drink plenty of water
• Do not give them aspirin or paracetamol – it will not help the raised temperature and may be harmful
• Stay with the person until they’re feeling better. Most people should start to recover within 30 minutes

How to stay hydrated before, during and after your workout

Ensuring we are adequately hydrated when exercising is essential – it is important to not rely on thirst alone to tell us how much to drink.

Benefits of drinking enough fluid:

• keeps our muscles working well
• helps to prevent fatigue
• promotes recovery
• replaces fluids lost through sweating.

Here are some tips to follow:

• Drink at least 2 glasses of water in the 2-hour period before your workout.
• Always have water with you when exercising – frequent sipping is better than gulping it all down at once
• Aim for around 1 glass (roughly 250ml) for every 30 minutes of exercise.
• Try and drink another glass of water in the hour following your workout.
• Although fairly difficult, it is possible to drink too much water – hyponatremia can happen when we take in more fluid than we are able to get rid of, causing blood sodium levels to become diluted and drop to dangerously low levels. You would have to drink excessive amounts of fluid (in a short space of time) for this to be an issue. Always listen to your body when exercising and don’t ignore signs such as dizziness and nausea.
• The sweat rate calculation can be a very accurate indicator of how much you need to drink following a strenuous workout:
  1. Weigh yourself before exercise – ideally first thing in the morning and after going to the toilet
  2. Weigh yourself again after exercise – also after going to the toilet
  3. For every kilogram of body weight lost (which will be fluid loss), drink around 1-1.5litres of water.

Sports Drinks:

Plain water is best for staying hydrated. Sports drinks and diluted fruit juice can be beneficial when taking part in endurance events. They will usually contain some carbohydrates as fuel as well as electrolytes to help replace those lost during longer more intense periods of exercise. As these types of drinks are sometimes costly, you could try making your own. Recipe: Add around 200ml of fruit juice or squash (not sugar-free) to 800ml of water, along with a generous pinch of sea salt.

If the taste is an important factor in helping you drink enough, diluting fruit juices or sports drinks in water is fine – especially if it means you will be keeping yourself well-hydrated.

Although other factors can influence this, a good indicator of whether you are adequately hydrated is monitoring the colour of your urine. It should ideally be a pale yellow colour, not clear.

Staying hydrated when exercising is a very important – yet too often neglected – part of ensuring we feel well and perform our best during physical activity.

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Staying Motivated

Have you ever started a fitness regime and then quit? If you answered yes, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people start fitness and wellness programmes but stop when they get bored, aren’t enjoying it or don’t see the results as quickly as they’d hoped. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated.

• Set goals: Start small and celebrate the little wins, but remember to make them realistic and achievable. You will lose all interest if your goals are too ambitious.
  • For example, if you haven’t done any exercise in a while, a small goal is to walk 10 minutes a day for five days. A bigger goal would be to talk 30 minutes a day for five days. But a longer and even bigger goal is to complete a 5k walk.
• Make it fun: Pick activities that you enjoy and vary the routine to keep it interesting. Try something different if you’re not loving your current workouts. Check out swimming for relaxation or play badminton – who knows, you might just discover a ‘hidden talent’! Remember, exercise doesn’t have to be boring – you’re more likely to stick with classes or a routine if you’re having fun.
• Make physical activity part of your everyday routine: Without even knowing it, you can increase your daily physical activity. Whether that is taking the stairs instead of the lift, or parking your car further away in a shopping centre/supermarket car park or even going for a walk during your break at work.
  • “But I work from home?” Why not stretch, walk or climb your stairs on your breaks or do some squats, lunges or even situps. If you have a dog, take them for an extra walk. Research has shown that sitting for long periods of time may negatively affect your health (even if you’re doing the recommended amount of exercise each week).
  • If you sit for several hours during the day (either at home or work), aim to take frequent breaks to get yourself moving, such as walking to get a glass of water (or tea/coffee). Try standing up when taking phone calls or even video meetings.
• Write it down: If you have goals such as losing weight, sleeping better or boosting your energy levels…….write them down or log them somewhere (try logging your goals using the Boditrax machines). Seeing your goals on paper (or digitally) will help you to stay motivated.
  • Try keeping an exercise diary by recording what you did during each physical activity session, how long you exercised and how you felt afterwards.
  • Recording your efforts help you to track your progress and also helps you on your off days to act as a reminder – you got this!
• Reward yourself: After each exercise session, regardless of what you did, take a few minutes to savour the great ‘feel-good’ feelings that come with exercising. If you really want to, you can give yourself a big treat like a pair of new trainers, a new swimsuit or training gloves.
• Go easy on yourself: If you generally don’t feel like it or you’re genuinely too busy to work out, give yourself a break and have a day or two off. Go easy on yourself, you know your body better than anyone – the important thing is to get back on track as soon as you can!

If you ever feel your motivation slipping, review these tips to remind yourself of the ‘why’.

#BeExceptional and let us help you stay motivated. At Active Nottingham you have access to 6 gyms, 6 pools, 6 health suites and over 300 fitness classes. Find out more about our memberships here.

Tips for new starters

To ensure your new fitness journey is successful, here are some tips to help you find your feet (especially if it’s your first time visiting Active Nottingham!).

1. Find out what services are available – download the Active Nottingham app and have a general nosy around.
   • Click on the “book” activity sessions to see what classes you might fancy, or what time a swim session begins. Check out the “news” section to see what has been going on or learn about the 3rd party activities taking place around the different centres
   • Join the Active Nottingham Facebook Group Community, with a page for each leisure centre you can chat to other centre users, get advice from others – they’ve all been where you are. Joining a gym, swimming pool or fitness class can feel daunting, but the community are incredibly welcoming
2. Try different things until you find something you enjoy 
   • There is no “one size fits all” programme, but try not to worry about what everyone else is doing. Try different programmes, classes and activities until you find something you truly enjoy and you’ll be motivated to stick to
3. Keep track of your training
   • Setting goals and writing them down as well as keeping track of your progress is very useful to help you to stay motivated and see how far you’ve come from where you started
   • Try a simply training diary or keep a record on a spreadsheet, or download one of the many apps on Google or Apple for doing this
   • Give the new Boditrax machines a try to help you on your fitness journey; find out what another member thought of the Boditrax machines here
4. Don’t worry about what others are doing:
   • the best tip to stay motivated is to find something that YOU truly enjoy – others at the centre may be working towards certain goals or targeting their training around their own injuries or health conditions which may not suit someone else – everyone is unique – if you are unsure, always ask a professional for advice
5. Build up gradually:
   • going from nothing to trying to train every day of the week could lead to burnout and even worse – injuries
   • Start slowly, for example twice a week and build up from there – consistency is by far the most important factor when it comes to achieving fitness goals – so rather stick with a sustainable plan than one that is difficult to maintain in the long run

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Mindfullness during exercise

Hands up if you just want to distract yourself when working out? Did you know there are so many benefits of being mindful during exercise, such as:

• reducing stress
• feeling good mentally and physically
• improving your workout performance

Not being focussed can impact the sensation of a job well done following a workout. Your workouts become less effective and you begin to rush through your routine. Embracing mindful fitness can help change this, and you might get more out of your workouts than you think.

Benefits of mindfulness during exercise

Zoning out during a workout, such as listening to your favourite playlist and moving your body through an activity you don’t have to think about (such as running or walking) can be meditative, allowing your mind to roam free whilst your body does the work.

But becoming too distracted breaks the connection to what you are actually doing. There is a flow when we are ‘in the moment’ and that provides many benefits:

• Better mental health
• Improved physical health
• Increased commitment to exercising
• Increased levels of satisfaction

How to workout with mindfulness

Active Nottingham named as Triple Finalists at the 2022 ukactive Awards

Active Nottingham, part of Nottingham City Council, are delighted to have been named by ukactive as 2022 Award Finalists after entering the awards for the first time.

They have been shortlisted in three categories – Regional Club of the Year (Harvey Hadden Sports Village), Activation Award (recognising organisations who run events to inspire and encourage people to be more active) and Physical Activity Hero Award (Charmaine Daley with This Girl Can Nottingham).

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Eunice Campbell-Clark, said: “I’m delighted to announce Active Nottingham has been successful in their efforts to become finalists at the ukactive Awards, in not one but three categories. This is an amazing achievement to all the team for the incredibly hard work they do, not just at our leisure centres, but within the community. I wish them the best of luck at the finals in June.”

Charmaine Daley will go head to head with other finalists in a public vote for the Physical Activity Hero Award. Charmaine has been involved in this Girl Can Nottingham since 2015 and more recently involved as the community motivator role, empowering and inspiring thousands of women to enjoy moving more and falling in love with their bodies through exercise.

Charmaine has a passion for helping those in need by dedicating her time to raising money for good causes through the power of Zumba; including the delivery of ‘Socially Distanced Street Zumba’ with This Girl Can Nottingham at the height of lockdown in Bulwell.

Voting opens on Monday 9 May and closes on 27 May, with the winner announced at the awards ceremony in Birmingham on 30 June 2022.

ukactive’s annual awards are the most prestigious within the physical activity sector; they recognise facilities, suppliers, operators, educational institutes, health practitioners and large corporations that have demonstrated exceptional standards in driving forward the physical activity agenda.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

For a full list of finalists within each category please visit: https://www.ukactive.com/news/finalists-revealed-for-ukactive-awards-2022/

Physical Activity Hero Award public voting link goes live on Monday 9 May until Friday 27 May 2022: https://www.ukactive.com/ukactive-awards-2022-stage-2-public-vote/

Active Nottingham operates six leisure centres across the city of Nottingham: Clifton Leisure Centre, Djanogly Community Leisure Centre, Harvey Hadden Sports Village, Ken Martin Leisure Centre, Southglade Leisure Centre and Victoria Leisure Centre.

Visit www.activenottingham.com for more information or to find your nearest centre

Active Nottingham leisure centres awarded inclusive fitness initiative mark!

Active Nottingham’s Harvey Hadden Sports Village and Clifton Leisure Centre, part of Nottingham City Council, have been awarded the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) Mark for their facilities, joining Ken Martin Leisure Centre in three of eight centres in the East Midlands and the only centres in Nottingham to have this accreditation.

The IFI programme is run by the English Federation of Disability Sport, designed to offer disabled people more choice and opportunities to enjoy the benefits of physical activity.

The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) has been established for many years, supporting leisure centres to become more welcoming and accessible environments to disabled people. Facilities across the country have been awarded the IFI Mark Accreditation. It helps leisure facilities to get more disabled people physically active.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Cllr Eunice Campbell-Clark, said: “I’m delighted that our efforts, and the on-going work of Active Nottingham has been recognised with the IFI Accreditation. I hope this encourages more disabled people and those with long term health conditions to access the centres and benefit from the facilities that are on offer.”

Clifton Leisure Centre General Manager, Kirsty Worthington, said: “As a team, we are extremely pleased to have maintained the IFI mark for another year at Clifton Leisure Centre.  It’s great to see the Centre recognised for its commitment to providing accessible services for disabled users, we certainly pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and facilities for the community and service users.”

Harvey Hadden Sports Village General Manager, Andrew Miller, said: “It’s a great achievement for the team and facility that we have been recognised and awarded the IFI Accreditation for another year. We are proud that through an external assessment process it has been recognised that we provide inclusive high-quality services and facilities to all of our visitors.”

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The number of centres in Nottingham and East Midlands were correct at the time of writing.

For more information about the IFI programme and the English Federation of Disability Sport visit:

• https://www.activityalliance.org.uk
• https://www.activityalliance.org.uk/how-we-help/programmes/65-inclusive-fitness-initiative

Active Nottingham operates six leisure centres across the city of Nottingham: Clifton Leisure Centre, Djanogly Community Leisure Centre, Harvey Hadden Sports Village, Ken Martin Leisure Centre, Southglade Leisure Centre and Victoria Leisure Centre.

Visit www.activenottingham.com for more information or to find your nearest centre

Carrie checks out Boditrax

I spotted the new Boditrax machine in the gym at Harvey Hadden before going to my Aqua Fit lesson, and thought it was the perfect time to take my scan, before my exercise session.

What is Boditrax I hear you ask?

In simple terms, it looks like a mechanical scale with hand and feet scanners as well as a touch screen. It measures 20 different metrics related to your body to tell you how healthy your body really is.

How do I use Boditrax?

It was such a simple process; in and out of the gym within 2-3 minutes, so it didn’t impact my day or workout session. As it was my first time using the machine, I needed to set up a free account (this is so you can log into the app or the website afterwards and track/view the results). So I added my details and then it told me to take my shoes and socks off and stand on the machine. You follow the pretty simple onscreen instructions and after 30-50 seconds you’re done and you can view your results on the kiosk screen or you can view them when it’s convenient for you as the results are emailed to say it’s captured the scan.

I also downloaded the free Boditrax app, this is pretty important so you can track your results.

Downloading the app

You can download the Boditrax app from the App Store or the Google Play store or via the QR code on the poster on the machine; please note, you need to set up an account via the Boditrax machine before using the app.

What would I use Boditrax for?

If like me you want to track your body weight and muscle mass you have, this is perfect for you. But it doesn’t just do that. See below what else it tracks:

• Body composition;
  • Water – advises how much water you have inside and outside your muscles. In my case, my levels are shown as green so I’m maintaining a healthy balance.
  • Fat – shows where I have the highest/lowest fat levels, which will help to guide my workout goals to reduce the overall fat in these areas. Obviously body fat is vital to body bodily functions so it’s important to not go overboard.
  • Muscle – as your muscle mass increases, your energy consumption increases which accelerates your BMR (helping you to reduce excess body fat levels and lose weight in a healthy way) wording taken from the Boditrax app. 
  • Bone – this feature indicates the amount of bone (bone mineral level, calcium or other minerals) in the body (wording from Boditrax app
• Scanning results;
  • BMR – Basal Metabolic Rate is the minimum level of energy your body needs when at rest to function. Increasing my muscle mass through strength training will speed up my BMR meaning I will be burning more calories at rest than a person with a low BMR. Time to hit the gym 😊
  • Visceral fat rating – this one was quite important to me as I wanted to know how much internal stomach fat I have, especially the amount of fat around the muscles in this area. My  rating was on the healthy range indicated by the green dots (between 1 – 12), so was pleasantly pleased with this but I know I want to improve on this as excess visceral fat is associated to type 2 diabetes.
  • Metabolic age – Basically calculates my BMR and the average age with that type of metabolism. So if your metabolic age is higher than your actual age (like mine :D) then it’s an indication you need to improve your metabolic rate.
  • Muscle score – Calculates the amount of muscle in an individual body and gives you a score. The higher the score the higher the muscle content in your body (I need to improve mine but I’m happy with it as I’ve not done a huge amount of exercise lately). Average score is 12.
• Goals – for me I’m tracking my muscle mass and body weight – but you can track up to 6 goals if you wish.

How often should I use Boditrax?

Boditrax recommends using the machine no more than once a week and this is the really important bit – scan yourself prior to exercising, not after and make sure you take your shoes and socks off to get the most accurate reading possible.

Final thoughts?

I loved the information available from the quick scan and can now track my progress and will visibly see the results and know what to target my workouts to. Definitely recommend using the Boditrax machine.

Check in with next month to see how I’m doing with my goals, eek!

***Boditrax machines are available for use at Harvey Hadden Sports Village. It is also available on a roadshow at Djanogly Community Leisure Centre for 3 months, where it will then move to another Active Nottingham leisure centre. Refer to the Boditrax website page for details of when it’ll move next!***

Why do I need swimming goggles?

Swimming goggles are specially designed to allow you to see underwater and to protect the eyes from the chemicals in the water, such as chlorine. Goggles are watertight (if you’ve fitted them correctly) by making an air pocket around the eye and stopping water from getting inside and irrtating the eyes when swimming.

What are the benefits for wearing goggles you ask?

• Protection – when swimming without goggles, eyes may look red and itchy; which are caused by chemicals within the water designed to keep the pool clean and sanitary. Chlorine is not good for our delicate eyes and can harm them, so it’s best to wear swimming goggles for protection and to prevent them from drying out.
  • “What if I wear glasses?” Prescription swimming goggles are available for those who need them – best to speak to your optician about these.
• Vision – swimming goggles have a watertight design helping us to open our eyes underwater, which also gives us water confidence as we can see what we’re doing (especially if you are learning to swim so you can avoid a rogue foot or hand).
• It’s fun! – Wearing goggles and swimming underwater provides confidence and also makes swimming a lot more fun.

Children and goggles 

If your little one hasn’t worn goggles before, get them to try them on at home for the first time as it’s a familiar environment for them. If you can, try to get them to wear them in the bath or the shower, that’ll help them to realise goggles keep the water out of their eyes. Before you know it, they’ll be dunking their head underwater the next time you’re in the pool!

If you or your little one is learning to swim, Nottingham Swim School students are encouraged to wear swimming goggles when having their lessons (or if you’re taking part in lap or competitive swimming it’s just a good idea).

Don’t delay, pick up some goggles today!

This Girl Can – Samiah’s Story

Introducing – Samiah Haleem

Samiah Haleem is an outstanding ambassador of ‘This Girl Can’ and through the campaign, she has become a pioneering leader in increasing growth and participation in Women & Girls Cricket in The Renewal Trust area in Nottingham.

With the support of This Girl Can Nottingham and The Renewal Trust, Samiah organised a Women’s Cricket softball festival in St Ann’s and was able to attract a total of 85 attendees.

Through weeks of organising and recruiting as many women as she could, Samiah’s hard work paid off. She is now exploring how we can keep these women active.

Background

I am a British Afro-Asian (Indian-Kenyan-Pakistani with a combination of Sikh Punjabi and Turkish ancestry!) Although multi-heritage, now of Islamic faith. I was prematurely born as my mother went for a routine check whilst my father went off to play his cricket match!

My first cricket experience: My father Abdul Haleem Chaudhri and his brother Salahudin Chaudhri strived and formed a cricket club for Asian men. They were key founders/presidents of the Asian Cricket Club in the London borough of Waltham Forest in the early 1970s. Their brother Shakil Chaudhri and cousin Khalid Chaudhri later progressed to captain the team for many years playing in Essex cup leagues and internationally.

Passion for cricket

I used to watch hours and days of test cricket matches with my dad when I was young. With the favourite time being World Cup cricket. I understood patterns and band and pretty much became the scoring pundit much to everyone’s annoyance when it was going against us.

A shift in focus at college and university took me away from physical sports with very little free time. The thrill and love for watching T20 developed again and was enjoyed immensely through multiple pregnancies.

Dream big/city programmer activator project

I had heard Ian Dipaola the participation and growth officer on RadioDawn talk about walking cricket, disability cricket and how inclusive cricket is in Nottinghamshire County.

I had then seen an Allstars activator with the children at Trentbridge from the audience in May 2019. I was inspired by seeing an active sporty hijabi participating in cricket in a modest-looking way. As the law of attraction would have it I met Asma Ajaz-Ali two months later face to face via the Muslim community Organisation callout for volunteers.

Ironically at a time when I was experiencing aversion around my hidden disabilities/altered abilities (and not able to make chapattis due to my Asthma), I was lucky to meet all three of my local City Programmes Executives and to get training from Shilly Pancholi and Hina Mistry, who were all really accepting, and encouraging my involvement in the Allstars programme.

They gave me the validation I didn’t even realise I sought at the time. I was invited to a crikitty party at Edgbaston cricket ground, it was fun and liberating being part of the Desi women programme.

I love to skill-share and have run creative education and learning workshops for years. When I got bored of my delivery (pun intended) I became a sublime science presenter and did science parties for children. I was known as ‘Artist Aunty’. They now call me’ cricketwaliaunty’.

I naturally morphed and dived into the deep end and co-led the Allstar sessions in Nov 2019. They were split into 4 weeks of female delivery and 4 weeks of male delivery. Lots of women told me they felt reassured leaving their daughters at a female-led session. My input felt needed. My children helped with setting up and clearing the sessions and picking up the balls for me. Team effort!

I went on to start the Youth Mental Health First Aid Course and attained an ECB level 1 foundation course in coaching in January 2020. I joined a women’s softball session for my own re-development and led a session when the coach could not make it.

Then we were hit with the lockdown. I managed to join the Chai and chat monthly zoom sessions and felt connected. I was also given access to an empowerment course and Microsoft workshops. I requested to shadow the softball sessions at my children’s local cricket club Cavaliers & Carrington where the respected coaches were really welcoming.

As a result of my presence, parents felt confident leaving their girls at the sessions. I am looking forward to having more cricketing experiences with my daughters as well as my son’s IA.

I have become a self-appointed calling card to the programme and have shared the benefits with other ladies as I believe one should “Love for others what you love for yourself” sunnah of prophet Muhammad saw pbuh.

I have invited multi-faith groups from my community to have access to the Allstars and Dynamos programme. I am now a recognised community champion in Nottingham City for the Dream Big Desi Women Programme.

We’ve recently done allstars and Dynamos training for the new cohort, and supported a Dynamos session at a school with special guests – Trent Rockets players Katherine Brunt and Abbie Freeborn. The programme has allowed this Desi woman to Dream Big and attend a soft ball tournament at Lord’s! It was exhilarating! I have developed new contacts and shared big moments with the network. It’s been amazing!

In the stars

My connection with cricket is a connection with my memory of my father, he is right there with me every time I do the Abdul Haleem Chaudhri-esque hypnotic mantra ‘Look at the ball. Look at the ball. Keep your eyes on the ball. Look at the ball…’

Love you Dad – hope to play cricket with you when we meet in heavenIA🤲🏼🙏🏼🏏

The Oye family of Clifton discover a new talent for Table Tennis!  

Maureen goes back to Ken Martin

Claire Henson Blog – Stay Safe, Stay Active, Start Small

“Hello! I hope you are all keeping safe and well. Let me introduce myself, my name is Claire and I am a Mental Health First Aid England Instructor, founder of The Mind Map project and The Anxious Exercise Club and, programme lead for the Tricky to Talk programme at Nottingham Forest Community Trust.

I also live with a long-term anxiety condition which I manage day-to-day. Back in 2015, I had a relapse in my long term anxiety condition, which made leaving my home very difficult. Some days, it took all my strength to walk to the car to be able to go to work, and that did not leave me very productive for the rest of the day! I knew that activity and exercise were good for me and that it would ease the symptoms of my mental ill-health. But the anxious voice in my head was a lot louder when telling me that the outside was scary and there was no point in even trying.

Towards the end of 2015, I became more and more unwell, with long-term pain, muscle stiffness and overwhelming fatigue. I was referred to the hospital and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I was given guidance on how to manage my condition and one of the overwhelming pieces of advice was to do more activity. I knew I had to listen to the doctors, but I also still had the anxious voice.

So I made a compromise. I walked to the post box and back. It was about 500 yards and I started doing it once a day. Then I walked to the church just next to the postbox and then onto the bench. Every week, I added a small chunk onto my walk and it didn’t feel unmanageable, even the anxious voice quietened down. I began a circuit each evening, I simply did three or four rounds of the circuit.

This simple activity allowed me to rebuild my life. It wasn’t instant, there wasn’t a miracle cure. I still live with a long term anxiety condition that I manage each day. But I do experience the benefits of what activity can bring to my life and how it helps me to manage my anxiety.

The reason I am talking about this today is that I am finding myself in a very similar situation as we live in the current lockdown situation. I’ve found exercising very difficult due to fear and anxiety. So I wanted to take some time to talk about getting active whilst living with a mental health condition and whilst living in lockdown.

Today, I went for a small walk.

It took some bargaining with the anxious voice, but I felt able to get up a little earlier and take a few steps outside. It wasn’t about distance or the number of steps I completed, it was about breathing and feeling the sunshine. It was about letting my whole body know that whilst these are extremely frightening times, these few small steps can benefit our mental wellbeing and help us to get through this time.

There is lots of information out there currently about how we can get active in our homes, which is fantastic. But it can also be overwhelming, so I hope this post, and future ones, will let you know you are not alone.”