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The Young Actioneers are here
A new group has been set up for young lovers
of the great outdoors.
The Young Actioneers is giving teenagers the skills and qualifications
to lead sessions in sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, mountain biking,
archery and other outdoor activities.
Young people can gain accreditation on the project from organisations
like the British Canoe Union and the Royal Yachting Association.
The group has been set up by the Wigan Council Children and Young
People’s Services (CYPS) Outdoor Education Team, thanks to a grant from
Sport England via SHAPE (Sport, Health and Physical Education), the
multi-agency programme launched in September last year to improve the
health, well-being and quality of life for residents of the borough.
Young Actioneers Co-ordinator Wayne Platt says: “This is a fantastic
opportunity for young people to take part in exciting activities held at
some of the most beautiful places in the borough. It looks great on the
CV of anyone who is thinking about a career in outdoor leisure.
“I will be recruiting young people and devising and delivering training
courses for the project. We’ve already signed up twenty five young
people and we’re looking to get more involved.”
In return for being given training and the opportunity to gain
accreditation, the Young Actioneers will volunteer at CYPS Outdoor
Education Team events like the Haigh Hall Triathlon and the Mayor’s
Charity Abseil down the side of Wigan’s Quality Hotel.
As a former CYPS Outdoor Education Team volunteer himself, Wayne Platt
knows that giving some of your time to learn other people outdoor
activities can be of real benefit.
Wayne says: “I first got involved in this type of work by doing the Duke
of Edinburgh’s Award. I then did an instructor training course and that
led to some seasonal work with the Outdoor Education Team. That
experience was crucial to me getting this post.
“The Young Actioneers is great exercise, it’s a good way to meet like
minded people and it’s a whole lot of fun. All young people with an
interest in outdoor sports are welcome to come along and give it a go.”
The Young Actioneers is open to anyone aged 13 to 21 living in Wigan
Borough. For more details contact Wayne Platt on (01942) 769813 or email
plattwayne@wigan.gov.uk
The key partners in SHAPE are Wigan Council, Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust, Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust and Wigan Borough
Sports Council. Together they want to see the number of people taking
part in regular physical activity in the borough increase by 3,000 a
year for the next five years.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Sport and Heath Manager Nick Colledge
said: “Through the SHAPE Policy we are keen to ensure that people of all
abilities get the opportunity to take part in sport and physical
activity. This is exactly the sort of scheme that can make a real
difference to getting more people active in Wigan Borough”
To find out more about SHAPE telephone 01942 488481 or visit
www.wlct.org/SHAPE
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Notes to Editors
Photo opportunity
• The Young Actioneers and project co-ordinator Wayne Platt are
available to photograph upon request. Please contact Kennedy Stewart,
Young People’s Press Officer at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, on
(01942) 486927 to arrange a photo opportunity.
Further information
• For further information please contact Kennedy Stewart on (01942)
486927.
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