|
Family Focused Services set to Flourish
in Ashton
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) are putting families first in
Ashton-in-Makerfield. In a new drive to get people across Wigan Borough
physically, mentally and creatively active, through the Getting Wigan
Active initiative, the Trust is determined to ensure family-focused
services flourish at a very local level. This has been demonstrated
recently in some of the initiatives within the Ashton area.
A prime example of how the Trust are striving to put families first is the
much debated decision as to whether skateboarding should be included in
Alexandra Park. A well-articulated case has been put forward by
enthusiastic young skateboarders within the town, with the Trust receiving
a petition of over 100 signatures and regular e-mails from young people in
support of the facility.
At Monday night’s Ashton/Bryn Township Forum, Rodney Hill, Chief Executive
of WLCT, explained that the Trust had been so impressed with the
enthusiasm and support for the scheme in Ashton from young people that
they were going ahead with raising funding for the scheme. Rodney said, “I
think it is important that all our services are targeted at all age ranges
within the family. The advice we received from the Royal Society for the
Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is that Alexandra Park would be an ideal
location for a skateboarding facility, complementing the range of other
provision.”
“The immediate local residents have expressed concerns, but our
consultation indicates that, across the community of Ashton, there is
support for this. The Trust’s agreement to include the skateboard facility
is on the condition that we will offer an opportunity for local residents
to meet with young skateboarders, whom we hope, will reduce their
concerns,” continued Rodney. “Once the facility is installed, we will
review the situation after a year to see how it develops.”
In a recent study by Sport England it was discovered that only 25% of 16
to 24 year-olds participate regularly (three times a week) in physical
activity. It is thought that ‘extreme sports’ and skateboarding in
particular appeals to this particular age group, because unlike mainstream
sports, skateboarding doesn’t require a fixed structure of teamwork and
practice.
Rodney Hill points out, “I think it is important that children and young
people are integrated into the life of the community. There was a notion
that skateboard facilities should be remote from other community
provision. I think this is a prime example of how young people are being
marginalised.”
Getting Wigan Active is about much more than just this one issue, it is
about improving the opportunity to get active for all members of the
family. The Freestyle (free-swimming for 16 and under initiative) has been
an amazing success since its launch in April this year. The number of
child swims across the Borough is up by 24,000 (45% increase on 2004)
since its launch. Adult swimming has also seen an upturn with 5,000 more
swims taking place, an 8% increase on 2004.
This family focus is further demonstrated in the approaching refurbishment
of Ashton Library. The refurbishment of the facility, together with the
introduction of the new Explore brand (successfully established at
Golborne library) will breathe life into an ageing library and will
provide families, adults, children and young people with learning
opportunities in a more appropriate and invigorating environment. Ashton
Library will also be opening on Sundays to encourage families to visit the
library at a more convenient time for them.
“I am delighted that we have been overwhelmingly supported by the people
of Ashton for these initiatives and only disappointed that a very small
but vocal minority seem to be so prejudiced against young people,”
summarised Rodney.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For further information on this News Release please contact Chris Dunbar,
Public Relations Officer, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942 486937
or at c.dunbar@wlct.org
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support
Leisure and Cultural facilities, initiatives and events for 300,000
residents across the Wigan Borough.
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is WLCT’s vision to ensure that
people across the Wigan Borough have the opportunity to become more
physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase
community activity and to encourage good citizenship.
►
Return to Trust News
|