While our usual routines have been vastly disrupted due to the continuing Level 5 restrictions, the pandemic has also enabled us to open up to a new virtual world and remain as a strong community, ensuring that members are at the heart of everything we do.
To help our members maintain a healthy routine during lockdown, IWA Sport set up ‘Staying Active’, an online community where people can join a range of accessible physical, social and educational events using Microsoft Teams and Facebook. Staying Active provides a safe place where everyone can take part in regular exercise, keep in contact with others, engage in a support network, and gain knowledge.
The initiative first began in January 2021 when we ran a hugely successful Operation Transformation. We were thrilled to see so many people joining us for online gym classes, yoga and supporting each other to stay active. Staying Active has quickly grown into a number of opportunities for people to join us including:
214 members have joined our Staying Active group so far, with different activities taking place each month. In March, participants completed 600 minutes of physical activity challenge.
This was to encourage people to do at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week, a physical activity guideline. We introduced 10 minute live sessions on Facebook each weekday, including weights, gym exercises and seated yoga.
